draft

The depth of a vessel's keel below the water line, especially when loaded; the minimum water depth necessary to float a ship.


draft (also draught)

  1. The amount taken in by a single act of drinking.
  2. The drawing of a liquid, as from a cask or keg.

fathom

A unit of length equal to six feet, used principally in the measurement and specification of marine depths.


freeboard

A measurement on the side of a ship between the deck the waterline.


heel

  1. To lean to one side, especially a ship.
  2. The measurement of a ships tilt to one side.

"The ship heeled to starboard."


league

A unit of distance equal to three miles.


Leeward

The direction away from the wind, or downwind. The side of the ship away from the wind is the "lee" side.


log

  1. A record of a ship's speed, its progress, and any shipboard events of navigational importance, or the book in which the record is kept.
  2. A knotted length of line with a piece of wood at the end which is thrown into the water to determine how many "knots" run out in a set period of time.

Windward

The direction into the wind, or upwind.