Sailing vocabulary

As with all things new, there comes a new vocabulary.  Or at least new definitions for words you may already know.  Clearly in sailing, there is a completely new vocabulary.  Let me introduce you to a few of these, and introduce you to the boat that I spend a great deal of time on, however, never enough. 

The boat that I sail on is the Katie. And whether named after women or not, all boats are referred to as females.  Some sailors say it's because they are fickle, others because you must spend time with them to know them well.  The Katie is a slow, comfortable boat.  Think recreational vehicle.  Think Airstream.  She has beautiful lines, is very well designed and is very forgiving.  She sails magnificently, and once she finds her track in the water, she will stay on it.  

Down below she is fully equipped. There is a galley (kitchen), in which one person at a time can stand. It has a two burner stove top and oven, a double sink, ample storage, and most importantly a fridge with freezer.  This is a massive refrigerator, think double door 20 cubic feet.  Keeps all the provisions, just right.  In the Main Salon -- dining area and sofas, there are two banks of settees, and a fold up table that will seat 8 in a pinch.  Usually just right for the three of us.  This is also our entertainment area.  In the evening we may watch streaming video or even watch images from the days exploration.  The main salon can also sleep up to three if required.  

There is the head -- bathroom.  It has a sink with pressurized water.  There is a pump toilet that acts like most camping toilets or toilets in Mexico -- it isn't always happy about paper.  When you close the door to the head and pull back the shower curtain, the faucet can be removed to use as a shower head.  It is even complete with a hook for the nozzle so that it appears to come out of the wall.  

There are two distinct sleeping quarters -- the V berth (bed) and the quarter berth.  Both can offer complete privacy, but we rarely close them off.   Generally my friends sleep in the quarter berth which is smaller accommodations, but they like to be close together.  It is in the aft or stern (rear) portion of the boat, near the navigation station.  So it makes sense for the Captain to be near the instruments and radio.  Typically, I sleep in the V-berth.  It is in the front (bow) of the boat, and is V shaped.  It is the bigger of the two private accommodations, but we often store stuff in the other half of the berth.  And because of the V shape people taller than 6 feet have difficulty fitting.  Even at 5'5" I often bump my head or my toes.  

While we are able to sleep on the boat anchored out, away from land, on the high seas if you will, that is not our preference.  We prefer to be in a marina, at a dock, attached to shore power and water.  That is how the AC runs.  

it is a form of living in community, albeit a very small community.  We each have tasks that we are assigned and the three of us depend on the others to complete their assigned tasks.  We meet others who travel in similar communities at yacht clubs, marinas, and other gatherings.  

it becomes a thin place