Boating Vocabulary
Outboards
A complete propulsion system that can be mounted on the transom of a boat.
Nun Buoy
A conical, red buoy bearing an even number and marking the starboard side of a channel from seaward.
Rudder
A device used for steering and maneuvering, usually flat sheet metal attached to a stern or rudder post--not necessary on outboards because the unit can be moved to change direction of thrust.
Anchor
A forging or casting shaped to grip the sea bottom and, by means of a cable or rope, hold a boat in a desired position.
Chart
A map of a body of water that contains piloting information.
Lubber's Line
A mark or permanent line on a compass that shows the course of a boat.
Abeam
Amidship, at a right angle to the keel.
Ebb
An outgoing tide.
Motorboat
Any watercraft 65' or less in length propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principle source of propulsion.
Cruisers
Boats that are larger in size than runabouts and provide more accommodations. They start at about 18 feet in length and can go up to 50 or 60 feet.
Mooring
Commonly, the anchor, chain, buoy, pennant, etc., by which a boat is permanently anchored in one location.
Give-way Vessel
Required to take early and obvious action to avoid a collision when nearing another vessel.
Planning Hull
Type of hull that is shaped to lift out of the water at high speed and ride on the surface.
Displacement Hull
Type of hull that plows through the water even when more power is added.
Fore
Used to distinguish the forward part of a boat or things forward of amidship. It is the opposite of aft or after.
Underway
Vessel in motion, i.e., when not moored, at anchor, or aground.
Propeller
Wheel or screw. Mechanism that pushes water aft to propel the boat.
Aft
Describing the after section of a vessel, or things to the rear of amidship and near the stern.
Vessel
Every kind of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, capable of being used as a means os transportation on water.
Drown-proofing
Floating face down in the water with your lungs full of air.
Robertson Archer Act
It requires that every person 12 years of age or over who operates a motorized vessel on the waters of this state, shall obtain a boater safety certification on or before April 28, 1999.
Way
Movement of a vessel through the water. Technically it is underway when not at anchor, aground, or made fast to the shore. The common usage is interpreted as progress through the water: Headway when going forward and Sternway when going backward.
Wake
Moving waves, created by vessel motion. Track or path that a boat leaves behind it, when moving across the water.
Capacity Plate
Must be in full view of the operator's station. Gives maximum weight capacity and horsepower rating.
Fenders
Objects placed along the side of a boat to protect the hull from damage.
PFD
Personal Flotation Device. (Life-jacket.)
Leech
The after edge of a fore-and-aft sail.
Tide
The alternate rise and fall of waters caused by the gravitational attraction of moon and sun.
Draft
The depth of the vessel below the water line, measured vertically to the lowest part of the hull.
Bow
The forward part or front of the boat.
Cardinal Points
The four main points of a compass: north, south, east, and west.
Compass
The instrument which shows the heading of a vessel.
Port
The left side of a boat when your are facing the bow; also a destination or harbor.
Bilge
The lower internal part of a boat's hull.
Current
The movement of the water in a horizontal direction.
Starboard
The rights side of a boat when you are facing the bow.
Rules of the Road
The rules you have to follow in a boat that are the same as the ones you follow while driving.
Lee
The side opposite to that from which the wind blows.
Transom
The transverse planking which forms the after-end of a small, square-ended boat. (Outboard motors are usually attached to a transom.
Gunwale
The upper edge of a boat's side. (pronounced gun-nel.)
Stern
The upright post or bar of the bow.
Freeboard
The vertical distance measured on a boat's side from the waterline to the gunwale.
Stand-on Vessel
The vessel required to first hold course and speed when nearing another vessel. However, it is also required to take any action necessary to avoid a collision if the give-way vehicle does not take early and significant action.
Helm
The wheel or tiller by which a ship is steered.
Trim
To arrange weight in a vessel in such a manner as to obtain desired draft at bow and stern.
Knot
To bend a line. Also, a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile (6,076.10 feet) an hour.
Come About
To change course, or tack, in a sailboat.
Capsize
To turn over.
Aground
Touching bottom.
Forward
Toward the bow.
