Weather helm

The boat's tendency to turn into the wind if the helm is released; some is desirable for feel and safety, but excessive weather helm signals an overpowered or mis-trimmed rig.

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 W-terms

Windward side

The side of the boat facing the wind.

Whisker pole

A light spar temporarily set between the mast and the clew of a poled-out jib to hold it s…

Weather side

See windward side — the side of the boat the wind strikes first.

Weather routing

The practice — today usually software-assisted using GRIB forecasts and the boat's polars …

Wing-and-wing

A downwind configuration in which the mainsail is set on one side and the headsail (often …

Watermaker

A reverse-osmosis desalinator that forces seawater through a semi-permeable membrane at hi…

← Back to full glossary