resin n. a material derived from petroleum which, when mixed with a catalyst, hardens into a rigid material. A composite of resin and fiberglass yields a material of unequaled value, strength and versatility. 

roach n . unsupported sail cloth, aft sail edge. 

run n . sailing downwind. 

sail n. everybody knows what a sail is. 

sea cock n. a valve to close off an opening in the hull for cooling water, etc. 

shackle n. a U-shaped metal piece with a threaded pin across the ends, for attaching two objects such as anchor to chain, block to bail, etc. 

shaft log n. fiberglass tube with stuffing box on one end and cutlass bearing on the other which allows the propeller shaft to pass through the hull. 

sheave n. a wheel or disk with a grooved rim; the moving part of a block. 

sheet n. the multi-part line from the end of the boom to the stern for controlling the angle of the sail. 

shroud n. a wire cable from the mast to the side of a boat; not used on small catboats. 

sintered adj. particles of metal partially melted together, resulting in a porous mass of great surface area. 

skeg n. the extension of the keel in the after part of a boat, serving to protect the propeller, support the rudder and provide directional stability. 

skeg bar n. the bronze bar across the bottom of the propeller opening on diesel Cats to support the rudder. 

spanker n . type of sail: the fore-and-aft sail on the mast nearest the stern of a square-rigged ship. 

spar n. a mast, boom or gaff. 

spinnaker n . the large balloon sail used in front of a jib. 

sprit n . spar across sail: a pole that crosses a fore-and-aft sail diagonally. 

square knot n. a knot of limited value, used on a boat only for reefing. See reef knot. 

standing rigging n. the fixed wires supporting the mast on a sailboat. Catboats normally use only a forestay. 

starboard adj. when facing forward, the side of the boat to your right. See port. 

stern n . rear of the boat. 

stopper knot n. a knot in the end of a rope to stop it from running through a block, up the mast, etc. 

stuffing box n. a device to admit a shaft through a hull while excluding water. 

surge brakes n. brakes on a trailer actuated by pressure on the tongue caused by the braking of the towing vehicle. 

throat n. the forward upper corner of the sail, where the gaff meets the mast. 

tack n . forward end of sail at the foot. 

tacking v . changing direction while sailing into the wind. 

throat halyard n. the line that hoists the inner end of the gaff. See peak halyard. 

topping lift n. the line from the masthead to the end of the boom, supporting the boom during reefing, furling, etc. 

traveler n. the bar across the stern on which the sheet block travels. 

turnbuckle n. a device to powerfully shorten or lengthen rigging. 

vang n . mainsail shape control line. 

VHF adj. Very High Frequency; a frequency band assigned to marine communications. Also, a transceiver using these frequencies. 

wainscoting n. decorative wood strips used to line the inside of the cabin. 

weather helm n. the tendency of a sailboat to point up into the wind, requiring the helm (tiller) to be pulled to the weather, or windward, to maintain course. See lee helm . 

