Right sailing refers to running a course on one of the cardinal points of a compass, only altering the latitude or longitude. An early meaning still often used is straight.

Sailing Lingo aims to test your knowledge of the peculiar and sometimes indecipherable language of sailing. We pose a question and see who can answer it most accurately in the comments on the post. The following day we’ll post the answer to the question and save you some Googling.

Quepos, Costa Rica.

Quepos, Costa Rica is a tropical inlet surrounded by lush rain forests just 100 miles from the capital of San Jose. Guests will want to explore the village center with its delightful six-block square of restaurants, bars, art galleries and gift shops, all fronted by the main beach. Fishermen on board will want to try their hand as Quepos is well-known for its bill fishing or for a a more adventures day the nearby Rio Naranjo is sure to entice river rafters. Quepos also is the gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park, the most popular National Park beach in Costa Rica, and an excellent way to spend the day enjoying the regions spectacular flora and fauna among its secluded beaches.

Star Flyer will call at Quepos during its seven-night Panama to Costa Rica cruise, November 14, 2010.

The carrick bend is a knot used for joining two lines. It is particularly appropriate for very heavy rope or cable that is too large and stiff to easily be formed into other common bends.  It will not jam even after carrying a significant load or being soaked with water. The Carrick bend’s aesthetically pleasing interwoven and symmetrical shape has also made it popular for decorative purposes. This knot’s name dates back to at least 1783 when it was used by M. Lescallier in Vocabulaire des Termes de Marine.

Sailing Lingo aims to test your knowledge of the peculiar and sometimes indecipherable language of sailing. We pose a question and see who can answer it most accurately in the comments on the post. The following day we’ll post the answer to the question and save you some Googling.

Simi, Greece.

Simi, Greece, has evolved from a seaside sponge village to a popular tourist seaside spot. Guests aboard Star Clippers will arrive at this peaceful island north-northwest of Rhodes to discover its rocky cliffs and isolated coves. The main town consists of the lower town around the harbor, typically referred to as Yialos, and the upper town called Horio.

While at port guests may want to explore Panormitis the island’s monastery which pays homage to St. Michael of Panormitis and features stunning views of the bay. The monastery is still inhabited by monks and was built in the early 18th century. After a visit to monastery or lunch in town sun worshipers will want to find one of many secluded beaches to enjoy the view and soak up the sun.

Star Flyer will call at Simi on its Turkey’s Turquoise Coast cruise July 24 and August 7, 2010.

Also known as pit logs pitometers are devices used to measure a ship’s speed relative to the water. They are used on both surface ships and submarines. Data from the pitometer log is usually fed directly into the ship’s navigation system.

Pitometers date back to days of sail when sailors tossed a log attached to rope knotted at regular intervals off the stern of a ship. The sailors would count the number of knots that passed through their hands in a given period of time. Today sailors still use the unit of knots to express a ship’s speed. The speed of the ship was needed to navigate the ship using dead reckoning, which was standard practice in the days before modern navigation instruments like GPS. During World War II, pitometer logs were often interfaced directly into warship fire control systems. This interface was necessary to allow gunnery and torpedo fire control systems to automatically track tar.