Boating has a long history and has played, and still does play, a crucial role in exploration, transportation, and recreation. With that kind of legacy comes a vast vocabulary developed to help people work and play in the marine environment. While there are entire dictionaries dedicated to boating terminology, here we will highlight some of the most important and common terms that most modern boaters should know.
Boating Terms
Abeam
At a right angle to the center line or keel of the boat, alongside the boat
Aft
A position closer to the stern or back of the boat
Amidships (Midships)
The center or central area of the boat
Beam
The widest part of the boat, the greatest width
Bow
The front or forward end of the boat, as opposed to the stern (mnemonic: “B” comes before “S” in the alphabet, just like the Bow of the boat comes before the Stern)
Bulkhead
A partition, usually structural, that separates compartments of a boat
Cabin
A main compartment, enclosed area, or living space for crew and passengers
Companionway
The set of steps or walkway that provides access from the deck to the below-decks areas of the boat
Console
A station to stand or sit at located on the deck which often contains the helm, an operator’s console
Deck
Usually the exterior flat surfaces of a boat that passengers and crew walk on, but can also refer to the levels of a vessel, as in “Deck 4”, which could be an interior or exterior level
Draft
The minimum depth of water a boat can float in, or the distance between the waterline and the bottom of the keel
Flybridge
A raised helm or navigation console, often above the cabin, from which the boat can be operated. It usually includes an area for entertaining or sitting as well
Freeboard
The vertical distance from the waterline to the lowest point at which water could enter the boat over the edge
Galley
The name for a boat’s kitchen
Gangway
A passage or ramp used to board or disembark a boat
Gunwale
The top edge of a boat’s sides
Hatch
A watertight cover or doorway in a boat deck or cabin top
Head
The name for a boat’s toilet
Heeling
The leaning of a sailboat as the wind pushes against the sails
Helm
A boat’s operating console, containing the wheel and engine controls
Hull
The body or shell of a boat that physically touches the water
Jib
The sail set forward of a sailboat’s masts and mainsail
Jibe
Steering a sailboat’s stern through the wind (as opposed to a tack)
Keel
The center ridge running bow to stern under a boat’s hull. In a sailboat the keel can run very deep to provide stability
Leeward
The same direction the wind is blowing (as opposed to windward)
Length Overall (LOA)
The length of a vessel from its farthest extent aft to its farthest extend forward including all attached tackle
Lifelines
Cables or lines running around a boat to prevent crew, passengers, or equipment from falling overboard
Locker
Any small compartment on a boat used for storage
Mainsail
The largest, main working sail of a boat attached to the main mast and controlled by a horizontal boom
Mast
A vertical pole that supports the sails of a sailboat
Point of Sail
The boat’s direction relative to the wind
Port
The left side of a boat when standing onboard, facing the bow (as opposed to starboard). Mnemonic: port has fewer letters than starboard just like left has fewer letters than right
Rudder
The vertical fin or plate at the back of a boat that extends into the water used for steering
Saloon
The main room for entertaining on a boat
Scuppers
Holes in the hull that allow water on the deck to drain overboard
Stanchion
Upright poles around a boat’s edge that support lifelines
Starboard
The right side of a boat when standing onboard, facing the bow (as opposed to port). Mnemonic: starboard has more letters than port just like right has more letters than left
Stem
The forward most part of the bow
Stern
The back, or aft area of the boat
Swim Platform
A water-level platform at the stern of the boat used to enter and exit the water easily
Tack
Steering a sailboat’s bow through the wind (as opposed to a jibe)
Tiller
The handle connected to the rudder or an outboard motor used for steering
Transom
The flat surface forming a boat’s stern
Trim Tabs
Plates on the stern bottom of a boat’s hull that can be adjusted to change the vessel’s attitude, pitch, and roll while underway
Waterline
The point up to which water rises on a boat’s hull
Windward
The direction from which the wind is blowing (as opposed to leeward)
Post time: May-11-2024