Boat Terms: A Guide to Boating Lingo

Whether you are new to boating or looking to refresh your memory on some basics, below are the most significant general phrases that all boaters need to know.

General:

Bilge: The lowest point inside the boat, where water collects. A pump is generally used to remove the water.

Bimini top: A stowable, cloth cover on a folding framework used for providing shade.

Chine: The angle where the hull bottom meets the hull side.

Cleat: A tie-on point, usually on the gunnel, used for mooring the boat.

Fender: A stowable cushion used to keep the boat from hitting the dock.

Gunwale (aka Gunnel): The upper outer edge of the hull.

Head: A toilet on a boat.

Helm: The captain’s (driver’s) position when operating the boat.

Holeshot: The amount of time it takes for the boat to accelerate onto plane.

Hull: The watertight foundation of the boat, allowing it to float on the water.

Jump Seat: A supplemental seat, sometimes folding and hidden, for additional passengers.

Keel: The centerline at the bottom of a boat.

Strake: One or more pronounced ridges running the length of the hull to improve tracking and performance.

Navigation Lights: Lights used in low light and after dark. Port (left) is red, and starboard (right) is green.

Outboard: The boat’s motor, mounted to the transom.

PFD: Personal Flotation Device, commonly known as life jacket.

Plane: The boat’s stance when underway at an optimal running speed

Planing: The bow returning to near horizontal after the initial lift of acceleration.

Prop: The fan-shaped device at the bottom of the outboard that makes the boat move by transferring the power of the motor to the water.

Rubrail: A strip, usually rubberized, that runs along the perimeter of the boat to protect it from damage.

Safety Lanyard or Kill Switch: A lanyard which attaches to the driver’s clothing and turns off the engine in the event that the driver is thrown from the boat.

Ski Pylon/Bar: A rope connection point at the stern for towing skiers, tubers, wakeboarders, etc.

Tracking: The tendency of the boat to move in a straight line naturally.

Transom: The back section of the hull upon which the outboard is mounted.

Trim: The angle by which the outboard is adjusted to improve performance.

Twin Engine: A boat with two outboards.

Wake: The waves caused by a boat’s movement.

Waterline: The point at which the boat sits on the water when loaded. 

Orientation:

Port: Left, when in the boat and facing forward.

Starboard: Right, when in the boat and facing forward.

Fore: The forward direction inside the boat.

Aft: The backward direction inside the boat.

Bow: The front of the boat.

Stern: The back of the boat.

Measurement:

Length (LOA): The length of the entire boat from bow to stern, not including the outboard.

Deck Length: The length of a deck, not including the tubes (for pontoons).

Towing Length: The length of the trailered boat with outboard raised.

Storage Length: The length of the trailered boat with outboard lowered.

Beam: The width of the boat at its widest point.

Deck Width: The width of a boat’s deck.

Deadrise: The angle of the hull relative to the waterline.

Draft: The depth of the lowest point of the boat when sitting in the water.

Freeboard: The height of the boat that sits above the water.

Dry Weight: The weight of the boat with no fuel, gear, or people.

Towing Weight: The weight of the trailered boat.

Read on for more boat terms that are specific to pontoons.