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Understanding Boating Terms Easily | Your Go-To Guide

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The United States is home to some of the most scenic rivers and lakes. From oceans to lakes, creeks and estuaries, the U.S. is ripe for the picking when it comes to boating activities.

family boating

Boat Types You Should Know

Before we jump into other specific boating terms, lets get started learning some basic boat types.

Pleasure Craft

A pleasure craft is exactly what it implies – a vessel used for recreation. Common types include sport fishing boats, bow riders, yachts and inflatable boats.



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Personal Watercraft

man on jet ski

Power-Driven Craft

man fishing from motor boat in the fog


Human-Powered Craft

kayak fishing at dawn

These boats operate without any power and are propelled manually using a pedal, sail or foot pedals. Canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are categorized as human-powered craft. 



Now, On To The Boating Terms…

Familiarize yourself with this glossary of boating terms, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a more knowledgeable boater…

Astern

This refers to the area or location behind or toward the back of the boat or ship.

Beam

BEAM OF BOAT

Bow

BOW OF A BOAT


Bowline Knot and Bow

The bowline knot creates a loop at the end of a line. (This is not to be confused with a boat’s bow).

bowline knot

Draft

The distance between the waterline and the keel (lowest part of boat’s hull) of a boat; the minimum depth of water in which a boat will float.



Freeboard

BOW OF A BOAT

Hull

BOAT HULL

Helm

The steering wheel and controls are located at the helm. This is where the captain of the boat or ship operates from.

Keel

The lowest part of a boat’s hull, which provides strength, stability and sideways drift while in the water.




Navigation Light

These are all the lights on the boat that come into effect at night. Recreational boats are equipped with a stern light, masthead or anchor light, and sidelights. Powerboats, like pontoons, combine the stern light and masthead into a single anchor light.

Navigation lights have two functions – to make your boat visible at night and to indicate the right of way when two vessels approach each other.

PFD



Port

PORT AND STARBOARD1

Starboard

When facing the front of the boat, starboard is the right side (port is on the left).

Stern

boat stern

When facing the bow, the starboard side is the right side of the boat, marked by the green sidelight.

Transom

The transom of a boat is the cross-section of the stern. It is typically flat and serves the purpose of a support structure of the stern and barrier to water.



Trim

Trimming the engine entails it being moved up or down. The button is normally found on the throttle. There are two reasons to trim the engine.

Trimming the motor up to protect the lower unit from hitting the bottom is necessary in shallow water at low speed. You can also adjust the trim for optimal engine performance.

Underway

A boat is underway when it is not docked or anchored. Floating or drifting while using the motor would count as underway.



So, Now You Know Some Boating Terms…

wakesurfing behind boat

Be sure to educate yourself on all water rules in your state and get to know boating etiquette as well. Happy and safe boating… and have fun! 

 

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