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| Gaff |
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(1) A spar that holds the top of a four sided gaff sail. (2) A pole with a hook at the end used to get a fish on board.
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| Gaff Rigged |
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A type of traditional working boat using four sided gaff sails that are hoisted on gaffs.
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| Gaff Sail |
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A four sided sail used instead of a triangular main sail. Used on gaff rigged boats.
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| Gale |
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A storm with a wind speed between 34 to 40 knots.
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| Galley |
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The kitchen area on a boat.
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| Gasket |
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Ties used to tie up the sails when they are furled.
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| Gennaker |
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A large sail that is a cross between a spinnaker and a genoa. Hoisted without a pole, the tack is attached at the bottom of the headstay.
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| Genoa |
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A large jib that overlaps the mast. Also known as a jenny.
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| Geographic North |
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The direction toward the top point of the line about which the earth rotates (between Canada and Russia in the Arctic Ocean.) See also magnetic north.
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| Gimbals |
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Hinges for objects such as lamps, compasses and stoves so that they can remain upright as the boat rolls.
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| Give Way Vessel |
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The vessel that must yield to another vessel according to the navigation rules. Also known as the burdened vessel.
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| Global Positioning System |
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GPS for short. A system of satellites that allows one's position to be calculated with great accuracy by the use of an electronic receiver.
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| Globe |
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A map of the earth drawn on a sphere so that both its distances and angles are accurate.
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| Gmt |
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Time measured in Greenwich Mean Time. Coordinated universal time is a newer standard. A time standard that is not affected by time zones or seasons.
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| Gps |
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Global Positioning System. A system of satellites that allows one's position to be calculated with great accuracy by the use of an electronic receiver.
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| Granny Knot |
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A bad knot that was probably tied in error, will not necessarily hold fast, and may be difficult to untie.
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| Great Circle |
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Any circle drawn around the earth such that the center of the circle is at the center of the earth. The shortest distance between any two points on the earth lies along a great circle.
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| Great Circle Route |
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A course that is the shortest distance between two points, following a great circle. Great circle routes usually do not look like the shortest route when drawn on a flat map due to deviations caused by trying to draw a flat map of a round object such as the earth.
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| Green Buoy |
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A can buoy. A cylindrical buoy painted green and having an odd number used in the United States as a navigational aid. At night they may have a green light. Green buoys should be kept on the left side when returning from a larger body of water to a smaller one. Nun buoys mark the other side of the channel. Also see green and red daymarks.
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| Green Daymark |
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A navigational aid used in the United States and Canada to mark a channel. Green triangular daymarks should be kept on the left when returning from a larger to smaller body of water. Red daymarks mark the other side of the channel. Also see can and nun buoys.
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| Green Water |
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A solid mass of water coming aboard instead of just spray.
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| Greenwich Mean Time |
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GMT for short. Coordinated universal time is a newer standard. A time standard that is not affected by time zones or seasons.
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| Grommet |
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A ring or eyelet normally used to attach a line, such as on a sail.
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| Ground Swells |
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Swells that become shorter and steeper as they approach the shore due to shallow water.
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| Ground Tackle |
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The anchor and its rode or chain and any other gear used to make the boat fast.
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| Gudgeon |
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The hole in which the pin from a stern mounted rudder fits. The pin is known as a pintle.
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| Gunkholing |
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Cruising in shallow water and spending the nights in coves.
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| Gunnel, Gunwale |
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Pronounced gunnel. The rail around the edge of a boat. Smaller versions are called toe rails.
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| Guy |
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Also called a brace. A line used to control the movement of the object at the other end, such as a spar.
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| Gybe |
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Usually spelled jibe. To change direction when sailing in a manner such that the stern of the boat passes through the eye of the wind and the boom changes sides. Prior to jibing, the boom will be very far to the side of the boat. Careful control of the boom and mainsail is required when jibing in order to prevent a violent motion of the boom when it switches sides. Jibing without controlling the boom properly is known as an accidental jibe. Tacking is preferred to jibing because the boom is not subject to such violent changes. Jibing is usually needed when running with the wind and tacking is used when close hauled.
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| Gypsy |
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A windlass or capstan drum.
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| Gyres |
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A large circular ocean current.
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