glossary of terms

cantstopnow · Post by **cantstopnow** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 5:33 pm

I am looking for a recommendation for a source for a glossary of correct names of boat parts. Not just rigging etc. but the construction parts so that when I ask a question I will use the correct names for parts. Is there a good online resource or a book that I should find? example: I think of the parts that hold up the thing that you are standing on as stringers but I think they are floors?
I need to learn the language...

Figment · Post by **Figment** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 6:31 pm

Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding is a pretty good one, I think.

But don't dwell too much on the "proper" names for things. Of course I'm a big nerd who enjoys such details, but that doesn't make it necessary. Certainly don't let it stop you from asking questions.

"floors" (as the term originates in traditional wooden boat structure) are members which join frames where they come together at the keel. They may also serve to hold up the "sole" (the thing you're standing on) as a matter of coincidence, but more likely the sole is supported by sole stringers or sole beams.

Post by **Tim** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 6:52 am

I for one applaud the attempt to learn the correct terms. Thank you. Proper language, in any situation, does matter..or, more importantly, always attempting to use the proper language matters. One can be excused for not knowing everything, as long as the interest in learning is there. After all, no one does know everything; those who think they do know less than anyone.

That said, please don't let a lack of nomenclature knowledge stop you from asking and learning. Often, the best way to learn the terms that are important is by not knowing them, but eventually picking them up through osmosis. In other words, don't get so hung up on learning terminology that you lose sight of what you're really doing. The basic terminology will do just fine, and a lot of the "correct" terms either don't apply, are antiquated, or have appropriate synonyms or slang terms that are equally effective.

And sometimes, using terminology with which one is not familiar can lead to embarrassment. I think it was the movie "The Perfect Storm" in which the gritty fishermen awkardly called the "EPIRB" (which everyone knows is pronounced "EE-PURB") the "ee pee eye are bee" (that is, each letter individually read, rather than together as the acronym that it is) instead. Hollywood idiots tried too hard to use the proper terminology, and ending up looking foolish. (real stretch there, I know...)

Triton 53 · Post by **Triton 53** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:37 am

OK Tim, I'll bite.

What does "EPIRB" stand for?

I"m with "Cantstopnow" trying to learn the lingo.

Pete

Ancient Race · Post by **Ancient Race** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 7:58 am

Triton 53 wrote:OK Tim, I'll bite.

What does "EPIRB" stand for?

I"m with "Cantstopnow" trying to learn the lingo.
Pete

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:14 am

We could get a whole long thread going here, defining all the thousands of esoteric marine terms :-)

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 8:52 am

Try http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/vbb/worono ... ssary.html

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:04 am

keelbolts wrote:Try http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/vbb/worono ... ssary.html

Damn... talk about esoteric...

I'm having trouble with this one:

Abaft the beam

Denotes the relative situation of any object with the ship when the object is placed in any part of that arch of the horizon which is contained between a line at right angles with the keel and that point of the compass which is directly opposite to the ship's course.

I know what abaft the beam means, but that definition hurts my brain. <grins>

Post by **Tim** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:15 am

Ceasar Chopppy wrote:I know what abaft the beam means, but that definition hurts my brain.

hehe...

I think if you didn't already know what it meant, you still wouldn't after reading that particular definition. Wow.

Triton 53 · Post by **Triton 53** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 11:22 am

I have started reading from http://www.psych.usyd.edu.au/vbb/worono ... ssary.html
and already my head hurts.

I hope that there is NOT going to be a quiz.

Pete

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Mon Nov 05, 2007 11:50 am

I'm always surprised by how little the language of the sea has changed in 200 years. Some of the spellings have changed a little, but most of the definitions in that dictionary that seem so foreign are those that pertain to a square-rigged vessel.

I guess it's a testament to how little, as sailors, of what we're doing has changed.

I reread the first post & I see that the question delt with correctly naming parts of the boat. I'm afraid that I referred you to terms that were more dealing with the operation of the boat than with the boat itself. The suggestion that you look at a book on boat building was a good one.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 11:01 am

I just have so say though, after a cursory view of that dictionary, that there was no mention of the term "wear ship." ... sort of a square rigger equivalent to gybing.

keelbolts · Post by **keelbolts** » Wed Nov 07, 2007 1:06 pm

I noticed that. Wearing ship is not just for square riggers anymore. I often wear ship in my boat if it's really blowing. Saves a lot of wear & tear on the boat and my nerves.