Parts of A Boat
Length class 1
16 feet to less than 26 feet
Length class 2
26 feet to less than 40 feet
length class 3
40 feet to less than 65 feet
Displacement Mode
A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a displacement hull.
personal watercraft
A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel
Freeboard
Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
Cleat
Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
calculating boat capacity
Number of people = (boat length (ft.) × boat width (ft.)) / 15
stern drives
Stern drives are known also as inboard/outboards (I/Os) because they combine features found on both inboard and outboard engines. Stern-drive engines are four-stroke automotive engines adapted for marine use and are mounted inside the boat.
swamp
to fill with water
Displacement Hull
type of hull that plows through the water; it is slow but very strong: sailboats and cruisers.
Stern
back of the boat
jet drives
use an engine to power a strong water pump, which sucks up water and then forces the water out the back to thrust the boat forward. Personal water-crafts use these.
Gunwale
the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship
beam
Maximum width of a vessel
Float Plan for Extended Outings
- Describes the vessel, including its registration number, length, make, horsepower, and engine type. Includes the description and license plate of the tow vehicle and trailer. - Gives the number of passengers, their names and addresses, and a contact in case of emergency. - States where you are going, the detailed route, your planned departure time, and your expected return time. Include the location of all stopping points, dates, and times. - Gives the phone number for local authorities in case you fail to return when expected. If boating on waters under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction, give the phone number of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Fueling your boat
- Keep the nozzle of the fuel-pump hose in solid contact with the tank opening to prevent producing a static spark. - Use caution and fill the tank slowly to avoid spilling fuel into the boat's bilge (Interior of the hull below the floorboards; lowest part of a vessel's interior where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom) or into the water. Use an oil-absorbent pad to catch drips or spills. - Never fill a tank to the brim—leave room for fuel to expand. - Wipe up any spilled fuel and properly dispose of the used paper towels or rags on shore.
After fueling
- Put the fill cap on tightly to prevent vapors from escaping. - Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings. - If your boat is equipped with a power ventilation system (exhaust blower), turn it on for at least four minutes before starting your engine. This will help eliminate fuel vapors in the bilge. - Before starting the engine, sniff the bilge and engine compartment for fuel vapors. Continue ventilating until you cannot smell any fuel vapors. Consider installing a gas vapor detection and alarm device. - Start the engine and then reload your passengers. REMEMBER: Evaporating gasoline creates vapors or fumes that are heavier than air. These fumes settle to the bottom of the boat where they could explode if enclosed areas, such as the bilge, are not ventilated properly to remove fumes.
What to do before fueling your boat
- Tie the boat securely to the fuel dock. - Ask all passengers to leave the boat and go onto the dock. - Do not allow anyone in your group or others at the fuel dock to smoke or strike a match. - Check to see that fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents are in good condition. - Turn off anything that might cause a spark—engines, fans, or electrical equipment. - Shut off all fuel valves and extinguish all open flames, such as galley stoves and pilot lights. - Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat. - Remove portable fuel tanks from the boat and fill them on the dock. - Make sure that your fire extinguisher is within reach.
Multi-Hull
Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull has greater stability because of its wide beam. Needs a large area when turning.
Plowing Mode
As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mode.
Hull
Body of a boat
draft
Depth of water needed to float a vessel
port
Left side of a boat
length overall
Length of the hull excluding any attachments
Length Class A
Less than 16 feet
tiller
Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat
keel
Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the water
starboard
Right side of a boat
propeller
Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
rudder
Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat
Deep Vee Hull
This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat bottom hull in rough water. Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May roll or bank in sharp turns.
Flat Bottom Hull
This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is good for fishing in small lakes and rivers. Rides roughly in choppy waters.
Round Bottom Hull
This typical displacement hull moves easily through the water even at slow speeds. Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
capsize
To turn on the side or turn completely over
transom
Vertical surface at the back of the hull
Planning Hull
Vessel that rides up on the water, fast but not very strong: small driven boats, sometimes sail boats. 3 modes: displacement, plowing, planning
Planning Mode
Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.
inboard engine
a four-stroke automotive engine adapted for marine use. Inboard engines are mounted inside the hull's midsection or in front of the transom.
outboard engine
a portable, self-contained package of an engine, gear case, and propeller that is attached to the transom of a boat
bow
front of a boat
Parts of a Sailboat
halyard: lines (ropes) used to raise and lower the sails Sheets: lines (ropes) used to control the angle of the sails to the wind
float plan
information left with someone concerning your boating trip