Port tack

Sailing with the wind coming over the port side; under the COLREGs, a port-tack vessel normally gives way to a starboard-tack vessel.

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Related P-terms

Point

(1) To sail close to the wind. (2) A legacy unit of compass direction equal to 11¼° (32 po…

Prevailing wind

The statistically dominant wind direction for a region or season.

Points of sail

The classification of a boat's course relative to the wind — close-hauled, close reach, be…

Pay out

To let out or surrender a line in a controlled way.

Port

(1) The left side of the boat when facing forward. (2) A harbour. (3) A small window or op…

Pintle

The pin of a rudder fitting that drops into a gudgeon on the transom, allowing the rudder …

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