SCHOONER JARGON

Contributed by Harold Stephens, after a dark and stormy night …

Rising Tide is a "she", not an "it". She is a ship that has a soul and is alive, and must be treated with the respect that one gives a lady. Talk to her gently, and she will respond. Never curse nor damn her, even in jest. And let no others, do the same.

Rising Tide is a ship, not a boat. A boat is any vessel that can be brought aboard a ship.

Rising Tide does not have a "left" nor a "right" side; they are port (left) and starboard (right).

Rising Tide does not have a "downstairs" nor an "upstairs." They are "below deck" for downstairs and "top side" for upstairs. And those steps that lead below deck and top side are called "ladders" not stairs.

Rising Tide does not have an "upfront" nor a "back." They are "fore" and "aft."

Rising Tide does not have a kitchen; only a galley.

Rising Tide does not have beds; only bunks.

Rising Tide does not have toilets; only heads.

Rising Tide does not have "ropes" aboard. They are "lines"

Rising Tide does have crew which she calls "deckhands" and deck hands do not "tie ropes" they "secure lines".

Rising Tide does have halyards, that is, lines that pull up sails.

Rising Tide has cables, both fore and aft and port and starboard. Cables fore and aft are caleld "stays" and those on port and starboard are called "shrouds". The hold the mast in place.

Rising Tide does have a "rubber raft" called a dinghy which is pulled aft by a line called a "painter."

Rising Tide does not have maps to guide her, they are "charts" and they are kept in a chart table.

The captain is always right even when he's wrong. Always call him captain, and answer "Ay, ay, Sir." Repeat all orders he gives, so there is no misunderstanding.
One never whistles aboard a vessel at sea, for whistling brings unfavourable winds.
Neptune must be appeased when "pollywogs" cross the Equator for the first time. Even a dash of spirits tossed to the wind will help.

The fun of yatching is being nautical and respectful of the sea. Remember, we do not conquer the sea, nor do we conquer nature; nature is merely lenient with us, for it can take us anytime it wants; thus we appease it.