underway:

moving under power of sail or motor.

unlay:

to open up or separate the strands of a line.

upwind:

toward the wind.

vang:

a device, usually with mechanical advantage, used to pull the boom down, flattening the sail.

veer:

the wind is said to veer when it shifts in a clockwise direction, as from north to northeast. When the wind shifts counter-clockwise, it is said to back.

vented loop:

inverted U-shaped pipe with a vent at the top, used as a section in toilet discharge lines to prevent back siphoning.

ventilator:

construction designed to lead air below decks. May have a cowl, which can be angled into or away from the wind; and may be constructed with baffles, so that water is not allowed below.

vernier scale:

a scale used to obtain a precise reading of an instrument, particularly for mariners, of the altitude readings on a sextant.

wake:

the swell caused by a boat passing through water.

warp:

heavy rope used for towing. Move a boat by means of a warp

heavier lines (rope or wire) used for mooring, anchoring and to wing. May also be used to indicate moving (warping) a boat into position by pulling on a warp.

watch:

a period of duty to which part of a boat's crew is assigned; also, crew members assigned for that period of duty.

weather helm:

the natural tendency of a sailboat to turn toward the wind, which the helmsman feels as the tiller tries to turn to leeward.

welting:

fabric-covered cording with exposed seam allowances that can be sewed into seams for decoration, and to reinforce the seams of furniture covers.

whisker pole:

a short spar, normally kept stowed, which may be used to push the clew of a jib away from the boat when the boat is running downwind.

whip:

to bind the end of a rope with twine, cord, or plastic sealant to keep it from fraying.

winch:

mechanical device for hauling in a line

a device with a revolving drum, around which a line may be turned in order to provide mechanical advantage in hoisting or hauling.

windlass:

winch for hauling in the anchor chain or line.

wind rose:

a diagram usually shown on pilot charts that indicates the frequency and intensity of wind from different directions for a particular place.

windward:

toward the wind.

working end:

the fastened or manipulated end of a line.

no entries

yaw, yawing:

to turn from side to side in an uneven course.

yawl:

a boat with a two-masted rig in which the mizzen, or jigger, is abaft the rudderpost and the helm. The yawl's mizzen is smaller that the ketch's, as well as being placed farther aft.

zincs:

zinc plates attached to the hull to minimize electrolysis (and ultimate failure) of the metal in the rudder and other areas.