fore-and-aft

Along the keel

Fore-and-aft describes something running lengthwise on a vessel, from bow to stern rather than side to side.

A fore-and-aft rig has sails set along the ship's centerline, as opposed to square-rigged sails that hang from horizontal yards.

The term extends to anything oriented along the long axis: a fore-and-aft cap, fore-and-aft balance.

rigging

sail

Ship's wind-catching fabric

schoonerMulti-masted sailing craft
mainsailPrincipal vessel canvas
jibTriangular sail forward

gaff · boom · mast · sloop · ketch · yawl · cutter · staysail · halyard · sheet

orientation

lengthwise

Along the longer dimension

bowRespectful forward inclination
sternStrict or ship's aft
keelHull's structural base

centerline · longitudinal · amidships · parallel · axis · hull · deck · waterline · midship · bilge

cap

sailor

Seafaring crew member

seamanOne who works ships
navalOf maritime warfare
peakedReached the summit

visor · garrison · wedge · overseas · military · uniform · headgear · brim · crown · nautical

Categories

watercraftboat, sailboat, kayak, canoe, ships

Opposites

nautical orientation

fore-and-aftabeam

Perpendicular to keel

crosswise · transverse · lateral · broadside · athwart

sail rigging type

fore-and-aftsquare-rigged

Sails perpendicular to hull

square · ship-rigged · full-rigged

Family

forward, before, foremost, fore, foresight, foreground, foreshadow, foreleg, aforesaid

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