luffing
Canvas losing wind
Luffing is the flapping or shaking of a sail when it's pointed too close to the wind and loses its taut shape.
The term extends to cranes and derricks, where a luffing jib moves up and down rather than swinging side to side: The crane's luffing motion raised the load vertically.
In sailing, luffing may be intentional—to slow down or signal—or a mistake indicating poor trim.
Rapid wing motion
- floggingBeating as punishment
- shiveringInvoluntary bodily trembling
- billowingPuffing out dramatically
- flutteringLight, rapid movement
slack · loose · snapping · whipping · quivering · oscillating · vibrating · rippling
Angled sailing maneuver
- jibingMatching in agreement
- helmVessel's steering mechanism
- rudderPivoting stern blade
- bearingPosture or orientation
heading · course · windward · leeward · close-hauled · pointing · pinching · feathering
Line tensioning sail's foot
- cunninghamLuff tension control line
- leechBlood-feeding aquatic worm
- battensThin fastening strips
- draftPreliminary version of text
camber · twist · reefing · halyard · sheet · telltales · flatness · tension
flapping
Rapid wing motion
fluttering · slack · loose · snapping · whipping · quivering · oscillating · vibrating · rippling · undulating
tacking
Angled sailing maneuver
bearing · heading · course · windward · leeward · close-hauled · pointing · pinching · feathering · gybing
outhaul
Line tensioning sail's foot
- cunninghamLuff tension control line
- leechBlood-feeding aquatic worm
- battensThin fastening strips
draft · camber · twist · reefing · halyard · sheet · telltales · flatness · tension · shape
gust
Brief wind surge
header · lift · lull · windward · zephyr · squall · turbulence · eddy · draft · veering
mainsail
Principal vessel canvas
spinnaker · leech · foot · batten · clew · tack · head · forestay · sagging · untrimmed