DICTIONARY OF

Yacht 390 Yaw
Y
Yacht. Vessel built for pleasure cruising, or for racing. Earliest English yacht would appear
to be one built, at Cowes, for Queen Elizabeth in 1588. Charles II was given a vessel
('Mary') by the Dutch; this introduced the word 'yacht'-meaning 'chaser'- to the English
language.
Yacht Club. Association of yachtsmen to further the interests of yachting, to arrange races
and to frame rules and regulations for the good order of the sport. Oldest is the Royal Cork
Yacht Club, founded 1720.
Yacht Codes. Signal codes adopted, or devised, by yacht clubs before introduction of the
'International Code' of 1857. Most of the important clubs had their own codes. Acker's
'Universal Yacht Signals' was the first common code.
Yachtsman. One who owns or sails a yacht.
Yankee Jib Topsail. Balloon jib topsail cut very high in clew.
Yanky. Dutch sailing vessel of small size, and clumsy in a sea way.
Yarage.* Handiness and general manoeuvrability of a vessel.
Yard. Spar fitted across a mast, primarily to extend the head of a sail and to extend the foot
of a sail above it, if any. It can be angled so that sail can be trimmed to a prevailing wind. In
modern vessels its main purpose is to carry signal halliards.
Yard and Stay. Name sometimes given to 'union purchase' method of rigging two derricks
for loading or discharging overside. Is a relic of sailing ship seamanship, when one tackle
was put on a stay-over a hold-and other tackle was put at yard arm, so plumbing loading, or
discharging, point.
Yard Arm. That part of yard that lies between the lift and the outboard end of the yard.
Yard Arm and Yard Arm. Said of two square-rigged ships that are so closely alongside
one another that their yard arms are nearly touching.
Yard Arm Iron. Boom iron fitted at yard arm to take a studding sail boom.
Yardarm to Yardarm. Yardarm and yardarm.
Yard Rope. Rope used for sending a yard up or down.
Yard Tackle. Purchase rigged on yard of square-rigged ship for lifting heavy weights in or
out.
Yarely.* Smartly. Quickly.
Yarn. Threads that are laid up and form part of a twine, line, or strand.
Yarrow Boiler. Water-tube boiler consisting of two lower water drums and an upper steam
drum, these being connected by water tubes. In the triangle thus formed is the furnace, which
heats the water drums, tubes, and lower side of steam drum. Water level is about halfway up
steam drum.
Yaw. To lurch, or swing, to either side of an intended course.