Jackstay / Jackline

A wire, webbing strap, or spliced rope run fore-and-aft along each sidedeck, to which a safety harness tether can be clipped so the crew stays attached when moving around.

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 J-terms

Jib

The small triangular headsail set forward of the mast, tacked to the stemhead and hanked, …

Jiffy reef

See slab reefing — a rapid reefing method where a fixed reef point is pulled down to the b…

Jury rig

An improvised, temporary repair or substitute — for example, replacing a broken mast with …

Jibe

(Also 'gybe') To change tack by turning the stern through the wind, allowing the mainsail …

Jibe oh

The skipper's command warning the crew that the mainsail is about to swing — the command t…

← Back to full glossary