Every boat operator should know the following terms and definitions.
- Bow : Front of a boat.
- Stern : Rear of a boat.
- Starboard : Right side of a boat.
- Port : Left side of a boat.
- Hull : Body of a boat.
- Gunwale : Upper edge of boat’s side (generally pronounced gunnel)
- Cleat : Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened.
What is the main part of a boat?
The body of a boat is called its hull . At the upper edges of the boat’s hull are the gunwales . The gunwales provide extra rigidity for the hull. The cross-section of the stern, where you attach an outboard motor, is called the transom.
What is the floor of a boat called?
The actual floor surface is called the sole; the term ‘deck’ refers to a structural member tying the ships frames or ribs together over the keel. In modern ships, the interior decks are usually numbered from the primary deck, which is #1, downward and upward.
What is the middle of a boat called?
Keel: The keel is a specific part of the hull. It is the main beam that runs from the front (bow) of the boat to the back (stern) and goes through the middle of the vessel. It is one of the main pieces of the structure and is often considered the foundation of a ship or yacht.
What are some boat parts? – Related Questions
What is the top part of a boat called?
Topsides: The portion of a boat’s hull that is above the waterline. “Jenny polished the topsides to a beautiful shine.” Transom: The aft-most section of a boat that connects the port and starboard sections of the hull. “Most people put a boat’s name on the transom, though some put it on the hull sides.”
What is the bottom of a ship called?
The keel is the bottom-most longitudinal structural element on a vessel.
Where is the cockpit on a boat?
A cockpit is a name for the location of the controls of a vessel. It is usually an open well in the deck of a boat outside the cabin. In modern boats a cockpit may refer to an enclosed area. Smaller boats typically have an aft cockpit, towards the stern of the boat.
What is the keel of a boat?
The keel is basically a flat blade sticking down into the water from a sailboat’s bottom. It has two functions: it prevents the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and it holds the ballast that keeps the boat right-side up.
What is the difference between aft and stern?
The difference between “aft” and “stern” is that aft is the inside (on board) rearmost part of the vessel, while stern refers to the outside (offboard) rearmost part of the vessel. The stern is opposite the bow, the outside (offboard) of the front of the boat.
What is the helm of a boat?
Helm – A tiller or wheel and any associated equipment for steering a ship or boat. Ours is a wheel and we let our passengers take the helm at times during the cruise.
What is a captain’s wheel called?
Just like any other boat, including pontoons, speed boats, or deck boats, the wheel on a sailing ship is also called the helm. It lets the captain or helmsman change direction of the sailing ship as the wheel controls the rudder through the water.
What is the rear of a boat called?
Stern: The back of the boat is called the stern.
What is the beam of a boat?
In simple terms, when measuring a ship at the widest point on the waterline that is known as, “Waterline Beam” whereas above, “Beam” is the widest part of the vessel.
What are sides of a boat called?
When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively.
What is the dashboard of a boat called?
A cockpit is a name for the location of controls of a vessel; while traditionally an open well in the deck of a boat outside any deckhouse or cabin, in modern boats they may refer to an enclosed area.
What is the gunnel of a boat?
Pronounced, “Gunel” it’s the upper edge of a boat. In most modern saltwater fishing boats such as bay boats, center console boats, flats, or skiffs, gunwales have dual purposes.
What is a chine on a boat?
Chines refer to the sharp changes in angles in its cross section. These angular chines appear along the outline of your boat’s hull and in the area where the hull intersects the underside of the boat.
What is the Strake on a boat?
(streɪk ) noun. a single line of planking or metal plating extending along the hull of a ship or boat from stem to stern.