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OAKUM - Tarred hemp or manila fibers made from old and condemned ropes which have been picked apart. They were used for caulking the seams of decks and sides of a wooden ship in order to make them watertight.

Offing: Sea area lying between visible horizon and a line midway between horizon and observer on the shore. To keep an offing is to keep a safe distance away from the coast.

ONE-DESIGN - Any boat built to certain standards (rules) so that is like all others in the same class.

OSMOSIS – A condition in which water penetrates the gelcoat of a fiberglass hull and causes damage

OUTBOARD - Toward or beyond the boat's sides. A detachable engine mounted on a boat's stern.

OUTDRIVE - A propulsion system for boats with an inboard engine operating an exterior drive, with drive shaft, gears, and propeller; also called stern-drive and inboard/outboard.

OUTHAUL - Line adjusting tension of foot of mainsail along boom.

OVERBOARD - Over the side or out of the boat.

OVERTAKING – Said of a vessel when she is overhauling or passing another vessel