Being in the coaltar Coaltar: Coaltar (or coltar) is a very viscous tar that is used for caulking wooden boats (to seal the hull). The expression means that it is difficult to wake up from sleep.
Have a drink Anchor line: An anchor line is a rope that is laid neatly on the deck to facilitate its launching (when the anchor is dropped). To coil a rope into a jam, you must lay it on the deck in an S shape. This shape is reminiscent of a person who has had too much to drink and has trouble walking straight.
A swaying gait A rowboat is a small boat that was used to go ashore. Narrow, it does not have much seaworthiness and rolls easily. The waddling gait of a person who has been drinking is reminiscent of the seaworthiness of rowboats.
Being on the ball : means to be at the maximum. The cleat is a piece of rigging used to block the tension of the ropes.
Keeping an eye on things In weather forecasting, a squall is synonymous with a wind that rises quickly and becomes stronger. A sailor who watches out for a squall sees it coming and adapts his sails to avoid being surprised. Watching for a squall means being careful.
Having the wind in your sails The stern of a sailboat is its rear. Having the wind coming from the stern ensures easy sailing with good performance. Having the wind at the stern in life ensures prosperous times.
Freshwater sailor Sailing at sea with the wind, currents and tides is always more difficult than sailing on inland waterways, on fresh water. Freshwater sailors have an easier time than those who go to sea. The latter denigrate the former with this expression: "freshwater sailor".
All sails out When the weather is good and the sea is beautiful, the sailboat sails all out.
Setting sail We put the sails to take the wide, when we leave. The sailboat puts the sails when it leaves the port, it is the same in the life.
The junk Pacotilles: Pacotilles were goods that the crew could take on board in small quantities to trade on their behalf. They did not pay any freight duty. Today, junk is an object of little value.
The area part of the sea close to the coast. When you tell someone that he is in the vicinity, it means that he is not far.
Being in a bad way A pass is a narrow passage. At sea, one must be wary of passages that hide rocks or unhealthy currents. A sailor avoids getting into a bad pass in which he will have difficulty maneuvering.
Good luck! Wishing a sailor a fair wind as he leaves is to wish him a smooth sailing. This is also what we wish to all the readers of Bateaux.com!
