Channel

A navigable stretch of water — usually marked with buoyage — where depth is sufficient for safe passage.

Test your knowledge

Know your nautical terms? Play the free SkipperCheck daily maritime quiz — COLREGs, navigation, VHF radio, seamanship. Earn points, climb the global leaderboard.

Play the Daily Quiz →

Related C-terms

Cruising chute

A cruiser-friendly asymmetric downwind sail, simpler to handle than a conventional spinnak…

Centerboard

A pivoting keel that can be raised into a trunk to reduce draft and lowered to resist leew…

Catboat

A simple rig with a single mainsail stepped on an unstayed mast set well forward, with no …

Chafe

Wear on a rope, sail, or sheet caused by repeated rubbing against another surface.

Current

Horizontal movement of water driven by tide, wind, river flow, or ocean circulation.

Companionway

The stairway or ladder leading from the cockpit or deck down into the cabin.

← Back to full glossary