Companionway

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

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

Centerboard
A pivoting keel that can be raised into a trunk to reduce draft and lowered to resist leew…
Code Zero
A very flat, large, reaching sail set on a continuous-line furler forward of the forestay;…
Clew
The aft lower corner of a fore-and-aft sail; on a mainsail it is tensioned by the outhaul,…
Crew
Everyone aboard besides the skipper who helps sail and run the boat.
Cruising chute
A cruiser-friendly asymmetric downwind sail, simpler to handle than a conventional spinnak…
Centerline
The imaginary line running down the middle of the vessel from bow to stern.
← Back to full glossary
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo