Beam reach

A point of sail in which the wind blows at roughly 90° to the boat's direction of travel.

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Related B-terms

Breastline

A short line led directly from the vessel to the dock, holding the hull close alongside.

Block

The marine term for a pulley — a sheave in a housing through which a line runs.

Boltrope

A length of rope sewn inside the foot or luff of a sail so the sail can be slid into a gro…

Burdened vessel

The former term (replaced in modern COLREGs usage by 'give-way vessel') for the vessel obl…

Bottom

The underwater surface of the hull.

Back

(1) To haul a sail to windward so the wind fills the wrong side, stopping the boat or driv…

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