Boating TermsBoating TermsTerms you need to know on Terms you need to know on

the water!the water!

aftaft• Describing things Describing things

in the rear of the in the rear of the vessel.vessel.

agroundaground• Touching bottom.Touching bottom.

anchoranchor• A forging or casting A forging or casting

shaped to grip the shaped to grip the bottom by means bottom by means of a rope or chain.of a rope or chain.

BeamBeam• A vessel’s width at A vessel’s width at

the midsection.the midsection.

bilgebilge• The lower internal The lower internal

part of the boats part of the boats hull.hull.

BowBow• The front part of the boat.The front part of the boat.

Capacity PlateCapacity Plate• Description giving maximum weight Description giving maximum weight

capacity and horsepower rating.capacity and horsepower rating.

CapsizeCapsize• To turn over.To turn over.

Cardinal PointsCardinal Points• The four main points of a compass; The four main points of a compass;

north, south, east and west.north, south, east and west.

CatamaranCatamaran• Boat with two hulls connected by a Boat with two hulls connected by a

deck.deck.

CleatCleat• A piece of wood or metal with A piece of wood or metal with

projecting ends to which lines are projecting ends to which lines are made fast.made fast.

Come AboutCome About• To change course, or tack, in a To change course, or tack, in a

sailboat.sailboat.

CurrentCurrent• The movement of water in a The movement of water in a

horizontal direction.horizontal direction.

DeckDeck• Any permanent covering over a Any permanent covering over a

compartment.compartment.

Displacement HullDisplacement Hull• The type of hull that plows through The type of hull that plows through

the water.the water.

DraftDraft• The depth of the vessel below the The depth of the vessel below the

water line, measured vertically to the water line, measured vertically to the lowest part of the hull.lowest part of the hull.

EbbEbb• An outgoing tide.An outgoing tide.

FathomFathom• Six feet.Six feet.

FreeboardFreeboard• The vertical distance measured on a The vertical distance measured on a

boat’s side from the waterline to the boat’s side from the waterline to the gunwale.gunwale.

Give-Way VesselGive-Way Vessel• Required to take early and obvious Required to take early and obvious

action to avoid a collision when action to avoid a collision when nearing another vessel.nearing another vessel.

GunwaleGunwale• The upper edge of a boat’s side.The upper edge of a boat’s side.

HatchHatch• An opening in a boat’s deck for An opening in a boat’s deck for

person’s cargo to go below.person’s cargo to go below.

HelmHelm• The wheel or tiller by which a boat is The wheel or tiller by which a boat is

steered.steered.

HullHull• The body of a boat.The body of a boat.

HypothermiaHypothermia• A physical condition where the body A physical condition where the body

loses heat faster than it can produce loses heat faster than it can produce it.it.

KeelKeel• The permanently positioned, fore-The permanently positioned, fore-

and-aft backbone member of a and-aft backbone member of a boat’s hull.boat’s hull.

MastMast• A spar set upright to support riggings A spar set upright to support riggings

or sail.or sail.

MooringMooring• When a boat is permanently When a boat is permanently

anchored, chained or moored.anchored, chained or moored.

Nun BuoyNun Buoy• A Conical, red buoy bearing an even A Conical, red buoy bearing an even

number and marking the starboard number and marking the starboard side of a channel from seaward.side of a channel from seaward.

• Remember – “red, right, returning”Remember – “red, right, returning”

PFDPFD• Personal flotation device (life-jacket).Personal flotation device (life-jacket).

Planing HullPlaning Hull• Type of hull that is shaped to lift out Type of hull that is shaped to lift out

of the water at high speeds and ride of the water at high speeds and ride on the surface.on the surface.

PortPort• The left side of the boat when facing The left side of the boat when facing

the bow.the bow.

StarboardStarboard• The right side of the boat when The right side of the boat when

facing the bow.facing the bow.

SternStern• The aft or back of the boat.The aft or back of the boat.

TideTide• The alternate rise and fall of waters The alternate rise and fall of waters

caused by the gravitational attraction caused by the gravitational attraction of the sun and moon.of the sun and moon.

TransomTransom• The transverse planking which forms The transverse planking which forms

the back of small, square-ended the back of small, square-ended boats.boats.

UnderwayUnderway• A vessel in motion.A vessel in motion.

VesselVessel• Every kind of watercraft.Every kind of watercraft.

WakeWake• Moving waves created by a vessel’s Moving waves created by a vessel’s

motion.motion.

WellWell• Area at the rear of the boat where Area at the rear of the boat where

the motor may be located.the motor may be located.

BOATING TERMS FOR TEST!!BOATING TERMS FOR TEST!!

THE THE ENDEND