Posted by Terence McManus on November 12, 1998 at 03:04:51:
In Reply to: Re: Ropes, Lines and Nautical Terminology posted by The Murrelets on November 11, 1998 at 18:05:10:
The example of the cautionary "helm's a-lee" is a good example of how terminolgy can vary. I was taught to use the phrase "lee oh" as the boat actually tacks and I think this is the general usage in Britain.
"Lee oh" is less of a mouthfull and I think conveys a greater sense of urgency than "helm's a-lee" or "by the lee" which I have also heard used by Americans. The equivalent to 'lee oh" when gybing is "gybe ho".
Even (or 'specially) amoung racing men I have found terminolgy varying from boat to boat, eg "kicking strap", "kicker", "downhaul" and "boom vang" (or even just "vang") being used to describe the purchase towards the fore end of the boom. Other examples are "topping lift" or "uphaul" on the spinnaker pole and "barber hauler" or "tweaker". The key thing is for everybody in the same boat to be using the same terms. Ideally one should introduce newcommers to the boat by "nameing the parts". However when last minute addition to the crew joins minutes before the start of a Saturday afternoon race the safest command is to point at the halyard or sheet in question and say "grab that blue rope and pull".
A final thought. I see that I have used the word "boat" throughout. At one time this would have upset many yacht owners. In this more egalitarian age one feels embarrased to say "my yacht" or to call one's self a "yachtsman". At least I have not fallen (too often) into the modern habit of calling a vessel "it" rather than "she".