Pay off. To recede from the wind. To bring a boat’s head around to catch the wind.
Pendant. A short piece of rope.
Pennant. A narrow flag or streamer.
Pooped. To be struck by a sea which comes over the stern.
Port. Left hand. Also sometimes called Larboard.
Preventer sheet. A sheet used to relieve unusual strain.
Preventer stay. A temporary or movable stay set up to relieve a strain on the rigging under certain conditions.
Quarter. Part between beam and stern.
Rake. The lean or cant of a mast or other object from the perpendicular.
Reaching. Sailing with wind abeam.