In our marina in Genoa, we do not use cords, and we certainly do not use cords on a boat. If a skipper gives instructions to their crew using this term, something is not right! Yachting has a vocabulary all its own, made up of nautical terms that are often curious, and those who live it must be aware that every word has its own specific meaning. Ropes do not exist; one cannot confuse the halyard with the sheet, and “assucare” and “cazzare” are not perfect synonyms. And do not be mischievous! Let us therefore take a quick look at all the nautical terms relating to textile lines on boats and the actions that can be performed with them.
Brief glossary of nautical terms
The basic lexicon of nautical terms requires knowledge of the word cima (line) to indicate the rope used for mooring, as well as the gomena (hawser), which differs only in size. A particular line is the codetta (stern line), used at the stern when mooring at the berth or for towing.
Still speaking of size, the sagola (cord) has a limited diameter, generally between 1.5 and 5 millimeters. For sailors, the halyard is used to hoist the sail, and the sheet to adjust it. The stroppo (strop) is a short length, the messenger acts as a sacrificial fairlead guide, while the barbetta (painter) is used for towing. The matafione (reef point), on the other hand, has the task of holding the reefed sail, and the topping lift supports the boom when the mainsail is lowered.
Is the difference clear? Let us now look at the verbs that indicate their use. A skipper who coils a line is simply gathering it into a coil, which could be done, for example, to tidy up on board after leaving the berth after mooring. Hauling in (cazzare) means applying greater tension, and taking up the slack (assucare) is only a partial synonym: it should in fact only be applied after easing. Do not forget the difference between easing (lascare), which means reducing the grip, and veering (filare), which means loosening the grip by letting it run. A subtlety that can avoid embarrassment on board. Finally, to remove tension, the correct term is letting go (mollare).
Getting fouled, less commonly used with the transitive to foul, indicates when a line becomes tangled with itself, with other lines, or with any object. Making fast indicates securing a line firmly to a support, more generally called hitching. Taking a turn corresponds to making a complete turn of the rope around the support. To connect two lines (so as to create a longer one), the correct term is not to tie, but to splice (intugliare). Finally, let us remember not only the term but also the good practice of flaking (abbisciare), that is, gathering a line in a snake-like fashion so as not to throw it in disorder on the deck. More generally, it can also mean storing a line on a flat surface by organizing it in concentric strips so that it does not become tangled.
Speaking of cords, for a skipper, denotes a worrying difficulty in managing nautical terminology. Anyone approaching the world of yachting would do well to become familiar with the most commonly used nautical terms, by attending courses at nautical schools, going out to sea with some old sea dogs, or seeking help from boat neighbors and moorers in their reference marina. In our port in Genoa, maritime culture is alive and proudly cultivated!