Wing-and-wing

A downwind configuration in which the mainsail is set on one side and the headsail (often poled out) on the opposite side.

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Related W-terms

Wake

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

Whip

To bind the strands at the end of a rope with a tight wrapping of twine to prevent unravel…

Weather routing

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

Winch

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

Waypoint

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

Waterline

The line on the hull where it meets the water surface at the design load.

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