Full explanations of more than 8,500 terms and phrases used by sailors, boaters, and seamen.

“Written for the sailor, not the scholar. Rousmaniere leaves out the chaff and gives us just the wheat. Astonishingly comprehensive and slender enough to carry aboard.” —Don Casey, author of This Old Boat From "abaft" to "Zulu," including terms as new as "bowrider" and as old as "starboard," here is the language of pleasure boating—clearly defined terms that today's sailors and powerboaters rely on to make their way safely and happily upon America's coastal waters.

Printed in an irresistible new gift format, this pocket dictionary brings new meaning to the things said at sea. The cleverly essential volume defines and illustrates the terms of sailing, from "ahoy" to "zephyr". Drawings throughout.

From abaft to Zulu, including terms as new as bowrider and as old as starboard, here is the language of pleasure boating--clearly defined terms that today's sailors and powerboaters rely on to make their way safely and happily upon America's waters. Families of related terms are grouped together in special sections. QUIZ: What do the following phrases mean: head up, harden up, come up, round up, freshen your wind, sharpen up, sharpen your wind, heat it up? ANSWER: The same thing: steer closer to the wind.

Offering a comprehensive listing of all the terms boaters need to know to safely guide their craft through the waterways of the world, this book defines the fundamentals of sailing in alphabetically arranged entries that convey the unique fascinating substance of nautical lore. 120 color drawings and photos.

Old sailors loved nothing better than vying with one another at sea or in harbor to recognize a ship or boat on the horizon. It was sometimes an important life-saving talent to have in battle; modern boat enthusiasts, including yachtsman and fishermen, still like to indulge their nostalgic fancy in this old interest. There have been many thousands of water vessels developed within the last three and a half thousand years, from the simple wooden log or dug-out to the huge sophisticated ships of Brunel and other nineteenth century designers. It is the author's intention to give reader's a simple, quick reference book, illustrating and describing briefly some of these old ships and boats up to the turn of the century. It is not a definitive work (if it was it would be more than one volume), but a handy book for those many enthusiasts who love the sea and would like to know more about these old and interesting vessels.