Easy Guide to Talking Salty

Why is a ship called "she" -  
A ship is called a "she" because there is always a great deal of bustle around her.
There is usually a gang of men about.
She has a waist and stays.
It takes a lot of paint to keep her good looking.
Its not the initial expense that breaks you, it is the upkeep.
She can be all decked out.
It takes an experienced man to handle her correctly.
Without a man at the helm, she is absolutely uncontrollable.
She shows her topsides, hides her bottom and, when coming into port, always heads for the buoys. 

Amidships - condition of being surrounded by boats. 

Anchor - a device designed to bring up mud samples from the bottom at inopportune or  unexpected times. 

Anchor Light - a small light used to discharge the battery before daylight. 

Berth - a little addition to the crew. 

Boom - sometimes the result of a surprise jibe. 

Bottom Paint - what you get when the cockpit seats are freshly painted. 

Chart - a type of map which tells you exactly where you are aground. 

Clew - an indication from the skipper as to what he might do next. 

Companionway - a double berth. 

Dead Reckoning - a course leading directly to a reef. 

Deadrise - getting up to check the anchor at 0300. 

Deviation - any departure from the Captain’s orders. 

Dinghy - the sound of the ship’s bell. 

Displacement - when you dock your boat and can’t find it later. 

Estimated Position - a place you have marked on the chart where you are sure you are not. 

First Mate - crew member necessary for skippers to practice shouting instructions to. 

Foul Wind - breeze produced by flying turkey. 

Freeboard - food and liquor supplied by the owner. 

Headway - what you are making if you can’t get the toilet to work. 

Heave-Ho - what you do when you’ve eaten too much Ho. 

Jibe - either you like it or you don’t and it gets you. 

Keel - term used by 1st mate after too much heel by skipper. 

Landlubber - anyone on board who wishes he were not. 

Latitude - the number of degrees off course allowed a guest. 

Mast - religious ritual used before setting sail. 

Mizzen - an object you can’t find. 

Ram - an intricate docking maneuver sometimes used by experienced skippers. 

Rhumb Line - two or more crew members waiting for a drink. 

Sheet - cool, damp, salty night covering. 

Shroud - equipment used in connection with a wake. 

Starboard - special board used by skippers for navigation(usually with "Port" on the opposite  side.) 

Swell - a wave that’s just great. 

Square Rigger - a rigger over 30.