Winch

A drum with a handle (manual) or motor (electric/hydraulic) that provides mechanical advantage when sheeting or hoisting; self-tailing winches feed the line off automatically.

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Related W-terms

Watermaker

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

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…

Working sails

The mainsail plus the standard (working) jib — the boat's all-round sail wardrobe for mode…

Weather helm

The boat's tendency to turn into the wind if the helm is released; some is desirable for f…

Windward

Toward the source of the wind.

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