Kedge, Kedge Anchor, Keel, Keelboat, Keel Stepped, Kellet, Ketch,
Key, King Spoke, Kit, Knock, Knockdown, Knot.
KEDGE
(Kedging or Kedge-Off)
To Warp or pull a Vessel that has run aground into deeper water
by Hauling on the Rode of a Kedge Anchor.
[e.g., Floatable objects such as Life Jackets or other flotation
devices can be used to drop Anchor in deeper water, then the
boat is pulled toward the Anchor until the boat is in deep enough
water to be able to float on its own and get Under Way.]
KEDGE ANCHOR
A Kedge Anchor consists of broad, hooklike arms at the Crown, with
Flukes, Palms, and sharp Bills at the end of each arm, and a long
and straight Shank between the Crown and Head. The Head of the Anchor
is where the Ring and Stock are located. The hook design of the arms
ensure a firm Bite on hard bottoms and allows the Anchor to catch
onto crevices in rocky Bottoms. The heavy weight of the Kedge Anchor
as well as its sharp Bills help penetrate dense vegetation and dig
deeper into soft Bottom for greater Holding Power. The arms are
perpendicular to the Stock so that the Anchor doesn't roll after
it Hooks the Bottom.
(Also, see DANFORTH ANCHOR and PLOW ANCHOR)
KEEL
The outside bottom of the Hull. On old wooden Vessels, it was the
bottom-most central Fore-And-Aft structural spine of the boat,
extending from Stem to Stern, eventually projecting from the
bottom of the hull to provide stability, reduce lateral motion,
and to sail closer to the wind.
(Also, see BALLAST and FIN KEEL)
KEELBOAT
A Sailing Vessel that is configured with a weighted extension at the
bottom-most exterior of the Hull (i.e., the Keel) for the purpose of
providing Ballast in order to Head-up closer into the wind.
KEEL STEPPED
A Mast Stepped Below on the Keel, rather than Topside on Deck.
KELLET
(See SENTINEL)
KETCH
A two Masted, Fore-and-Aft Rigged, Sailing Vessel with a large Main Mast
and a smaller Mizzen Mast that is Stepped forward of the Rudder Post.
(Also, see YAWL)
KEY
A small coral Reef.
(Also, see CAY)
KING SPOKE
The top Spoke on a Helm Wheel when the Rudder is centered.
KIT
(See SAILORS KIT)
KNOCK
A Backing Wind that causes a boat to Sail below its mean Course.
A Knock can also be large enough to initiate an unintended Tack.
(Also, see LIFT)
KNOCKDOWN
The Capsizing of a boat resulting from strong Wind and Waves.
(Also, see CAPSIZE)
KNOT
1. A term indicating Knots such as the Bend, Hitch, Splice, etc.
2. A maritime distance or speed equivalent to one Nautical Mile per hour.
