Going over terms used in boating may seem like a trivial exercise but clear communication between captain and crew, captain and other vessels, and captain and dockhands can make situations flow smoothly. Here are a few nautical terms for this website but there are plenty of others not listed. We recommend referring to Chapman’s Piloting for those not listed. Of course you can always contact your local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, or Sea Grant Agent.
- Hull – the main structure of the vessel
- Deck – area of boat that lies atop the hull
- Keel – main support structure of the hull
- Keelson – a separate support beam attached to the keel
- Stem – the vertical support structure for the bow
- Stern – the rear (end) of the vessel
- Bow – the front of the vessel
- Forward – facing the bow
- Aft – facing the stern
- Port – the left side of the vessel if facing forward (red light)
- Starboard – the right side of the vessel if facing forward (green light)
- Transom – flat planking across the stern
- Rudder – flat service at, or beneath, the stern used for steerage
- Rudderpost – vertical shaft extending from the rudder to the helm
- Helm – device for steerage
- Wheel – circular steering device
- Tiller – steering device that is a post or shaft of wood
- Lifeline – plastic covered wire stretching stem to stern above deck used to hold on to during weather
- Stanchions – vertical post extending from the deck that supports the lifeline.
- Hatch – openings through deck down below
- Galley – where you cook and eat
- Head – where you go to the restroom
- Locker – stowage area
- Berth/Bunk – area where you sleep
- Cockpit – low area of deck where the helm is located
- Toe rail – raised area along the edge where decks meet hull
- Companionway – opening from deck to below decks
- Scuppers – opening( holes) where water can drain from the decks or cockpit
- Port (porthole) opening within the deck to allow light or air in
- Overall length (l.o.a.) – length of vessel from stem to stern
- Waterline (l.w.l.) – length of hull that touches the water
- Beam – width of decks at its widest section
- Draft – the amount of water required to float the vessel
- Freeboard – the height of hull between the waterline and deck
- Bilge – the lowest point within the hull; where waste tends to collect and requires bilge pump
- Dock – is the water in which the boat lies when she is “made fast” to shore or pier
- Drydock – no water beneath vessel
- Wharf – wooden/concrete structure that runs parallel with the shoreline
- Pier – wooden/concrete structure that runs perpendicular to shore
- Piles – wooden/concrete structures driven into the sediment to which a vessel is made fast
- Dolphin – group of pilings grouped together and bound with wire cables to form single structure
- Slip – area formed by pilings where vessels are berthed
- Finger pier / catwalk – small piers that extend 90° from the main pier
- Jetty – dike or embankment that is connected to shore and run parallel to shore
- Groin – dike or embankment that is connected to shore and runs perpendicular to shore
- Breakwater – dike or embankment that runs parallel to shore but is not connected to it
- Line – term used for rope on a vessel
- Bow line – makes fast the bow
- Stern line – makes fast the stern
- Spring line – lines to lead from the bow aft or the from the stern forward
- Painter – line that attaches the dingy to the vessel
- Rode – term for anchor line
- Ground tackle – the rode, chain, and anchor system
- Scope – the amount of rode used to anchor vessel (depends on depth of water)
- Kedge – an anchor used to get vessel off when aground (stuck on bottom)
- Chock – deck fittings with inward facing horns used to hold lines when made fast or anchored
- Cleat – deck fittings with outward facing horns used to tie off line “cleat off”
- Bitts – wooden or metal blocks used to tie off line when holding a heavy load
- Fenders – rubber or plastic air filled objects used to keep vessel off a pier or catwalk
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