Table of Contents
Advertisement
GALVANIC CORROSION - A potential electrical difference
exists between dissimilar metals immersed in a conduc-
tive solution (e.g., salt water). If these metals touch or
are otherwise electrically connected, this potential differ-
ence produces an electron flow between them. The at-
tack on the less corrosion resistant metal is usually in-
creased and the attack on the more resistant metal is
decreased, as compared to when these metals are not
touching.
GANGWAY - The area of a ship's side where people board
and disembark.
GASKET - A strip of sealing material, usually rubber, set
along the edge of a water or gas tight door, port, cover or
hatch.
GELCOAT - The thin outer layer of pigmented plastic cov-
ering a fiberglass vessel.
GLAND - The movable part of a stuffing box, which when
tightened, compresses the packing.
GROUND - Electrical term meaning the electrical poten-
tial of the earth's surface, which is zero.
GROUND SPEED - A vessel's speed made good over
the earth's surface along a course or track.
GROUND TACKLE - The anchor, anchor rodes, and other
fittings that are used to secure a vessel at anchor or
dockside.
GUNWALE - 1. The line where the upper deck and the
hull meet.
2. The upper edge of a boat's side.
HALYARD - A line used to hoist a flag or pennant.
HATCHES - Cover on hatchways.
HATCHWAYS - Access ways through decks.
HARDTOP - A permanent cover over the cabin or cockpit.
HAWSER - A heavy rope or cable used for mooring or
towing.
HEAD - A toilet or lavatory area.
HEADING - The direction that a vessel is going with refer-
ence to true, magnetic, or compass north.
Vista Owners Manual
10/93
HEADWAY - The forward motion of a vessel through the
water.
HEAVE TO - To bring a vessel up in a position where it
will maintain little or no headway, usually with the bow
into the wind.
HEAVY WEATHER - Stormy weather with high seas and
strong winds.
HEEL - To tip to one side.
HELM - The wheel or tiller that manually controls the boat's
steering system.
HELMSMAN - The individual steering the vessel.
HIGHS - A center of pressure surrounded by lower pres-
sure on all sides. Caused by a mass of cooler, sinking,
drier air. This raises the area ground level air pressure
and provides clear skies.
HULL - The main body of a boat.
INBOARD - 1. From either the port or starboard side of a
boat toward the fore-and-aft centerline of a boat. 2. The
dock side of a moored boat.
INLAND RULES - Nautical "Rules-of-the-Road" that ap-
ply in U.S. lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.
INTERNATIONAL RULES - Nautical "Rules-of-the-Road"
that are in effect by international agreement to the high
seas.
ISOBARS - Lines of equal air pressure that connect all
the local points on a weather map. These lines are usu-
ally closed and define high or low pressure air masses.
ISOTHERMS - Isotherms are lines that are similar to Iso-
bars except that Isotherms connect all the points that
are of equal temperature.
JETSAM - Refuse that sinks when discharged overboard.
KEDGE(S) - One or more anchors set out from a grounded
vessel, usually astern, to 1) keep it from being driven fur-
ther aground and 2) to aid in refloating.
KEEL - 1. The centerline of a boat hull bottom running
fore and aft, 2. The backbone of a vessel.
Section Q
Page 8
Advertisement
Table of Contents
