ABBREVIATIONS
DC Direct Current
AC Alternating Current
HYD Hydraulic
gal Gallons (US)
lt Litres
Mpa Megapascal
PSI Pounds per square inch
lb Pound
kg Kilogram
Min Minute
m Metre
mm Millimetre
" Inch
' / ft Feet
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
AMPS Workload - determined as up to the maximum amps.
Anchor Rode - the line that secures the anchor to the vessel, consisting of either rope, chain, or a combination of rope and chain.
Automatic Free Fall - windlass releases automatic clutch by means of a remote switch for rapid deployment. No user interaction.
Bridle- chain stopper/compressor, devils claw. Located between the winch and bow roller. Secures chain and takes load off the winch/windlass.
Capstan- drum, rope drum. The capstan is used for hauling rope.
Displacement- the amount of water displaced by a floating vessel, usually measured in tonnes.
Fixed Drive - direct couple from transmission to gypsy/capstan.
Free Fall - release of clutch manually releases the chain to freefall.
Gypsy, Chain Gypsy, Wildcat, Chain Wheel - a special wheel with pockets to suit chain and or rope for hauling up the anchor and anchor rode.
Hauling- weighing, lifting. The operation of lifting anchor, rope or chain.
Howser - chain pipe that anchor rode feeds through into locker.
Horizontal Windlass/Winch - Drive shaft, capstan and gypsy are located horizontally to the deck.
Inline Drive - powerful and efficient integrated gearbox and motor.
Manual Operation System (MOS) - handle fits directly into gypsy by removing the capstan or clutch top.
Manual Override System (MORS) - handle fits into windlass top and overrides the transmission and ratchet drive system. Power backup can be used.
Maximum Load - the maximum operating load that could be applied to the windlass, but the load the winch would normally be subjected to is substantially less.
Maximum Line Speed - the maximum speed at which the anchor rode could be retrieved.
Ratchet Drive - indirect couple from transmission to gypsy/capstan via a ratchet cone. This allows for normal powered operation and manual operation where some power is available.
RCMS - Rope Chain Management System - refer to Accessories for further information.
Vertical Windlass / Winch - drive shaft, capstan and gypsy are located vertically to the deck.
Workload- typical lift. Usually up to 25 percent of the Maximum Load.
Bitter end - the free end of a line
Standing part - the longer part of a line which is fixed during the tying of a knot
Bight - The part of the rope between the end and the standing part. A loop formed by folding the rope back on itself
Turn - a loop formed around a post, rail, or the line itself
Crossing Turn - a circle of rope made by crossing the rope over itself
Loop - a circle of rope made by bringing two parts of the rope together without crossing them over each other
Splice - weaving strands of a line to itself or to a second piece of line
Whipping - wrapping twine or tape around line to line’s end to prevent unraveling
Seizing - wrapping twine or tape around two lines to bind two parts of line side by side
Worming - laying smaller line in the spiral grooves (with the lay) between line strands
Parcelling - winding strips of canvas over, and in the same direction as, worming
Serving - winding small line against the lay and over worming and parcelling to protect line from chafe and water damage
Flemish - to make a Flemish coil by taking the end of a line and laying it in a tight flat spiral on the deck. Used to "tidy" up and keep line neat
Faking - laying a line on deck in a series figure eights so the line will run free without tangling
Flaking - laying out line on deck in parallel rows. Don’t confuse with faking.
Short splice - the strongest way to connect two lines. This splice has 6 strands in the cross section and is thick and may not run through a block
Long splice - the strand of one line replaces the strand of the other line. The size of line is kept the same however, and it is weaker than the short splice
Eye splice - stronger than any knot in forming a loop in a line
Thimble - a metal or plastic form inserted in the eye splice to prevent chafe
Back splice - splicing a line back on itself to prevent unraveling - it like the short splice has a cross section of 6 strands and may not be able to be pulled through a block
Eye - A loop made in the end of a rope either by knotting, seizing or splicing.
Coil - Rope made into a neat series of loops or circles, usually for storing.