Nautical Term: Chafing gear
Definition of Chafing gear
Chafing gear refers to a protective covering made of canvas or rope. This gear is applied around spars, mooring lines, or rigging to shield them from damaging contact with other surfaces.
For instance, while sailing in rough waters, the constant rubbing of the mooring line against the hull of the boat could potentially wear it out. To prevent such damage, a sailor would wrap chafing gear around the mooring line, creating a barrier between the line and the hull, thus reducing the likelihood of damaging contact and prolonging the life of the mooring line.
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