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Sailing
Questions about wind-propelled water vessels, their maintenance, handling and rules governing their use.
2,485 Questions
Answer 1
Gererally, a nautical rope is called a 'line' unless it has a specific function. The word "rope" is not typically used in the marine industry.
A 'halyard' is a line used as a hoist (as for a sail).
A 'sheet' is a line used to trim a sail.
'Tackle' is a collection of lines and blocks ("pulleys") used to gain mechanical advantage.
'Rode' is the line connecting an anchor to the boat. Usually it's part chain and part line.
Springs and breast lines are used to tie a boat to a dock.
A snubber is a short piece of nylon line used to provide some elasticity to a loaded line.
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Answer 2
A rope used at sea that will not degrade chemically under the action of water and Sun.
In commercial use for mooring and towing, polypropylene is the type of rope use most commonly because it is cheap and it has some elasticity.
For ropes that must not be elastic, like the shrouds supporting a mast, kevlar is a good alternative to steel.
What does it mean when displacement is talked about in sailboats?
Simply put, the displacement of any boat is the amount of water the hull displaces when it floats. The weight of the water being displaced will be equal to the weight of the boat...assuming it's still floating, that is.
What does a green buoy mean if you were boating?
Green bouys are on the port side of the channel IF you are returning from sea (moving upriver) hence the maxim, "Red/Right/Returning" known in sailing parlance as the 3 R's.
How many people can a topsail schooner carry?
The short answer would be that it depends. On quite a few factors. Not the least of which is size. A 15' topsail schooner could carry 1-3, a 150' would obviously carry more. The terminology "topsail schooner" only refers to the ship's sail plan, and can therefore be a ship of any size. And while this typically refers to a ship with two masts, the term has also been applied to those with more than two.
However assuming we knew the size then it depends on the layout of the ship. How open is the deck, what are the sleeping accommodations ect. If the ship is designed almost exclusively for day sailing it can obviously carry more people than if it was designed with cabins for each of its passengers.
As an example, the 148' Windy II (Could be called a Topsail Schooner, but it is technically a Barquentine) can accommodate 150 passengers for chartered cruises.
But in comparison, the 143' Bluenose II (Not a topsail schooner, just a regular schooner) only accommodates 75 passengers.
Anyways, I'm sorry that it isn't probably the answer you wanted, but I do hope that it at least helps!
The term "yacht" is used to designate a pleasure boat as opposed to a working boat. It can be used in reference to a power boat or a sail boat.
One type of compass is a magnetic or electronic device that shows the cardinal directions by indicating North (Magnetic or True). It is used for finding directions.
Another type of compass can also be known as "dividers", depending on whether or not they contain a pencil. They look like two sticks joined together at one end with a hinge. This allows the points of the sticks to spread or close. This device is used to measure distances on maps or charts & for plotting courses. The type with a pencil is used for drawing circles.
See the Related Link(s) listed below for more information:
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A compass (singular) is used to find direction and location (the latter by plotting intersecting bearings on the map).
[A pair of] compasses (plural) is not the same as dividers. Compasses have a pencil or pen for drawing circles & arcs; dividers have two sharp steel points.
Keel
Can furling jibs or mainsails be used partly unfurled or must they be fully opened or closed?
In the case of most offshore yachts, yes, they can be "reefed" (furled and tied down) to reduce the amount of surface area exposed to the wind. However this does depend on the type of furling gear used, some (mostly jibs) can only be used fully unfurled (In general a solid forestay is required for a roller-reefing jib.)
What was probably a common destination for ships sailing to Constantinople?
By definition, Constantinople.
What does a halyard raise and lower on a sail boat?
The halyard raises or lowers the sails. The term comes from "haul yards" as in hauling yards of sail.
What do white lights mean when encountering another vessel in reduced visibility?
It depends on the configuration seen. There are different lights visible depending on the relative headings of the vessels and relative sizes etc.
How can you find out if a boat hull is strong enough for a roller trailer?
I am assuming this is a sail boat, ski boat (jet boat). If the boat is made by a manufacturer the the hull will be strong enough. If the boat was made privately, the hull would be laid with plywood, then fiberglassed as a sealant strengthener.
If you have an outboard motor on the transom, this must be well supported by "bungs" (which are the two pads at the back of the trailer.
Most of the weight should be on the center-line (keel of the boat) and the rest should also be supported by the rollers.
Why cant you put dimples on sail boat hulls?
"Can't" & "should not" are two different things- the dimples will increase the friction of the water, lowering the efficiency of the hull. If you think it looks nice on your boat, there is nothing stopping you. To my somewhat limited knowledge, there's no law against it!
What are Holders on a gunwale of a boat?
Eyelets, cleats and oarlocks all are fittings made fast to the gunwales.
Why might arab traders sailing the indian ocean prefer to sail their ship toward india in july?
Arab traders sailing the Indian ocean in their sailing ships preferred to travel during the months of June and July because they were the prevailing months of monsoon winds; that is why they are called trade winds.
How does a sail make a boat move faster?
It captures the available wind power, putting it to use in moving the boat. The sail interupts the wind in it's course, and naturally moves forward. As the sail is attached to a mast which itself is attached to the boat, it drags the boat along with it.
A little more...The above is most accurate when running before the wind. Sails on almost all points of sail except running act more like a wing than a parachute, creating a low pressure zone in front of the sail (which sailors, pilots, and aerodynamic types call "Lift"). This low pressure zone sucks the wing or sail forward or up. The boat is indeed pulled in that vector, either at the points of attachment to a mast or a stay.What are the three main points of sailing?
There are far, far more than three main points when sailing.
What is the Triangular sail furthest forward on a vessel called?
The most forward sail is normally called a jib.
On vessels with more than one jib, the names of the jibs (from forward to aft) are: Flying jib, Outer jib, Inner jib and Fore (topmast) staysail.
What is the difference between a sailboat outboard motor and conventional outboard motor?
An outboard motor made specifically for sailing has 3 major differences. First, the lower section is built to a much stronger standard, and typically can be seen because it will be much wider as compared to a powerboat outboard. The reason for this is that a sailboat outboard is built to not "kick up" so it must be able to withstand minor strikes without damage. The second reason, it has no "kick up" - this is because a sailboat motor has to be able to power fully in both forward and reverse, and powering in reverse with a powerboat outboard will result in the motor lifiting the propeller up and out of the water becuase it is allowed to kick-up. Third, the sailboat outboard will allow the motor to go up in speed just as much in reverse as in forward, while in reverse on some powerboat outboards are limited, to prevent kick-up. So, the lack of kick-up is the key difference in features, with the other changes necessary because of that.
If your marine toilet has a Y valve what must you do in a No Discharge Zone?
If your marine toilet has a "Y" valve, and you are in a No DischargeY Zone, you must be certain that the Y valve is secured in a closed position
According to the laws of Physics as we currently know them, it is not possible to sail any closer to the wind than 45 degrees. That leaves a 90 degree window altogether. If indeed, "East" is 90 degrees on your compass (like all the rest in our world), you will not be able to sail toward the wind, from 45 degrees to 135 degrees on your compass. All other courses are available.
Point of order, though: Technically speaking, a sail is a vertical wing & the wind flows around the sail, foiling, and actually PULLS boat along. This makes for a great trick question; "Does the wind push or pull a boat?".
What is better a billowing sail or tight sail?
Tight against the wind and billowing before it -it depends which way you are going!
