Gunnel is an alternate spelling of gunwale; the definition of gunnel is also the upper side of a ship or boat or the uppermost planks of a wooden vessel. This spelling is gaining momentum as it is closer to how the word is pronounced, though many editors still frown upon the simplified spelling.
Why is it called a gunnel?
Etymology. From Middle English gonnewalle, itself from gonne (“gun”) + wale, as it used to support the ship’s guns; equivalent to gun + wale.
Where are the gunwales on a boat?
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. On the top of the boat are metal fittings called cleats.
Why is gunwale pronounced gunnel?
Gunwale actually means gun-wall as it’s the top of the side of a boat where guns were placed. So gun’l is just a contraction of gun-wall. There are many naval terms that got shortened like this.
What is the difference between a gunnel and a gunwale? – Related Questions
Why is it called a Gunwhale?
Well, because from the oldest days of navies, that uppermost edge of a ship’s side was a really handy place to mount a gun, for defense against enemies and pirates. The original spelling in Old English was “gonne walles”, or literally “gun walls”, because it was the wall of a ship used to mount a gun.
What part of a boat is the gunnel?
Gunwale – Also known as gunnel, this is the outermost top edge of a boat hull, usually where the deck and hull come together.
How do you pronounce gunnel?
Break ‘gunnel’ down into sounds: [GUN] + [UHL] – say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them.
Below is the UK transcription for ‘gunnel’:
- Modern IPA: gə́nəl.
- Traditional IPA: ˈgʌnəl.
- 2 syllables: “GUN” + “uhl”
Why is Boatswain pronounced bosun?
Usage Note: The word boatswain is pronounced as a single word with two syllables (bōsən). People with sea legs have a long tradition of spelling the word as bosun, bo’s’n, and bos’n to reflect the salty pronunciation.
Why is forecastle pronounced Focsle?
The etymology is Middle English from the word fore- meaning “before” combined with the Anglo-French castle meaning “fortified tower.” The spelling fo’c’s’le reflects sailors’ pronunciation.
What is the difference between gunwale and bulwark?
Bulwarks is the word for the structure above deck level. Gunwale is the word for capping atop the topsides when there are no bulwarks of any substantial height. The top of a ship’s bulwarks would be the rails.
What is the walkway around a boat called?
The gangway is the means of getting on and off a ship. In general shipping terms, it refers to a walkway or bridge connecting the vessel to land.
What is the ledge of a boat called?
The gunwale (/ˈɡʌnəl/) is the top edge of the hull of a ship or boat.
What is the bulwark on a boat?
The bulwarks are the sides of the ship above the main deck. These consist of the rubbing rail, iron bulwark plates and pin rail. The rubbing rail sits on top of the hull planks on an iron angle to protect the sides from potential accidents.
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 a bathroom on a boat called?
“The bathroom of a maritime vessel is known as the head because of its location aboard vessels in the bow or fore of the ship, as explained by the Naval Heritage and History Command. The term first appears in 1708 in Woodes Rogers’ book, “A Cruising Voyage Around the World.” Source Ask.com.
What is Tumblehome on a boat?
Tumblehome is a term describing a hull which grows narrower above the waterline than its beam. The opposite of tumblehome is flare.
What is a flare on a boat?
Flare is the angle at which a ship’s hull plate or planking departs from the vertical in an outward direction with increasing height. A flared hull typically has a deck area larger than its cross-sectional area at the waterline.
What is keel rake?
Keel Rake: Inclination of the keel line from the horizontal. Trawlers and tugs often have keels raked aft to give greater depth aft where the propeller diameter is proportionately larger in this type of vessel. Small craft occasionally have forward rake of keel to bring propellers above the line of keel.
What is Draught in ship terms?
The draft or draught of a ship’s hull is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel). The draught of the vessel is the maximum depth of any part of the vessel, including appendages such as rudders, propellers and drop keels if deployed.
What is the height of a boat called?
Clearance, or vertical clearance, is important for sailboats and catamarans with a fixed mast, as well as sportfish boats with tall towers. It refers to the height of the boat from the waterline to the top of the mast or flybridge (or any non-removable part).