ATON Aids to Navigation

Sailing Terminology and Concepts

Boom

Boom Vang

Pole to which the bottom edge of the mainsail attaches. Apparatus that keeps downward tension on the boom to help keep mainsail full. Boom Topping Lift Apparatus that keeps the boom level when the mainsail is unfurled. Heeling Takes place at higher speeds when a sailboat rides almost on its side.

Helm Keel Steering wheel on a sailboat. Similar to power boat keel except it is larger and looks like a fin. Counteracts wind.

Leeward Pronounced “looward”. The side of the boat that is opposite the side facing the wind. Protected side.

Windward Rigging

The side of the boat from which the wind comes. The side facing the wind. The lines and hardware used to trim sails to permit sailing. Standing Rigging Stationary rigging such as the mast. Not adjustable. Running Rigging Adjustable rigging that changes the trim of the sails. Mainsail Head sail The biggest, or main sail on a vessel. Smaller sail on a boat. Sits forward of the main mast. Not attached to the boom.

Jib Head sail that sits forward of the mast.

Genoa Jibe

Mast Head sail that can sit in front of and extend to just behind the mast. To turn the stern of your boat through the wind. Standing rigging to which the mainsail attaches.

Stays Spreaders

Support lines that hold the mast upright and secure. Supports perpendicular to the mast that keep the mainsail full. Main halyard The rigging used to hoist up the mainsail. Tack (v.) Tack (n.)

To tack is to turn the bow of your boat through the wind. Your course.

Furl Unfurl

To roll up or pack up the sails. To unroll, unpack, or deploy the sails. Reefing lines Rigging used to decrease size of the mainsail to lower speed of the vessel. Point of sail The direction of a boat relative to the wind. See chart in this guide. Trimming sails Adjusting sails to allow for most effective performance based on wind.

Aids to Navigation: ATON

Buoy Floating navigation aid, moored to bottom of the sea floor. May be lighted or not. Can Can or cylinder-shaped buoy. Nun Cone shape or tapered at top of buoy. Beacon Permanent mount to bottom of a body of water. Light A beacon that is lighted. Includes light house. Day Beacon A beacon with no light. Displays a sign or symbol.

Green buoys will display white odd numbers. Red buoys will display white even numbers.

Mooring. Can also be a similarly-colored sphere.

Lateral Navigation

Day beacons will be green square with odd numbers or red triangles with even numbers.

Open Water

Remember “Right Return Red”. Numbers on aids increase.

Green aids to starboard when headed to open water. Numbers on aids decrease.