Windward side

Waypoint

A position — latitude and longitude — stored in a GPS or chartplotter and used as a step i…

Wake

The disturbed water and trailing waves left behind a moving vessel.

Wind generator

A mast- or pole-mounted propeller-driven turbine that converts apparent-wind energy into b…

Watermaker

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

Working sheet

The leeward sheet carrying load — the one actually trimming the sail at that moment.

Winch

A drum with a handle (manual) or motor (electric/hydraulic) that provides mechanical advan…