what is the meaning of the nautical term "sheet"?

Answer 1

line used to adjust or control a sail.

the link below has a great maritime dictionary

Answer 2

A lee shore is the shore that the wind is blowing on to. It is named such due to the fact that it's on the lee side of the boat. It's an unfavourable position to be in as it is a great way to wreck your boat if you cannot "claw" your way off as mentioned above. This is why In the Patrick O'Brien stories they kept track of Lee Shores. Don't confuse this with being in the "Lee" of an island, point of land, etc. Again it has nothing to do with how the wind is blowing across the boat but rather that you are on the opposite side of an obstruction from where the wind is coming from. Being in the Lee can be a very smart move in lumpy conditions. When anchoring for the night, I try to figure out what the weather conditions are coming from, how they'll swing over night and position the boat so that there's a land mass between me and the wind.

Answer 3

A "sheet" is a rope that controls the sails. Try to picture the old sailing ships and the way the sails had to catch the wind to propel the ship forward. The ropes allowed the sailors to get the sails in the correct position to control the ship and let it sail.
The idiomatic expression, "Three sheets to the wind," refers to the fact that if the sails are not controlled, the ship is going to list off- course. So if a person is three sheets to the wind, that person is drunk and unable to walk straight.

Keep your sheets under control...
Ken

Answer 4

Sheets are ropes for the sails on a sailboat. In short they control sail shape and angle of attack to the wind. Halyards are also ropes that pull and hold the sails up.
I add this; There many ropes used and depending on the purpose, it have a specific name so there no confusion when people communicate.
If, this link work for you it give you some videos to watch;
http://homegarden.expertvillage.com/videos/beginning-sailing-controlling-sails.htm

Answer 5

Good answer Larry Also the only rope on a boat or water vessel is the 3" piece hanging on the bell to ring it.

Answer 6

Here's some more marlinspike trivia. Did you know that there are no "ropes" on a boat? When you go to the store, you buy "rope" but once installed and a job has been assigned to that rope, be it a sheet, halyard, rode, shroud, etc., it is then referred to as a line. Sailors... we just have to make it confusing.