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DISPLACEMENT - The weight of water dislocated by the
hull of a vessel.
DISPLACEMENT HULL - A hull that "displaces" a volume
of water equal to the weight of the boat. A hull designed
to run in the water rather than on top of the water. When
a displacement hull moves through the water, it pushes
that water out of the way. Water will then flow around the
hull and fill the "hole" the boat leaves astern.
DOCUMENTED VESSEL - Documented yachts have
been specially registered with the U.S. Coast Guard. All
documented yachts must have their name and home (hail-
ing) port marked on some conspicuous place on the hull.
Numbering is not required. Advantages include legal au-
thority to fly the yacht ensign, privilege of recording bills
of sale, and other instruments of title with federal officials,
and preferred status for mortgages. Documentation does
not exempt the unit from any State or Federal taxes. All
safety and equipment regulations still apply.
DOLPHIN - A group of piles driven close together and
bound with wire cables into a single structure.
DRAFT - 1. The depth of a boat from the actual water line
to the bottom of the lowest part of the boat (e.g., the
propeller tip or rudder). 2. The depth of water necessary
to float a boat.
DROGUE - Any device streamed astern to check a vessel's
speed, or to keep its stern up to the waves in a following
sea.
DYE MARKER - A brightly colored chemical that spreads
when released into water; normally used to attract atten-
tion.
EBB TIDE - A receding tide.
EVEN KEEL - To be floating evenly without listing to ei-
ther side.
EXHAUST SYSTEM - The means by which the hot en-
gine (or generator) exhaust gases are moved from the
engine to an outboard port and then released into atmo-
sphere.
EYE SPLICE - A permanent loop spliced in the end of a
line.
FAST - Said of an object that is secured to another.
Vista Owners Manual
10/93
FATHOM - Six feet.
FENDER - A device (usually constructed of rubber or plas-
tic) positioned so as to absorb the impact between ves-
sels or dock.
FETCH - The unobstructed distance that the wind can
blow over the water to create waves.
FLARE - 1. Outboard curve of the hull as it comes up the
side from the waterline; the reverse of tumble home. 2. A
pyrotechnic device used for emergency signaling.
FLAT - A small deck that is built below decks, specifically
to support a piece of equipment.
FLEMISH - To coil down a line or rope on deck in a flat,
circular, concentric arrangement.
FLOTSAM - Floating wreckage, trash or debris.
FLUKE - The palm of an anchor.
FOAM CREST - The top of the foaming water that speeds
toward the beach after a wave has broken, commonly
referred to as "white water."
FOLLOWING SEA - A sea (waves) moving in the same
direction as a vessel.
FORE-AND-AFT - A line, or anything else, that runs par-
allel to the longitudinal center line of a boat.
FOREFOOT - The portion of a vessel's keel that curves
upward to meet the stem.
FOREPEAK - A compartment in the bow of a boat.
FORWARD - Toward the bow.
FREEBOARD - The minimum vertical distance from the
surface of the water to the gunwale.
FREQUENCY - The number of crests passing a fixed
point at a given time.
FRONTS - Where opposing warm and cold air masses
meet, generally producing a band of wet, stormy weather
wherever they meet.
GALLEY - The kitchen area of a boat.
Section Q
Page 7
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