A lever used for steering, attached to the top of the rudder post. Used mainly on smaller vessels, such as dinghies and rowing boats.
Related Terms |
GUDGEON
A metal socket into which the pintle of a boat's rudder fits.
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PINTLE
The pin or bolt on which a ship's rudder pivots. The pintle rests in the gudgeon.
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WHIPSTAFF
The vertical lever controlling ship’s rudder
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HELM
The wheel or tiller controlling the rudder.
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RUDDER
A vertical plate or board for steering a boat.
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COUNTER
The part of the stern above the waterline that extends beyond the rudder stock culminating in a small transom. A long counter increases the waterline length when the boat is heeled, so increasing hull speed.
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LEE HELM
The tendency of a sailboat to turn to leeward in a strong wind when there is no change in the rudder's position. This is the opposite of weather helm and is the result of a dynamically unbalanced condition.
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FIXED PROPELLER
A propeller mounted on a rigid shaft protruding from the hull of a vessel, usually driven by an inboard motor; steering must be done using a rudder. See also outboard motor and sterndrive.
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OUTBOARD MOTOR
A motor mounted externally on the transom of a small boat. The boat may be steered by twisting the whole motor, instead of or in addition to using a rudder.
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STEERING BOARD
A long, flat board or oar that went from the stern to well underwater, used to steer vessels before the invention of the rudder. Traditionally on the starboard side of a ship (the 'steering board' side).
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