Question to the sailors

Zef · Zef's Garage

Open to sailors...Where come from the expression Port and Starboard...!!!?

ben parrish · 01-07-2007, 08:01 AM

Port and starboard are shipboard terms for left and right, respectively. Confusing those two could cause a ship wreck. In Old England, the starboard was the steering paddle or rudder, and ships were always steered from the right side on the back of the vessel. Larboard referred to the left side, the side on which the ship was loaded. So how did larboard become port? Shouted over the noise of the wind and the waves, larboard and starboard sounded too much alike. The word port means the opening in the "left" side of the ship from which cargo was unloaded. Sailors eventually started using the term to refer to that side of the ship. Use of the term "port" was officially adopted by the U.S. Navy by General Order, 18 February 1846.

Joeaksa · 01-07-2007, 09:05 AM

Suppose now you want to know about the identification lights on the left and right of the boat?

Funny thing, airplanes use the same formula, and several cars that I know of. Jaguar used to color code the switch for their fuel tanks so that a red or green light showed depending on which side tank was being used.

From Wiki:

The origin of the term comes from old boating practices. Before ships had rudders on their centerline, they were steered by use of a specialized oar. This oar was held by a sailor located towards the stern (back) of the ship. However, like most of the rest of society, there were many more right-handed sailors than left-handed sailors. This meant that the right-handed sailors holding the steering oar (which had been broadened to provide better control) used to stand on the right side of the ship. The word starboard comes from Old English steorbord, literally meaning the side on which the ship is steered. The old English term steorbord descends from the Old Norse words stýri meaning “rudder” and borð meaning “side of a ship”. The modern term "steering wheel" comes from the same language root as "starboard" or "steer board".

Similarly, the term for the left side of the boat, port, is derived from the practice of sailors mooring on the left side (i.e., the larboard or loading side) as to prevent the steering boards from being crushed. Because the words larboard and starboard sounded too similar to be easily distinguished, larboard was changed to port.

The starboard side of most naval vessels the world over is designated the 'senior' side. The officers' gangway or sea ladder is shipped on this side and this side of the quarterdeck is reserved for the captain. The flag or pennant of the ship's captain or senior officer in command is generally hoist on the starboard yard.

Surprised Bill Verburg has not chimed in here but he is not on OT that often. He is a big sailor and wish I had 10% the time on the ocean he has. Miss sailing and need to find a boat again.

Moneyguy1 · 01-07-2007, 09:07 AM

Once the two were "larboard" and "starboard" Much confusion

legion · 01-07-2007, 09:22 AM

Hey thailor!

Zef · Zef's Garage

Thanks guys...I learned something today...

fingpilot · 01-07-2007, 09:46 AM

Ben has it perfectly right.

Joeaksa · 01-07-2007, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
Hey thailor!

Yes big boy? You know what it takes to keep sailors happy dont you? Rum and girls!

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Yes big boy? You know what it takes to keep sailors happy dont you? Rum and girls!

Now for a more interesting time, go look up the origin of the phrase "...turn in the barrel." As in "Joe, it's your turn in the barrel..."

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

How do you separate the men from the boys in the Greek Navy?

With a crowbar.

Joeaksa · 01-07-2007, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fingpilot
Ben has it perfectly right.

What in the hell do you know? Just because you LIVE ON A FRIGGING SAILBOAT do you really think you are a sailor??

Do you ever unhook that puppy from the dock and sail? I need to get over to the LA area someday and bother you for a drink and tour of the boat and hangar someday!

Joe

tabs · 01-07-2007, 10:00 AM

I thought that Starboard and Larboard had to with who the Pitcher and Catcher was...

notfarnow · 01-07-2007, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by legion
Hey thailor!

Ever been to sea, boy?

No, but I've been blown ashore!

pwd72s · 01-07-2007, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
What in the hell do you know? Just because you LIVE ON A FRIGGING SAILBOAT do you really think you are a sailor??

Do you ever unhook that puppy from the dock and sail? I need to get over to the LA area someday and bother you for a drink and tour of the boat and hangar someday!

Joe

This is funny. I had a liveaboard friend in the Mediterranean when I was dinghy sailing. During a letter exchange, we determined that I spent more hours on the water with sails up in a year than he did. Of course, when he sailed, he logged more miles....

fingpilot · 01-07-2007, 11:09 AM

Actually, that IS funny. Prior to moving aboard, I sailed almost every day. Now I have to stow the sat antenna, put all the stuff that is out away, and stash the computer, etc. I used to be able to get underway in 30 minutes. Now it's more like 2 hours.

I still DO get out, and yes, Joe, you need to stop by sometime.

pwd72s · 01-07-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fingpilot
Actually, that IS funny. Prior to moving aboard, I sailed almost every day. Now I have to stow the sat antenna, put all the stuff that is out away, and stash the computer, etc. I used to be able to get underway in 30 minutes. Now it's more like 2 hours.

I still DO get out, and yes, Joe, you need to stop by sometime.

Eaxctly! With my dinghy, a short tow to the reservoir, 20 minutes to rig & launch, and I was sailing. With my friend's old 57' wooden Ketch, it was quite a project to change the boat from "home" to boat again in order to get underway.

notfarnow · 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fingpilot
Actually, that IS funny. Prior to moving aboard, I sailed almost every day. Now I have to stow the sat antenna, put all the stuff that is out away, and stash the computer, etc. I used to be able to get underway in 30 minutes. Now it's more like 2 hours.

Funny, I notice the same at the club I sail out of. The guys with 22' boats are out all the time. Takes them 10 minutes to get rigged up & underway.

The folks with the bigger boats go out for the thursday races and the occasional weekend outing, but that's about it.

When I had a 15' dinghy, I would go out 3-4 times a week right after work... even if for only an hour long sail. I don't get out nearly as much on my Chrysler 22. I'm hoping a roller furler will be enough to get me out more this season.

Joeaksa · 01-07-2007, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by notfarnow
Ever been to sea, boy?

No, but I've been blown ashore!

Photos man, we need photos!

Michael,

Did you ever get your Bermuda license? Still working on renewing mine and they want me to go out next week but need more time at home, so stalling until end of the month.

If I get close to your neck of the woods will let you know. Are you back on the flight schedule and galavanting around the world or on a normal work schedule now?

Joe A

PS, bet if the right young ladies sauntered up to the boat that you could get it underway quite smartly

Finally... why we really sail, sun going down in the Med.

Sailing into Athens after being on the Med for a week, island hopping.

Joeaksa · 01-07-2007, 11:46 AM

Forgot one... Michael, the gent pictured is another -4 driver. He knows what is important whilst sailing!

fingpilot · 01-07-2007, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Photos man, we need photos!

Michael,

Did you ever get your Bermuda license? Still working on renewing mine and they want me to go out next week but need more time at home, so stalling until end of the month.

If I get close to your neck of the woods will let you know. Are you back on the flight schedule and galavanting around the world or on a normal work schedule now?

Joe A

PS, bet if the right young ladies sauntered up to the boat that you could get it underway quite smartly

Several important things come to mind here......

1) Somebody is smoking on the upwind side of the boat... BAAAAAD.....

2) In spite of obviously being underway, the kotmeter is not registering any headway...... Hmmmmmm.

3) The fenders were not correctly stowed.

4) The floating spoiler is obviously powered to extend because the deflected aileron is opposing it.

5) No one gives a $hit, as long as those cheeks are showing.