Nautical terms - or lack of

iangrant

iangrant

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Since moving to the dark side the names given to the bits of the boat have now become more "domestic" on the saily boat all was correct - down below, cockpit, shrouds, galley etc..

Now we have kitchen, lounge, bedroom, front, back, a boot (aft lockers) and the trim tabs - someone mentioned they look like mud flaps. Ha

Ian
 
You missed the upstairs and downstairs :D

I think it has a lot to do with the crew differences, I appreciate you managed to sail with your family on board but as a rule there are very few women and children on board sailing boats, more often than not its a load of grumpy old men.

Mobos tend to have a full family compliment along with guests onboard.

Ask them if they would like to take the helm from the upper helm position and they would be mystified.

Ask then if they want to drive from upstairs and they cant wait. :)
 
PaulGooch said:
We tend to use a bit of a mix. F'rinstance, Port, Starboard, Bow, Stern, Helm, cockpit, but then toilet, bathroom, upstairs, drive.

I think it's nice to have some basic nautical terms, without going overboard (no pun intended :D)
Click to expand...

We do pretty much the same, can't see a lot of point in calling the bog the heads when after all, it's a toilet innit :rolleyes:

You've got a bathroom ?? :confused:
 
Philiz said:
We do pretty much the same, can't see a lot of point in calling the bog the heads when after all, it's a toilet innit :rolleyes:

You've got a bathroom ?? :confused:
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We have a toilet, a bathroom and a shower.






All in the same 2 feet square cupboard :D

If i'm having a wee, it's the toilet. If i'm having a wash, it's the bathroom. Never had a shower in it, the wee is faster than the shower lol
 
we have all the mod cons fitted, but a bucket and chuckit, is far cleaner and less hassle. As for a shower, if you want one just stand under the trailing edge of the flybridge as we lift off. We do make allowances for the ladies however, (we turn our backs)
 
Sounds all very familiar. When I started out as a MOBO owner I was all for trying to keep to correct terms etc... but as soon as family and guests get involved if you stick to the correct boaty terms you just end up explaining everything twice! So we too have wardrobes and cupboards and drivers seats too. Even if I refer to the "plotter" I end up saying "that small TV thing up there"...
 
We try to use the correct terminology but, like most, end up with a mishmash of expressions. Given that its all about communication there is no point in enforcing a foreign language on guests.
The bridge works for all, even if it is upstairs
Most manage bow and stern so we dont have to use front and back. Having said that "up the front" is used by some as part of a request to sit on the foredeck.
I'm fairly assiduous over heads and locker, as is SWMBO.
Take the wheel works for all.
 
Heads as far as I'm concerned.
But a strange origin of the term methinks.
"Head" in a nautical sense referring to the bow or fore part of a ship dates to 1485. The ship's toilet was typically placed at the head of the ship near the base of the bowsprit, where splashing water served to naturally clean the toilet area.
Ooh err.
 
I think some things like port/starboard/fore/aft etc. are worth knowing as it makes things easier, but most of the other things are just to make it sound complicated.
 
Your all a load of Landlubbers
I only use the Purist nautical terms at all times.
As Peeps who have been afloat with me will know.
So here's a quick question for You Scurvy lot
Where is the ONLY rope on a boat used?
Tee Hee!
 
Philiz said:
We do pretty much the same, can't see a lot of point in calling the bog the heads when after all, it's a toilet innit :rolleyes:

You've got a bathroom ?? :confused:
Click to expand...

No it aint - a washbasin may be a toilet but the water closet is politely called the lavatory so why confuse things ? lets continue with the widely used term heads.
 
Kawasaki said:
Your all a load of Landlubbers
I only use the Purist nautical terms at all times.
As Peeps who have been afloat with me will know.
So here's a quick question for You Scurvy lot
Where is the ONLY rope on a boat used?
Tee Hee!
Click to expand...

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sailing for an answer. It indicates that there are many more than one place a "rope" could be used

Grahame
 
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