From the Author
During the past several hundred years the boating community has developed a language all its own. This book offers over a thousand examples of nautical terms and phrases from that language. There are, many more, some so esoteric that they're used by just a small group. People who are new to the world of boats often have difficulty understanding the meaning of many of the new words to which they are now exposed Often, it must seem as though they're listening to a language other than English.. This book is not intended to list every one of the obscure terms, but I hope it will give the reader an understanding of a broad cross-section of those that may arise in the course of being a boating enthusiast.
Most people use at least a few of these terms or phrases in everyday conversation without realizing the nautical nature of the term. The first entry in this book is a prime example - we are taken aback by an unmanageable condition. Sometimes we take a sounding to see how much leeway we have and grant a wide berth to those who may be off-course. And the phrase bitter end takes on a special meaning for anyone who's been unfortunate enough to see the loose end of their anchor rode disappear over the bow and into the deep.
I hope that reading a boating-related magazine or having a conversation on the dock will be much less puzzling after browsing through these pages and that you'll find the book useful as a handy reference even after you've become an old hand.
Enjoy your newfound knowledge.
About the Author
Dave Yetman comes by his nautical interests quite naturally. He's a lifelong New Englander who's spent most of his adult life within sight of the water. His seafaring ancestors include Labrador fishermen, lighthouse keepers and a Cape Cod grandfather who was an inventor, shipbuilder and noted for his models of historic New England lighthouses.
His own career has been in mechanical design and engineering, first as an entrepreneur and later as an engineering manager for an international technology company. He's been awarded patents for a wide range of devices, from motorcycle frames to biomedical laboratory instruments. He enjoys applying his talents to his boats, which usually end up in a highly customized state.
In 1996, a friend encouraged him to embark on a writing career. Since then, his work has gained wide acceptance in the boating press and recieved an award in the 1997 from Boating Writers International. His articles, photography and technical illustrations have been published in Boating World, Lakeland Boating, Motorboating & Sailing, Offshore, Sail, Sea Kayaker, Soundings, Trailer Boats and Yachting magazines.
The Boater's Book of Nautical Terms started out as a simple list of words and phrases that were new to him when he began boating. The list grew and became a folder, then a three-ring binder and the rest, as they say, is history.
Dave and his wife, Pat, enjoy cruising the New England coast on CURMUDGEON, their Albin Tournament Express convertible.
