Glossary of Nautical Terms

Garbling – The (illegal) practice of mixing cargo with garbage.

Garboard – The strake closest to the keel (from Dutch gaarboard).

Garboard planks – The planks immediately either side of the keel.

Gash – Any refuse or rubbish which is discarded into a refuse container or dustbin which is known as “gash fanny” (South African Navy).

Gash Fanny – Refuse container or dustbin.

Gennaker – A large, lightweight sail used for sailing a fore-and-aft rig down or across the wind, intermediate between a genoa and a spinnaker.

Genoa or genny – A large jib, strongly overlapping the mainmast.

Ghost – To sail slowly when there is apparently no wind.

Gibe – See gybe.

Give-way (vessel) – Where two vessels are approaching one another so as to involve a risk of collision, this is the vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of the other.

Global Positioning System (GPS) – A satellite based radionavigation system providing continuous worldwide coverage. It provides navigation, position, and timing info to air, marine, and land users.

Going about or tacking – Changing from one tack to another by going through the wind (see gybe).

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