Yacht Glossary: Terminology and Meaning

Yacht & Boat Glossary

A yacht glossary is an essential collection of specialized terms and phrases that encapsulate the unique world of yachting, covering everything from the parts of the vessel and its equipment to the operations and lifestyle onboard. It serves as a navigational tool through the technicalities of yacht design, construction, and navigation, while also diving into the common vernacular of yachting culture and maintenance.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or a newcomer to the seas, understanding these terms enhances your appreciation of the intricate and luxurious world of private yachting, bridging the gap between novice enthusiasm and expert knowledge.

Here is the Glossary and Terminology of Yacht:

Aft Deck: On motor yachts, this refers to the guest area located at the rear of the boat on the main deck, often equipped with the primary outdoor dining setup.
Aft Cabin: The sleeping quarters situated under the boat’s aft or rear section, occasionally referred to as a mid cabin if found beneath the helm area.
Alee: The side of a boat or any object that is sheltered from the wind’s direction.
Aloft: The term used for being above the deck, typically in the yacht’s rigging or on the mast.
Anchor: A device, typically made of metal, used to moor a yacht to the sea bottom.
Amidships: Located at the yacht’s center, midway between the bow (front) and stern (back).
Anti-fouling Paint: A specialized coating applied to the hull of a boat to prevent the attachment and growth of marine organisms.
APA (Advance Provisioning Allowance): Funds provided in advance for the captain to manage provisioning on behalf of the charterer, covering essential expenses such as fuel, food, drinks, and docking fees. The captain is responsible for maintaining a detailed record of all expenditures, reconciling the account, and refunding any unspent amounts at the charter’s conclusion.
Apparent Wind: The wind’s speed and direction as experienced onboard a moving vessel, reflecting the combined effects of the true wind and the boat’s motion.
Astern: Refers to the area toward or at the back of the boat, beyond the stern.
Athwartships: Running perpendicular to the yacht’s central longitudinal axis. A berth set ‘athwartships’ is aligned parallel to the boat’s sides rather than its length, which may affect sleeping comfort due to the boat’s motion.
Aweigh: Describes an anchor that has been lifted from the seabed and is no longer holding the boat in place.

Beam: The widest part of the yacht.
Bow: The front of the yacht.
Bridge: The area from which the yacht is steered and controlled.
Bulkhead: A structural partition that separates different compartments within the yacht.
Bilge: The lowest compartment in a yacht, where water typically gathers and is pumped out.
Bimini Top: A canvas or fabric covering mounted on a frame to provide shade or shelter.

Cabin: Sleeping quarters for passengers and crew.
Cleat: A metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened.
Cockpit: An outdoor seating area, usually near the stern, where the helm controls are located.
Captain-Only Charter: This is a type of yacht charter where the yacht is provided with only a captain, who is responsible for navigating and operating the yacht. Guests are expected to handle other tasks such as cooking and housekeeping. This setup is also known as a “Bareboat with Skipper.”
Charter Yacht Broker: A professional dedicated to arranging custom yacht vacations for clients. This term also applies to the agency they represent, known as a Charter Yacht Broker Agency. Utilizing a charter broker is advisable for tailored charter experiences.
Charter Terms: The agreement detailing the conditions under which a yacht is chartered. These terms vary globally and can range from all-inclusive packages to arrangements that might include or exclude meals aboard.
Charter Yacht: A yacht that is offered for hire/rental, providing individuals the opportunity to experience yachting without owning a vessel.
Cockpit: An outdoor seating area located typically at the stern of a sailing yacht, where guests can relax and dine, and from which the captain may navigate and manage the vessel.
Commission: A fee paid by the yacht owner to a charter broker for securing a charter. It’s important to note that this commission is not directly paid by the charterer.
Crew: The group of professionals tasked with operating the charter yacht, which may include roles such as captain, mate, deckhand, stewardess, engineer, and chef, among others. Crew members may also offer specialized services like wellness or massage therapy and scuba diving instruction.
Crewed Charter: A yacht charter option that comes with a dedicated crew to oversee and manage all aspects of the yacht and the charter experience itself. This option is ideal for those looking for a fully serviced yachting experience.
CYBA (Charter Yacht Broker Association): A leading professional organization for reputable charter brokers, ensuring high standards in the yacht charter industry.

Deck: The flat surface that covers the hull of the yacht, where passengers can walk.
Davit: A crane on the yacht, used for lifting small boats.
Displacement: The weight of water displaced by the yacht, often used as a measure of the yacht’s size.
Draft/draught: The depth of water needed to float the yacht.

Ensign: The flag displayed on a yacht signifies the country where it is registered. It’s important to understand that the registration of a yacht does not always match the nationality of its owners. Additionally, a yacht flying a particular country’s flag is regarded as a small, mobile extension of that nation and is subject to its legal system and jurisdiction.

Fender: A cushioned device hung on the sides of the yacht to protect it from bumping into docks or other yachts.
Flybridge: An open deck above the main bridge, often including a secondary helm station.

Galley: The kitchen area of a yacht.

Hull: The main body of the yacht.
Head: The bathroom on a yacht.
Helm: The area where the steering wheel or controls are located, used for navigating the yacht.

Inclusive Charter Rate: This refers to the charter cost covering nearly everything—yacht and crew, meals, alcohol (to a reasonable limit), fuel, and mooring fees.
Itinerary: This outlines the planned route of a yacht during a charter. While it’s usually set before departure, it remains adaptable to weather changes and guest preferences.
Idle: When a yacht’s engines are running but not providing forward motion, often mentioned in terms of fuel consumption as “Rates include fuel at idle.”
In Irons: A sailing term describing the situation where a yacht faces directly into the wind, losing forward momentum and becoming difficult to steer.
Inboard Engine: Describes an engine installed within the yacht, as opposed to an outboard engine, which is mounted on the yacht’s exterior.
Inshore: Refers to sailing within close proximity to the shore, allowing for navigation by sight.
Iron Wind: A sailor’s colloquial term for the yacht’s engine, highlighting its role as a modern means of propulsion.

Jib: A triangular sail that extends forward of the mast, playing a crucial role in the yacht’s maneuverability and speed.
Jibe (Gybe): A sailing maneuver where the yacht turns its stern through the wind, shifting the sail from one side to the other.
Jacklines: Safety lines running from the aft to the forward part of the yacht, designed for crew members to attach their harnesses to during rough weather conditions.
Jury Rig (Jerry-Rig): A temporary and often improvised repair to address breakages or failures on the yacht, intended to hold until a more permanent solution can be implemented.

Keel: A structure running along the bottom of the hull, providing stability.
Knot (speed): A measure of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, used in maritime navigation.

Lee: The side of the yacht that is opposite to where the wind is coming from, offering shelter from the wind’s force.
Leeward: Refers to the side of an object or yacht that is protected from the wind, often pronounced “loo-ərd.”
Lee Helm: A condition where, in strong winds, the yacht naturally drifts towards the lee side without any rudder adjustment.
LOA (Length Over All): The total length of a yacht measured from the front end to the back end (stem to stern), crucial for determining marina dockage fees, which are often based on the yacht’s length.
Luxury Yacht: A yacht that provides crewed charters, offering five-star services to its guests, including gourmet dining, water sports, housekeeping, and professional navigation. See our Ultimate Yacht, Luxury Yacht, and Liveaboard Yacht offers.
Lazy Jack: A system of ropes and a sailbag attached to the boom, designed to catch and contain the mainsail as it is lowered.
Leech: The rear edge of a sail, which can influence the sail’s shape and efficiency.
Luff: The forward edge of a sail, critical for catching wind and propelling the yacht.
Luffing Up: The action of steering the yacht into the wind, causing the luff (forward part) of the sail to face directly into the wind’s direction.
Line: A rope used on a yacht for various purposes, such as securing the vessel to a dock.

Mainsail: The principal sail on a yacht, usually located closest to the mast.
Marina: A harbor facility offering services to recreational boaters.
Marina Berth: A designated space in a marina where a yacht can be docked.
Mooring: A place where the yacht can be secured, using lines or anchors.
Mooring Ball: A floating ball anchored to the seabed, to which a yacht can be tied.

Navigation Lights: Lights required to be displayed at night or during poor visibility, indicating the yacht’s size, direction, and status.
Navigation System: Equipment used to determine the yacht’s position and course, including GPS devices, charts, and compasses.

Outboard Motor: A portable, detachable engine mounted on the stern of a yacht, used for propulsion.

Port: The left side of the yacht when facing forward.
Propeller: A rotating device propelled by an engine, moving the yacht through water.

Quarter: The sides of a yacht towards the stern, behind the midship area. The term is often used to describe the location on a yacht, such as “port quarter” or “starboard quarter.”
Quarterdeck: A specific area on a yacht, typically located near the stern, which can be a ceremonial or social spot, as well as a place from which the yacht is controlled on larger vessels.
Quay: A stone or metal platform lying alongside or projecting into water for loading and unloading ships, which can also accommodate yachts in a marina setting.
Quickwork: The part of the yacht’s hull that is below the waterline and quickly submerged when the yacht is underway.
Quiver (Sail Quiver): Not exclusive to yachting but used in sailing sports, referring to a collection of sails for different conditions, allowing the sailor to optimize performance based on wind and sea conditions.

Radar: A system that uses radio waves to detect and locate objects.
Regatta: A series of boat races.

Salon: The main indoor gathering area on a yacht, similar to a living room.
Skipper: The person in charge of navigating and operating the yacht.
Starboard: The right side of the yacht when facing forward.
Stern: The back end of the yacht.
Superstructure: The area of a yacht above the main deck.

Tender: A small boat used to transport people or goods between the yacht and the shore.
Thrust: The force produced by the propellers to move the yacht forward or backward.
Transom: The vertical surface at the stern of the yacht, sometimes used for mounting engines or the name of the yacht.
Trim Tabs: Adjustable small plates on the stern of the yacht used for leveling and stability.

Underway: A term used to describe a yacht that is not anchored, moored, or docked; it is moving or navigating through the water under its own power.
Upwind: Referring to the direction from which the wind is coming; sailing upwind means moving against the wind’s direction.
U-Shape Keel: A type of keel design that is shaped like the letter “U.” It’s used to provide stability and reduce the draft of the yacht, allowing it to navigate in shallower waters.
UTC (Coordinated Universal Time): Although not specific to yachting, UTC is crucial for navigation and communication at sea, providing a standard time reference worldwide.
Umbilical: In the context of yachts with advanced systems or submersibles, an umbilical can refer to a cable or hose that provides power, communications, or support from the yacht to another vessel or underwater equipment.
Unballasted: Refers to a yacht that does not have additional weights (ballast) added to its keel or hull to improve stability. This can affect the yacht’s performance, especially in rough waters.

VHF Radio: A two-way communication device using very high frequencies, essential for marine communications.

Waterline: The line where the hull of the yacht meets the water surface.
Winch: A mechanical device used on yachts for hoisting or hauling, often used to adjust the tension on ropes and sails.

Xebec (also spelled as Zebec): Historically, a xebec was a type of Mediterranean sailing ship used primarily for trading and as a warship, known for its speed and agility. It featured a distinctive design with a long overhang at the stern, a low profile, and three masts with lateen sails. While not a term you’d likely hear in modern yachting contexts, it’s an interesting part of maritime history.

Yacht: A term that encompasses a range of pleasure vessels, typically motor-powered or sail-driven, used for leisure, racing, or cruising on seas, lakes, and rivers.
Yacht Broker: A professional who buys, sells, or rents yachts on behalf of clients.
Yachting: The sport or leisure activity that involves sailing or operating yachts, often implying the luxury and lifestyle associated with private yachting.
Yawl: A specific type of sailing craft, characterized by two masts with the mizzen mast (the smaller of the two) located aft of the rudder post, distinguishing it from a ketch.
Yardarm: The outer extremities of a ship’s yard, a horizontal spar from which sails are hung. In yachting, this term can be used to describe parts of the rigging structure.
Yield: In a racing context, this term refers to the action of giving way to another vessel. Understanding the right of way and yielding rules is crucial in competitive yachting and sailing.
Yachtmaster: A certification for skippers, indicating a high level of competency in handling a yacht both offshore and inshore. The Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and other organizations offer Yachtmaster qualifications.
Yachter: An individual who owns, sails, or has a significant interest in yachts and yachting activities, embracing both the sporting and lifestyle aspects of yachting.

Zero-Speed Stabilizers: Advanced stabilization systems designed for motor yachts that prevent rolling motions both when the yacht is moving and at anchor, greatly enhancing onboard comfort.