Bays, Coves, Straits, Channels, Inlets, etc etc

[Casey]

SOMEWHERE I've seen a book that defines most of the landforms we see in nautical lingo ... you know, stuff like:

Bay (...when is a bay not a cove?) ...or an inlet?
Strait (...when is a strait not a channel?)
What the heck is a 'bight, other than a bend in a rope (...line?, oh sheet there I go again....)
What's a slough (and do they all come with alligator's?)
Is that a "point" or a "headland?"
What's the difference between an "ocean" and a "sea?"

Inquiring minds want to know.

Best,
Casey

[starcrafttom]

a bay is a bay and not a cove when the guy that names it says so. a bay is not a inlet if it has a river running into it.

in general a strait is much wider then a channel. most channels are man made.

a bight is a word you made up to confuse me?? never heard of it, but nice try.

a slough is a old river channel. as rivers cut new channel 's and leave old side channel they leave become slough's. some are land locked and some still connect to the river. we have one here off of lake Washington that does not match that description but they call it that anyhow. not even a alligator to be found.

points are pointer then headlands, silly question.

yes size matters for ocean and seas.

Hope this helps. it help me kill ten mintues.

[Tim & Dave Kinghorn]

Hi Casey,

In the 65th edition of Chapman (p.783) a a bight is described under defining Marlinespike terms as: "The standing part is the long end of a piece of line. If you loop the working part back on itself, you form a BIGHT. If the bight is around an object or the rope itself, it's a turn. The extreme other end of the line is the BITTER END." If you have ever failed to secure the bitter end of the anchor rode, you will discover the bitter end as it goes overboard.

Merry Christmas Casey. I have greatly appreciated your comments with regard to the leak in your water tank. I've yet to check ours, but will before spring (I hope!).

Tim and Dave Kinghorn

[Tim & Dave Kinghorn]

Webster's Dictionary defines a bay as: "An inlet of the sea or other body of water, usually smaller than a gulf."

It also defines a BIGHT as: "a bend in a coast forming an open bay; a bay formed by such a bend; a slack part or loop in a rope."

Tim and Dave

[thataway]

Wikipedia under coastal terms has some of these definations. However, slough, and bayou are ignored, but estuary is included. Your question is interesting, because I associate slough with California especially the Delta, where there are no alligators, and Bayou with Florida and the South, where there are often alligators.

There are several web sites, but none are all inclusive such as:
http://tinyurl.com/28zcok3

[Hunkydory]

Though didn't know correct spelling this quote with photo from our Southeast Alaska cruise last summer is an example of what I thought was a bight at the time, which is a very small unnamed somewhat protected open cove that is part of a named bay or shore.

"Stopped and dropped the lunch anchor in a small bite the furthest south in Nelson Bay. Another beautiful spot with waterfalls and creeks at the head."

[Aurelia]

This is right up my alley and I often ponder the use and origin of geograhic terms which you should know are not used entirely consistantly across the globe or even across the river sometimes.

Here is a decent example with most coastal terms you will commonly encounter.

http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/swces/products/glossary.htm

Greg

[Casey]

Greg,

The "Glossary" is an excellent resource, and will no doubt cover every feature I wondered about - as well as Many more. Thanks!

Best,
Casey

[smittypaddler]

Bight Bight (b[imac]t), n. [OE. bi[yogh]t a bending; cf. Sw. &
Dan. bugt bend, bay; fr. AS. byht, fr. b[=u]gan. [root]88.
Cf. Bout, Bought a bend, and see Bow, v.]
1. A corner, bend, or angle; a hollow; as, the bight of a
horse's knee; the bight of an elbow.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Geog.) A bend in a coast forming an open bay; as, the
Bight of Benin.
[1913 Webster]

3. (Naut.) The double part of a rope when folded, in
distinction from the ends; that is, a round, bend, or coil
not including the ends; a loop.
[1913 Webster]

[JamesTXSD]

Ah, Casey, my friend, allow me to make this all clear for your inquiring mind - all those words refer to things/places you want to visit with your boat. You know how the people in the frozen northland have many words for "snow", but no word for "bikini"? Well, we boaters have many terms for all the places we want to take our boats. Go enjoy those places. No need to thank me, that's what friends are for. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim

[oldgrowth]

SeaTalk is a web site with a good online comprehensive nautical dictionary.

Dave
www.tolandmarine.com

[NORO LIM]

Two of my favorite local place names can be found on a chart of the Nisqually Reach area. ("Reach" is another good one). I pass these two regularly:

"Dogfish Bight"
"Dewolf Bight"

In my book they rank right up there with "Point No Point" and "Useless Bay"