Code Zero

A very flat, large, reaching sail set on a continuous-line furler forward of the forestay; it fills the gap between a genoa and an asymmetric spinnaker in light upwind-to-close-reaching conditions.

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Related C-terms

Catamaran

A multihull with two parallel hulls connected by a deck, bridgedeck, or trampoline.

Companionway

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

Close reach

A point of sail between close-hauled and a beam reach, with the apparent wind about 70° of…

Clew

The aft lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail; on a mainsail it is tensioned by the outhaul,…

Cleat

A deck fitting — most commonly a horned or jam cleat — designed to hold a line under load.

Chop

Short, steep, broken waves — typically caused by wind over a shallow or restricted fetch.

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