Dead downwind

Sailing directly with the wind astern, 180° from its source.

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Related D-terms

Draft

The vertical distance from the waterline to the deepest part of the keel — the minimum wat…

DSC

Digital Selective Calling — a feature of modern VHF and SSB radios that allows a pre-forma…

Dock

A quay, pontoon, or berth where a vessel ties up — and also the act of bringing her alongs…

Downhaul

A line on some rigs that pulls down a sliding gooseneck to tension the luff of the mainsai…

Depth sounder

An electronic instrument (also called an echo sounder) that measures depth below the trans…

Daysailer

A small open or lightly decked sailboat intended for short pleasure sails rather than over…

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