Aboard

Aback

A sail that has been trimmed so the wind pushes against the reverse side of the cloth, fil…

Asymmetric spinnaker

A downwind sail (also called a cruising chute or gennaker) with a fixed tack but no pole, …

Athwartships

Running across the vessel from one side to the other, at right angles to the fore-and-aft …

Anchor windlass

An electric or manual winch mounted on the foredeck that hauls and lowers the anchor chain…

Alternator

An engine-driven generator that converts mechanical rotation into alternating current, whi…

Astern

In the water behind the vessel, or moving backwards.