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CAPSIZE - To turn over.
CAPSTAN - A machine that moves a cylindrical device on
a shaft for the purpose of hauling up an anchor.
CAST OFF - To let go.
CATAMARAN - A twin-hulled boat, with the hulls being
side-by-side.
CHINE - The intersection of a boat's bottom and side. If
this intersection is rounded, it is a "soft" chine. If the
intersection is squared off, it is a "hard" chine.
CHOCK - 1. A fitting or hole in a railing or deck through
which a mooring or anchor line is routed. 2. A wedge
used to secure an item in place.
CIRCUIT BREAKER - A device used to interrupt an elec-
trical circuit when current flow exceeds a predetermined
level.
CLEAT - A double-ended deck fitting to which lines are
secured; usually anvil-shaped.
COAMINGS - Raised lips around cockpits or hatches
used to keep water from entering
COCKPIT - An exposed deck area (usually aft) that is
substantially lower than the adjacent deck.
COMBER - A wave on the point of breaking. A comber
has a thin line of white water on its crest, known as "feath-
ering."
COMPANIONWAY - The steps or ladder leading down-
ward from a deck.
COMPARTMENTS - Rooms divided by bulkheads.
COUNTER - The overhang at the stern of a boat.
CRADLE - A framework, generally made of wood, used to
support a boat when it is out of the water.
CREST - The top of a wave, breaker or swell.
CUDDY - A small sheltered cabin in a boat.
CURRENT -1. The movement of water, 2. The flow of elec-
trical charge.
DEAD AHEAD - Directly in front of the boat.
Vista 248/268 Owner's Manual
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DEAD RECKONING - A plot of courses steered and dis-
tances traveled through the water.
DECK - A permanent covering over a compartment, hull
or any part thereof.
DINGHY - A small, open boat used for ship to shore trans-
portation.
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
Glossary
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