radio net/radio schedule – An agreed schedule for making contact with one or more other vessels at a certain time on a certain frequency, usually on long-distance (SSB or HAM) radio. [3]
reef – (noun) 1. A part of a sail taken in or let out in regulating size. 2. A chain of rocks or coral or a ridge of sand at or near the water’s surface. [1]
reef – (verb) To reduce sail by taking in a reef. [1]
rigger – A person who fits out a sailboat with rigging. An expert in all aspects of the masts, spars, stays, lines, blocks, and other hardware installed above deck. [1, 3]
rivet/rivet gun – A rivet is a headed metal pin or bolt used for uniting two or more pieces by passing the shank through the hole in each piece and then beating or pressing down the plain end to make a second head. It is installed with a rivet gun (a pneumatic hammer) or with a smaller tool, called a pop-rivet gun. [1, 3]
roadstead – A place less enclosed than a harbour where ships may ride at anchor. [1]
rode – A length of rope or chain used to attach an anchor to a boat. [1]
roller furling – A sail management system that furls or reefs a sail by rolling it around a stay or a rotating foil. Roller furling is most often used on foresails but can be also used for mainsails. [3]
SSB radio – In radio communications, single-sideband modulation (SSB) is a technology that dramatically increases the efficiency of a radio’s amplifier. SSB radios are able to harness the phenomenon of skip (where radio waves are reflected or refracted between Earth’s ionosphere and the ground) to deliver significantly longer-range transmissions than line-of-sight VHF radios often found on sailboats. These radios provide a global communication network that allows simultaneous communications with multiple parties (radio nets). SSB radio also enables users to send and receive e-mail, call individual phone lines, issue two-way emergency broadcasts, and participate in radio nets. Operators can also receive AM, FM, and shortwave radio stations for news, sports, music, and other broadcast entertainment. Source: www.cruisingworld.com/single-sideband-radios-endure/ Accessed March 12, 2020
Sailmail – A radio based e-mail system designed for boat owners voyaging in remote areas. The system uses a PACTOR modem and an SSB radio to send and receive digital information by radio. [3]
sailplan – Formally, a set of drawings showing various sail combinations recommended for use in various situations. In practice, sailors may refer to their sailplan as the sails they have employed to produce the desired speed and comfort. [2, 3]
salon/main salon – The term means cabin, or the main area that serves as a dining room or a place to sit and socialize below deck. Also called a saloon. [3]
scope – The length of rode (line, chain, or a combination of both) deployed when at anchor. The length, or scope, is dependent on water depth and weather conditions. [3]
scopolamine – An organic complex found in the nightshade family of plants and used for preventing nausea in motion sickness. Transdermal scopolamine is administered through the skin via an adhesive patch, usually applied to the hairless area of skin behind the ear. To be effective, scopolamine must be administered at least four hours before exposure to an environment likely to cause seasickness. [1, 3]
sea berth – A bunk aboard a vessel that is comfortable to sleep in when at sea. A sea berth is typically handy to the navigation table and handy to the helm, often located amidships or in an aft cabin. [3]
self-steering gear – Either mechanical or electronic equipment that automatically steers a vessel while underway, maintaining a chosen course without human action. Also called autopilot and Autohelm. [3]
sheet – A line (rope or chain) used to regulate the angle at which a sail is set in relation to the wind. [1]
shrouds – Ropes or wires (usually in pairs) leading from a ship’s masthead to the chain plates on the hull to give lateral support to the mast. [1, 3]
single hander – A person who customarily sails without the help of a crew. [3]
snuffer/snuffer line – A long tubular sleeve of fabric (much like a sock) that is pulled down over the spinnaker to douse the sail so that it can be lowered to the deck. The snuffer line raises and lowers the sock. Also called a spinnaker sock. [3]
sole – The deck or floor of a cabin or the cockpit. [3]
spinnaker – A large triangular headsail flown in front of the vessel and used when running before the wind. The spinnaker fills with wind and balloons out in front of the boat when deployed, referred to as “flying the spinnaker.” Usually constructed of lightweight nylon, often in bright colours. [1, 2, 3]
spinnaker sock – See snuffer.
spreaders – In general, a device (such as a bar) holding two linear elements (such as lines, guys, rails) apart and usually taut. On a sailboat, spars (spreaders) are mounted on either side of the mast. The shrouds, attached at the masthead, pass over the spreaders to their attachment point at the chain plates on the ship’s hull. The spreaders are used to widen the angle of the shrouds at the top of the mast, making them more effective. [1, 3]
spreader lights – Electric lights mounted on the spreaders, providing light for the deck below. [3]
stanchion – An upright bar, post, or support, typically mounted around the perimeter of a ship’s deck, used to support the lifelines. [1, 3]
starboard/starboard side – Refers to the right side of a vessel when looking forward. [1]
starboard tack – The tack on which the wind comes from the starboard side of a sailing vessel. [1]
stays – A strong line or wire cable used to support a mast. [1]
staysail – A triangular fore-and-aft sail hoisted on the inner forestay. [1, 3]
stern – The rear end of a boat. [1]
stern rail – A secure railing extending around the stern of a vessel, used to keep crew secure in the cockpit. Sometimes referred to as the pushpit (as opposed to the pulpit on the bow). [3]
stop-knot – A knot used on the end of a rope so that the rope will not pass through a block, grommet, or fairlead. [3]
stream warps – A heavy weather tactic in which long heavy lines are streamed from the stern of the vessel in order to slow the vessel down and to keep the vessel aligned with the wind direction and perpendicular to wave direction. [3]
storm tactics – Any exceptional measures taken to safeguard a vessel in storm conditions. Typically, tactics beyond lying ahull or heaving to, and including more drastic measures such as streaming warps or the deployment of a sea anchor or drogue. Tactics that attempt to hold the bow into the sea and hold the vessel’s position, or tactics that slow the boat down if running with the wind. [3]
tack – (noun) 1. A sailing direction to windward; 2. The lower forward corner of a fore-and-aft sail. [1, 3]
tack – (verb) To change the direction of a sailing ship when sailing close-hauled by turning the bow through the eye of the wind and shifting the sails to the opposite side. [1, 3]
tender – One that tends, such as a ship employed to attend other ships; a small boat for communication or transportation, to ferry passengers and cargo between ship and shore and to perform tasks alongside the hull; a dinghy. [1, 3]
tinny – A slang Australian and New Zealand term for a small open aluminum boat. [3]
topsides – The top portion of the outer surface of a ship on each side above the waterline. [1]
trade winds – A wind blowing almost continually toward the equator in the latitudes from near the equator to about 30 degrees north and south of the equator. In the northern hemisphere, these winds blow steadily from the northeast. In the southern hemisphere, these winds blow steadily from the southeast. [1]
transdermal anti-nauseant/antiemetic – A medicated adhesive patch that is placed on the skin to deliver medication through the skin into the bloodstream to suppress nausea and vomiting. [3]
transom – The planking (or other material) forming the stern of a square-ended boat. [1, 3]
Tropic of Capricorn – The parallel of latitude at
23 degrees 26 minutes south of the equator and that is the southernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun. [1]
TRS – Tropical revolving storm, referred to as hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean and northeast Pacific, typhoons in the northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the southern hemisphere (south Pacific and southern Indian oceans). All three kinds of storms are the same – an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a low pressure centre around which winds of gale force or more blow spirally inwards, anticlockwise (anti-cyclonic) in the northern hemisphere and clockwise (cyclonic) in the southern hemisphere. These storms originate over tropical or subtropical waters. Source: www.cultofsea.com/general/what-is-a-trs-or-a-tropical-revolving-storm/ Accessed March 12, 2020
V-berth – The berth located in the bow of a vessel, so called because of its V-shape. [3]
VHF radio – A Very High Frequency radio. A marine VHF radio refers to the radio frequency range between 156.0 and 162.025 MHz. Transmission power ranges between 1 and 25 watts. It is a relatively short-range radio, also referred to as a line of sight radio because transmitting and receiving antennas must be able to see each other to establish communications. Source: www.offshoreblue.com/communications/vhf-capabilities.php Accessed March 12, 2020
weather cloths – A piece of cloth tied vertically taut between the stanchions, the life lines, and the toe rail at the stern of a vessel to enclose the cockpit, providing protection from wind and spray as well as providing privacy for the cockpit. [3]
weatherfax – A marine weather facsimile receiver designed to receive and print high quality, high definition weather charts and satellite images transmitted from onshore stations located around the world. Source: www.furuno.com/en/products/weatherfax/FAX-410 Accessed March 12, 2020
weather helm – The tendency of a sailing vessel to turn up in to the wind. [1]
winch – A mechanical device which uses sets of gears to turn a drum. A rope, cable, or chain is coiled on the drum to achieve purchase. The winch is then turned using a motor, a crank, or a handle, bringing the line taut and providing a substantial mechanical advantage for hauling and hoisting. [1, 3]
wind speed – The velocity of the wind; may be recorded in kilometres per hour or miles per hour, but typically measured in knots by mariners. [3]
windlass – A type of winch, typically situated on the bow of a vessel and used to raise and lower the ship’s anchor. [1, 3]
windward – (noun) The direction from which the wind is blowing. [1]
windward – (adjective) The side of a ship or area that is exposed to the wind; the windward side; the side opposite the leeward side. [1]
windward – (adverb) Toward the direction from which the wind is blowing. [3]
wing-on-wing – Or wing and wing, describes a sailing vessel with sails extended on both sides, the foresail filled with wind on one side of the boat and the mainsail filled with wind on the other, used when sailing directly downwind. [1, 3]
zot/zotting – (verb) A term we adopted from Liza Copeland’s book, Just Cruising, A Family Travels the World: Europe to Australia. In the book, the Copeland children coin the onomatopoeic term “zotting” to mean going for a high-speed trip in the dinghy.
Acknowledgements
It turned out to be true. Just as I’d suspected when I first met him, whenever Nik was around, something exciting was about to happen. There would have been no adventure to write about if it weren’t for my husband, who so many years ago made the simple suggestion that we take sailing lessons. His love of adventure, his seamanship, his strength and bravery, his ability to come up with good ideas even as he vomited into a stockpot, all these things made our successful voyage possible while his good nature and playful spirit made our journey fun. Nik’s skill in photography captured many memorable moments, including the cover photo, taken as we approached Sarawak (Malaysian Borneo) from the South China Sea. His unwavering support on this second journey – my solo journey, the writing of this book – has been a source of strength and encouragement for me. Alex “Nik” Nikolajevich, captain of my heart, thank you so very much.
I also thank my parents, David and Barbara Smith, who have loved me unconditionally and supported me in everything I’ve ever done. Growing up in their safe harbour is exactly what gave me the gumption to dare to sail beyond its limits.
To all those who contributed to our successful passage, from my sisters and their families, who sent mail packets and gear to faraway places and put us up in spare bedrooms when we flew in from God knows where, to our wider circle of family and friends who always welcomed us home with open arms, treating us like celebrities when we were near, and keeping us in their prayers when we were far: thank you.
I would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to my teacher, Brian Henry, who helped me develop my writing skills through his many valuable writing classes and workshops, with special thanks to my fellow students in the Burlington Thursday night Intensive Creative Writing class for their feedback on early chapters.
Thanks to beta readers Jean Richardson, John Batchelor, James Bryan Simpson, Paula Aicklen, Joseph McAdam, Beth Walpac, Liz Taylor Rabishaw, Pietro Galluzzo, Kimberley Bates, and Ann Marie Parkin, who waded through my first lengthy, error-strewn draft, providing me with honest feedback and many, many corrections. Thanks to my second cousin, Debby Seed, for her encouragement and copy-editing skills.
The Saturday morning Write Before Noon, Just Write! Burlington Meetup group, led by Cindy Towsley, lessened the loneliness of writing by welcoming me into their fold.
Many thanks to friend Kathie Jaworski for the beautiful and professional figures depicting our route around the world.
I also want to express my gratitude to publisher Lesley Choyce for his belief in my manuscript and the team at Potters-field Press for helping to make my dream come true.
Finally, thanks to all those who supported and encouraged me to write a book about our journey aboard Green Ghost. To those who have anxiously waited and oh-so-often asked, “How’s the book coming, Jenn?” here it is, finally finished.
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