| term |
blog |
Definition |
Image |
| abeam |
43 |
The direction at right angles to the boat's midline. If you are in the middle or your vessel and facing the bow then something (in the water) that is inline with your shoulders is "abeam". |
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| anchor |
23 |
A heavy weight or hook tied to a line or chain (or a line and a chain) that can be dropped to the bottom and then the line is attached to the boat and used to prevent the boat from moving too far away. |
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| anchor chain |
26 |
A chain connected directly to an anchor. On smaller boats the anchor chain is most often connected to an anchor line that is then connected to the boat. |
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| armadillo |
59 |
PENDING |
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| back in the day |
72 |
Referring to a time period previous to the present, usually recalled with a somewhat blissful vision. |
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| bank |
12 |
The shore of a river. That is the land adjacent to the river. Because of the nature of water this is almost always land that slants up and away from the water. |
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| barge |
19 |
A boat that gives the impression of being a huge raft. A barge may have its own propulsion but most often it is towed by another vessel. Used primarily to transport cargo on the water. It is the water equivalent of the flatbed railway car. "Barge traffic" is the same as "tow traffic". |
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| bell buoy |
43 |
A buoy with a free-swinging clapper which sounds the bell as the buoy rolls in the seas. A bell buoy is usually mounted near a rock or shoal to warn of a serious danger to navigation. |
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| bend (in a river) |
21 |
The place where the river direction curves. (As a nautical term "bend" has several other meanings, e.g. bend a sail, bend one's ear, get bent, etc.) |
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| Bluegill’s dorsal fin |
25 |
A Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish. The dorsal fin is the one that is on the fish's "back". |
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| bottom turbulence |
60 |
Turbulence refers to fluid flow that varies in which nearby regions flow in different directions and velocities. This concept is called "chaotic" behavior and is typical near fluid flow boundaries. Bottom turbulence refers to the natural turbulenced that occurs for flows near the bottom of a fluid region. |
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| bow |
19 |
The front part of a boat. Generally the bow has a pointed shape--to meet the water just as an arrow is pointed to meet the air. |
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| breakwater |
41 |
A barrier, usually manmade, that breaks the force of the waves. These are found around many harbors. |
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| broadside |
43 |
The entire side of the boat from bow to stern. Ships are most vulnerable to an attack along this entire side. |
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| buffalo fish |
23 |
A large species of freshwater fish also known as bigmouth buffalo, Ictiobus cyprinellus, gourd head, redmouth buffalo, bernard buffalo, roundhead, or brown buffalo. It lives in sluggish areas of large rivers and shallow lakes. |
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| buoy |
26 |
A floating device attached to the bottom that is used to mark a location. |
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| carp |
23 |
Carp is a common name for various species of an oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. |
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| catfish |
23 |
Scaleless bottom dwelling fishes that have whiskerlike organs extending from the upper jaw |
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| channel |
3 |
That portion of a waterway that is intended for large boat traffic. Often it corresponds to a section in or near the middle of a river or bay that has been dredged. In high traffic areas it will showup on charts and may have special right-of-way rules. In low traffic areas "channel" can refer to the passable path. In the image to the right it would be the wide darker blue portion going from the middle left edge toward upper right corner. |
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| chart |
10 |
Chart or nautical chart is what a landsman would call a map. A nautical chart usually includes things that may be under the water, water depth indications, navigation bouy locations and characteristics, land marks that are visible from the water, current directions, and other things helpful to a boatman. The navigator usually makes plenty of marks and notations on her/his chart. |
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| cormorant |
45 |
A dark colored bird that swims underwater to catch fish. They are often seen perched facing the breeze with their wings spread out to dry. |
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| crest of a wave; to crest a wave |
19 |
The "crest of a wave" is the very top part. To "crest a wave" means to reach that point in the wave such that the balance point of the kayak is at the top of the wave, i.e. the point right after the kayak climbs the wave and before it descends the other side. |
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| curl of water |
19 |
When the crest of a wave pitches out over the rest of the wave you have a "curl of water". |
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| current |
1 |
What wind is to air, current is to water. Current refers to the sustained movement of water in a specific direction. On a river the current is generally stronger in the middle or in the channel and the direction is given as "upstream" or "downstream". Downstream means traveling in the same direction the current is headed toward. Upstream means traveling toward the direction the water is coming from. |
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| deck |
19 |
The floor on a boat especially for someone on top of the boat. For a kayak it is the top surface. Deck has several other usages but for a kayak it is the table like surface in front of the paddler. |
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| deck hand |
32 |
A boat crew member whose primary assignment is topside. |
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| dike |
18 |
Same as levee. |
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| downstream |
25 |
The direction of the current, i.e. which direction the water is moving toward. |
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| downstream wind |
24 |
A wind flowing in the same direction as the current. This type of wind causes long wave length smooth wave or no waves at all. |
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| dredging |
25 |
Dredging is an excavation activity usually carried out at least partly underwater, with the purpose of gathering up bottom sediments and disposing of them at a different location.
This technique is often used to keep waterways navigable. |
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| dry suit |
13 |
A dry suit provides thermal insulation or passive thermal protection to the wearer while immersed in water, and is worn by divers, boaters, water sports enthusiasts, and others who work or play in or near cold water. The dry suit protects the whole human body, except the head, hands, and possibly the feet. |
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| eddy |
21 |
A current moving contrary to the direction of the main current. Often making a swirling circular motion. Eddies can work for or against a paddler. So you might want to "catch an eddy" or "avoid an eddy". The key part is knowing where they are. |
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| fiberglass |
23 |
A material consisting of extremely fine filaments of glass that are woven into fabrics or embedded in various resins to make boat hulls. The resulting sheetlike material is strong and light. A good material for making kayak hulls. |
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| flood plain |
25 |
A flood plain is flat or nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river that experiences occasional or periodic flooding. The flood plain does not experience a strong current. |
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| flood stage |
32 |
Flood stage is the point at which the surface of a river, creek, or other body of water has risen to a sufficient level to cause damage or affects use of man-made structures. When a body of water rises to this level, it is considered a flood event. |
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| fly-by-wire navigation |
26 |
Navigating by the use of electronic navigation instruments without significant visual information. |
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| gelcoat |
18 |
Gelcoats are the shiny face of fiberglass that you see on fiberglass boat hulls. Gelcoats consist of a thick gel-like resin mixed with a colored pigment. |
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| goliath grouper |
73 |
PENDING |
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| GORP |
40 |
This stands for "Good Old Rasins and Peanuts", i.e. trail mix. |
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| Gore-Tex |
39 |
Gore-Tex is a waterproof/breathable fabric. The name is a trademark like Kleenex or Coke-a-Cola. |
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| GPS |
24 |
Global Positioning System. This is a high-tech electronic device for navigation using satellite signals. It is the best civilian navigation system. |
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| grappling hook |
23 |
A device consisting essentially of one or more hooks or clamps, for grasping or holding something also called a grapple, grappling iron, or grapnel. |
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| great blue heron |
45 |
A long legged stately bird. They can be observed in aquatic environments wading throught the water and striking with their long bill at small fishes under their gaze. |
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| Gulf Stream |
41 |
A powerful, warm, and swift Atlantic ocean current that originates in the Gulf of Mexico, exits through the Strait of Florida, |
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| hatch |
23 |
A covered opening in a kayak's deck through which gear can be loaded. The cover to the opening is called a hatch or hatch cover. |
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| headway |
21 |
Progress in the forward direction. |
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| headwind |
21 |
A wind that is blowing against the intended travel direction. Think of a wind that hits you in the face. The opposite of a tailwind. |
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| hull |
23 |
The hollow, lowermost portion of a boat, floating partially submerged and supporting the remainder of the boat. |
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| Ikkuma |
24 |
A model of sea kayak manufactured by Seda. http://www.sedakayak.com/sea_kayaks/ikkuma/ikkuma.html |
 
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| Intracostal |
33 |
The same as Intracostal Waterway. |
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| Intracostal Waterway |
32 |
The "Intracoastal Waterway" is a 4,800-km (3,000-mile) waterway along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the United States. Some lengths consist of natural inlets, salt-water rivers, bays, and sounds; others are man-made canals. It provides a navigable route along its length without many of the hazards of travel on the open sea. "Gulf Intracostal Waterway" refers to that portion of the Intracostal Waterway along the Gulf Coast, i.e. from Texas to Florida. |
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| kayak cart |
2 |
A pair of wheels on an axle with some contrivance for connecting to a kayak. The result is that the kayak can be pushed or pulled like a wheel barrow. Some kayak carts can be disassembled and stored in the kayak itself. |
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| Kevlar |
23 |
A synthetic fabric with a very high strength-to-weight ratio. This makes for a strong yet light kayak building material. |
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| levee |
22 |
A natural or artificial slope or wall to regulate water levels. It is usually earthen and often parallel to the course of a river or the coast. Same as dike. |
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| locks |
8 |
Locks are a mechanism for raising and lowering boats between stretches of water of different levels on river and canal waterways. Each lock is a chamber of water connected to the next and previous chambers which may be at different water levels. "Lock doors" refers to the doors which separate the sequence of water chambers. |
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| manatee |
73 |
PENDING |
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| mangrove |
72 |
PENDING |
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| marina |
42 |
A sheltered harbor where boats and yachts are kept in the water and where services geared to the needs of recreational boating are found. |
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| neoprene tunnel |
14 |
The "neoprene" refers to the soft rubber-like material used to make wetsuits. The "tunnel" part refers to the part of a spray skirt that fits around the paddler's torso. |
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| paddle (the verb) |
19 |
Paddle is to a kayak what sail is to a sailboat. This is the correct verb to use. A kayak enthusiast is more likely to say "lets go paddling" rather than "lets go kayaking" just as a sailor is more likely to say "lets go sailing" rather than "lets go sail boating". |
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| paddle sports |
20 |
Any type of kayaking, canoeing, or rafting. There are many types of kayaking sports: white water, river kayaks, surf kayaks, touring kayaks, etc. |
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| paddler |
25 |
A person who takes a kayak (or canoe, raft, paddle board, etc.) out on the water. |
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| paddling jacket |
17 |
A loose fitting, lightweight, waterproof jacket with sealed seams, adjustable sealing cuffs and collar, and a close fitting waistband. The idea is to provide some protection from wind and waves without hampering the paddling. |
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| paddling pants |
14 |
This durable, lightweight pant with factory sealed seams and adjustable sealable ankle cuffs. An elastized waistband and ankle cuffs keep out splash and spray. The pockets are self-draining. |
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| PFD |
13 |
Personal Flotation Device. PFDs for paddlers have extra large arm holes to avoid constraining the paddling motion. PFDs used to be called "life jackets". |
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| pilot |
32 |
The pilot is a special helmsman for bringing a ship into unfamiliar waters. The pilot has a special knowledge of a certain waterway and is like a rented guide/helmsman for that waterway. |
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| pogies |
17 |
Neoprene or fleece lined mittens that strap onto the paddle shaft. Pogies are for kayak paddles what skiboots are for snow skis. |
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| portage |
32 |
Carrying a boat overland from one navigable water to another. |
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| put-in |
|
The location on the shore for launching one's kayak. The opposite of put-in is take-out. |
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| quarter |
43 |
In terms of the clock face--if the bow is 12 o'clock and the stern is 6 o'clock then the "starboard quarter" is 4 or 5 o'clock and the "port quarter" is 7 or 8 o'clock. "Quarter "can be either or both of those. |
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| quartering |
43 |
Something that is going from astern toward abeam. Think of something that was directly behind you and is now coming around you but is still not quite alongside of you yet. A "quartering wind" is one that was a tailwind but is moving to "off the starboard/port quarter" and then to abeam. |
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| racing stroke |
20 |
A paddling technique characterized by a high stroke, arms held out, elbows high, hands straight, and a loose grip on the shaft. |
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| radar |
32 |
A device for determining the presence and location of an object by measuring the time for the echo of a radio wave to return from it and the direction from which it returns. |
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| resin |
23 |
This is the stuff that you add to fiberglass to make it into a ridgid surface. |
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| revetment |
25 |
Revetments in river engineering refers to the sloping structures placed on banks or cliffs in such a way as to absorb the energy of incoming water. Many revetments are used to line the banks of freshwater rivers, lakes, and man-made reservoirs, especially to prevent damage during periods of floods or heavy seasonal rains |
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| roseate spoonbill |
73 |
PENDING |
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| sandbar |
21 |
A ridge of sand built up by currents especially in a river or in coastal waters |
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| sawfish |
73 |
PENDING |
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| sea kayaking |
19 |
A genre of kayaking focused on traveling over open waters as opposed to river kayaking, white water kayaking, kayak surfing, etc. Similar descriptive (but less specific) terms would be costal paddling, blue water kayaking, sea touring (in a kayak), etc. |
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| set a course |
43 |
Establish a direction of travel. The captain of a ship might command the helmsman to "set a course of" and then give a compass direction. |
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| slack water |
1 |
The period at the turn of the tide when there is little or no horizontal motion of tidal water —called also slack tide. |
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| slalom |
20 |
A winding or zigzag course marked by obstacles or barriers. |
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| slog |
21 |
To plod ahead in a laborious manner. |
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| slough |
33 |
An area of soft, muddy ground; swamp or swamplike region. |
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| spillway |
33 |
A passageway through which surplus water escapes from a reservoir, lake, or the like. |
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| spoil islands |
60 |
Islands formed by the deposit of dredged material. The dredged material is called "spoil". |
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| SPOT signals |
23 |
SPOT is a brand of GPS and communicating device. |
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| spray skirt |
14 |
A piece of kayaking equipment that connects the paddlers torso to the cockpit opening (specifically the coping). Spray skirts are generally made of neoprene or nylon or a combination. They keep water out of the cockpit, they keep the lower body dry, and they connect the paddler to the kayak. |
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| storm surge |
33 |
An abnormal rise in the level of the sea along a coast caused by severe onshore winds. |
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| subsidence |
33 |
Subsidence is the motion of the Earth's surface as it shifts downward relative to sea-level. Ground subsidence is of concern to geologists, structural engineers, and surveyors. In the image to the right, the left side of the road has subsided. |
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| surfskis |
20 |
A surfski is a long, narrow, lightweight, fast kayak with an open (sit-on-top) cockpit, usually with a foot pedal controlled rudder. |
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| swell |
43 |
Waves with a long wave length whose wind source may be far away. If they are going in the same direction as the current they tend to be soft, up and down, movement that pose little problem for a kayaker. If they are running against the current then they can get steep and dangerous. This second situation can be refered to as "chop", "choppy seas", etc. |
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| swirling eddy |
19 |
Eddy that makes complete rotations. |
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| tailwind |
21 |
A wind that is going in the same direction as the intended travel direction. Think of a wind that hits you in the tail. The opposite of a headwind. |
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| take-out |
11 |
The location on the shore for removing one's kayak. The opposite of take-out is put-in. |
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| throw line |
23 |
A line specifically prepared for throwing one end to someone that you cannot easily reach. Throw lines sometimes incorporate weights but always allow for the line to easily unwrap. |
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| tidal surge |
33 |
Same as storm surge. |
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| topographic bowl |
33 |
Topographic refers to the relief features or surface configuration of an area. So that topographic bowl means land that forms a bowl shape. |
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| tow traffic |
24 |
"Tow" on Jake's blog refers to the business of towing barges for moving cargo. Other tow related terms: "tow operators"--companies that operate boats for towing barges; "tow captains and crews"--the capitain and crew of the towing boats; "tow traffic"--barges, rafts of barges , and their towing vessils moving on the water. |
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| towhead |
25 |
A sand bar in a river. Especially one that sticks out from an island or a bend in a river. |
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| transect |
26 |
To cut across or divide by cutting across. |
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| upstream |
|
The direction the water is coming from. |
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| upstream wind |
24 |
Wind that blows in the opposite direction from the current. This type of wind makes for steep waves. Steep waves can threaten the stability of a kayak. These conditions require concentration from the paddler and make for exhausting paddling. |
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| VHF |
32 |
VHF is short for marine VHF radio. It is used for a wide variety of purposes, including summoning rescue services and communicating with harbours, locks, other ships, bridges and marinas, and operates in the VHF frequency range, between 156 to 174 MHz. It is also widely used for collision avoidance. |
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| wave |
33 |
The up and down motion of the sea. This is different from current which is the horizontal moivement of the water. The direction of the waves specifies the horizontal direction of the crest of the wave. Think of someone snapping a blanket up and down--the ripple of the blanket travels away from the snapper but the blanket itself does not move horizontally. |
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| wavelets |
41 |
Small waves. |
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| weather cocking |
43 |
A tendency for a boat to want to turn in the weather direction, i.e. into the wind. Kayaks are particularly prone to weather cocking. |
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| wheelhouse |
32 |
The wheelhouse or pilothouse is an enclosed structure on the deck of a ship containing the steering wheel, compass, and navigating equipment. It is the location from which the helmsman stears the ship. |
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| white water |
20 |
Turbulent water characterized by splashing that makes the water appear white. |
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| wicking |
14 |
Drawiung or draining away moisture. |
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| winch |
23 |
A device that gives mechanical advantage when pulling in a line (a "line" is called a "rope" on land). On a boat it is most often in the form a ratcheting cylinder that can be cranked with a long handle or an electric motor. |
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| wind waves |
19 |
Waves generated by the wind blowing over the water surface. Wind is the most comon source waves. |
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| windward |
1 |
The direction from which the wind is coming. So one could say "going to windward", "the shore to windward", "the windward side" of the boat, etc. Another term that is often used for this is "weather". The opposite of windward is leeward. |
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| wing dam |
19 |
A wing dam is a manmade barrier that, unlike a conventional dam, only extends partway into a river. These structures force water into a fast-moving center channel while slowing water flow near the riverbanks. |
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