Whether you've just taken up yachting or simply enjoy the view from a chartered catamaran, you’ll need to recognise nautical terms. Even basic parts like “port side” and “starboard side” can put a lot of first-time sailors on the wrong foot. Knowing this general boating terminology will allow you to navigate the boating world more easily.
If you understand the nautical terms, you will be able to navigate the boating world more easily.
Different boat parts and items
Let's take a look at boating terms in detail.
Bow of a boat
This is the front (the forward-facing part) of the vessel. It can also be referred to as the prow.
Stern of a boat
This is the back of a boat. This area is sometimes also referred to as "aft", though technically stern is the rear back of a boat and aft is the rear interior.
Boat hull
The hull of a boat is the entire body of the boat. The boat hull includes everything from the deck down, including the bottom of a boat, but not any rigging or other equipment/machinery held onboard.
The lowest point of a ship's hull is the keel - the longitudinal structure running from bow to stern. Going the opposite way, the widest point on a boat is called the beam.
The propeller of a boat
This is the fan mechanism beneath the water that spins to propel a motorised boat forwards and backwards. There are usually three blades and it can also be known as the “prop”.
To move a boat forward or backwards, the propeller converts torque, or engine power, into forwarding motion. Without propulsion, a vessel will float freely.
The rudder of a boat
This is part of a boat’s steering apparatus and is usually found outside the stern of a boat. On very simple and small vessels, a tiller is attached to the rudder for ease of navigation by a helmsman.
Otherwise, the rudder is attached to a wheel accessible at the helm. A large ship requires powerful torque controls to manoeuvre its rudders.
The transom of a boat
The transom is a boat stern’s cross-section. It’s built to strengthen the stern and is mostly located above water. Transoms can be used to support a swim platform, outboard motor and rudders.
Swim platforms, outboard motors, and rudders are all supported by transoms. Image: Jeanneau.com
Boat cleats
This (usually) metal fitting is attached to the top of a boat. You'll usually find at least 2 of these metal fittings on a small boat. They are devices used to fix and secure a rope or line at the bow and stern. Alternatively, cleats can be constructed from wood or plastic.
Boat hatches
Hatches are portals that connect the bottom of a boat with the deck on top. They come in all shapes and sizes but are commonly made of acrylic glass.
Deck of a boat
This is the portion of a boat where you can walk.
Helm of a boat
The helm is the epicentre of navigation where a boat’s wheel is located for steering a boat’s course.
Boat rigging
Rigging refers to the lines used to operate the masts, sails and yards on a sailboat. If you go up to the rigging, that’s known as “going aloft”. There are many different parts and types, from standing rigging with fixed lines to support each mast, to running rigging which is used to control sails.
Boat bimini
A boat’s bimini top is the open-front canvas cover used to shield passengers or crew from the elements.
The gunwale of a boat
These are the upper edges of a boat and are used to strengthen a boat's design. This edge area is also known as the gunnel.
Boat berth
These are the sleeping quarters of a boat. Likewise, a port’s berth is where boats dock when they’re ashore.
Boat ballast
A vessel ballast is a weight added to a boat to stabilise it. It is used to resist the lateral forces of a hull. It’s found in the boat’s keel, the foundational beam of a hull.
Boat bulkhead
Boat bulkhead is the partition wall within a boat’s hull for load spreading and dividing space.
Flybridge boat
This is the space on top of a boat's cabin. Depending on a flybridge boat's design, it's often where the helm is located but can also simply be a social or workspace.
The bilge of a boat
This is the lowest point of a boat’s hull and an area that often collects water. This lowest point often uses a bilge pump to remove excess water.
The cockpit of a boat
This is the protected area of the boat where its controls are located. It's otherwise known as the steering station.
Controls for the boat are located in the cockpit, a protected area of the boat. Image: Bavariayachts.com
Boat console
This is a small area located above a deck or cockpit that offers extra guest space. It can also be used more broadly to include the cockpit.
Saloon boat
A boat’s saloon is the principal dining room onboard.
Boat hardtop
These are solid coverings that sit on top of a vessel for protection against the elements. They offer greater protection and extra rigidity over softer canvas or bimini tops.
Boat T top
This is the metal structure built to hold a bimini, canvas or hardtop covering.
Dinette boat
This is the area of the vessel with a table for dining. It can also refer to the saloon.
The cabin of a boat
This is the entire space of the vessel below deck and room inside where people relax, dine and sleep. On a large vessel, like a cruise ship, all bedrooms are referred to as cabins.
Galley of a boat
A galley is the kitchen area of a boat or ship, no matter the size, where food is prepared.
Boat Livewell
A Livewell is an aerated tank found on fishing boats to hold fish until it’s time for weighing.
V-berth boat
This is a vessel with a bed in the bow area. Bows are (usually) pointed in a V-shape.
Personal flotation device
Personal flotation devices are life jackets. They need to be readily available to all passengers on board and should be stored in cool, dry areas. Not to be confused with personal watercraft, scooters and jet skis used for pleasure.
Kill switch
A kill switch is also known as a safety lanyard. It's a cord that attaches to the operator/helmsman so that when pulled, it activates an engine kill switch to shut down power.
Navigation lights
Navigation lights are required to be seen by other boats. The lights on a vessel include a masthead light on sailing boats (on top of the mast), a white stern light (at the rear) and a pair of red and green sidelights (at the bow).
To be spotted by other boats, boats must have navigation lights. Image: ridetheducksofseattle.com
Port side and starboard side
Port is the left side of a boat and starboard is the right side of a boat. Both terms are also used to locate specific hull sides. The port quarter is the left-side area of the vessel's hull behind the beam; the starboard quarter is the right-side area of the vessel's hull behind the beam.
Similarly, the port bow is the left-side area of the hull that curves toward the stern; the starboard bow is the right-side area of the hull that curves toward the stern.
Final tips
Once you've got the different parts of a boat down, you'll feel more confident hopping aboard. A tip for remembering each side of the boat is to remember that the word port, like left, has just four letters, so you know it's on the left side. Lastly, when you bow, you're facing forward, so that's the front of the boat.
Related article: Boat Terminology: Understanding The Anatomy Of Your Boat
