Gooseneck

The articulated fitting that joins the forward end of the boom to the mast, allowing the boom to swing and pivot.

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 G-terms

Ground tackle

The collective name for the anchor and its rode (chain, warp, swivels, and shackles).

Galley

The cooking area below decks, typically containing a gimballed stove, sink, refrigeration,…

Galvanic series

A ranking of metals by their tendency to corrode in a given electrolyte (typically seawate…

GPS

Global Positioning System — the US satellite constellation whose signals let a receiver co…

Grab bag

A watertight bag pre-packed with survival essentials (flares, water, food, EPIRB, handheld…

Gybe

See jibe — a turn in which the stern passes through the wind.

← Back to full glossary