Fouled Meaning in Sailing

Fouled describes any piece of equipment that is jammed, tangled, or obstructed so that it cannot function properly. This term is most commonly used for a ‘fouled anchor,’ where the chain is wrapped around the anchor fluke, or a ‘fouled propeller,’ where a rope or net is caught in the blades. It can also refer to a rope that has become stuck in a pulley (block). One specific example involves a sailor discovering a fouled jib sheet that prevents the sail from being pulled tight during a turn. Clearing a foul often requires immediate action to regain control of the boat. In many cases, a fouled propeller requires a diver to go underwater and cut the obstruction away. Preventing fouls through careful line management and a sharp lookout is a primary duty for every sailor.