CONSUMER INFORMATION & INDEX

 

 

6

 

BOATING TERMS

 

 

TERM

DEFINITION

Bow

The front part of the boat.

 

 

Deck

The “floor” or upper structure which covers the hull.

 

 

Give-Way

The vessel which must yield the right-of-way when two boats meet.

 

 

Gunwale

The meeting junction of the deck and hull; the upper edge around the

 

boat. Pronounced “gun’l.”

 

 

Hatch

An opening in the deck which provides access below.

 

 

Helm

The steering console.

 

 

Hull

The basic part of the boat; the under side.

 

 

Lanyard

The cord or tether that connects the operator to the engine stop

 

switch so the engines will stop if the operator accidentally leaves the

 

helm.

 

 

PFD

A Personal Flotation Device, also known as “life jacket.”

 

 

Planing

Traveling at a speed fast enough so the boat has leveled out and is

 

skimming on top of the water. There is a wake.

 

 

Port

The left side of the boat.

 

 

Stand-On

The vessel with the right-of-way when two boats meet.

 

 

Starboard

The right side of the boat.

 

 

Stern

The back part of the boat.

 

 

Sub-Planing

Traveling at a medium speed. The bow of the boat is out of the water,

 

but you are still traveling through the water. There is a wake.

 

 

Transom

The vertical part of the stern.

 

 

Trolling

Traveling at idle speed, using little or no throttle. The boat is down in

 

the water and it is not leaving a wake.

 

 

Wake

The visible track of disturbed water that the boat leaves behind as it

 

moves in the water.

 

 

 

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