At Marine Parts Source, we get a lot of calls from boat owners seeking advice or recommendations on a repair or project they are attempting to do themselves (and we love to help!).  However, it is not uncommon for novice boat owners to struggle in communicating exactly what they are attempting to do.  If you are attempting a repair on your boat, it's important that you are using the right terminology to communicate with a mechanic, a supplier of parts and equipment, or anyone else involved in helping you with the repair. Here are some of the important terms used in boating that will help you accurately describe your boat's repair.

What are the bow and stern?

For those that aren't accustomed to boating, you might be inclined to just call these sections the "front" and the "back of the boat.  Nothing will reveal you as an inexperienced boater faster!  The forward section of the boat's hull is referred to as the bow, and the rear section of the hull is called the stern.  The most forward section of the bow where the two sides of the hull meet is called the stem.  

What do port and starboard mean?

You could refer to the two sides of the boat as the left and the right, but you'd definitely be doing it wrong.  Because orientation of a boat can be confusing and change quickly, there are specific names for each side of the boat so that communication can be precise.  When you are facing the bow of the boat, the side to your left is known as the port side of the boat, and the side to your right is known as the starboard side.  This is especially important for understanding how navigation lights are used.  The port side light should be colored red, and the starboard side light should be colored green.  This specification allows other vessels to quickly identify not only the location of your boat but also its position, even from a great distance or at night.

The terms port and starboard actually derive from Old English centuries ago.  In those times, boats were controlled using an oar, and so the term for identifying the side where steering occurred with the oar was "steer-board", or basically the right-hand side of the boat when facing the bow.  And since steering happened on that side, the opposite side would be used to dock - making it the port side.

What is the bilge?

Some might be inclined to refer to the bilge as the "bottom" of the boat, but this is not correct.  The bottom of the boat is on the outside of the hull.  The bilge is inside the boat, and is the area inside the hull where water is most likely to collect.  Specifically, the bilge refers to the space between the bottom planking and the ceiling of the hold area.  A common device on most boats (and an often-replaced or repaired one) is the bilge pump, which is used to pump water out of the bilge whenever it collects there.

What is the bulkhead?

Maybe one of the more misleading boating terms is the bulkhead, which is typically a load-bearing upright wall located within the hull of the boat.  The bulkhead is an important part of the overall structure of the boat as it usually bears the weight of the deck and holds it up.  Centuries ago, the word "bulk" referred to cargo, and shipbuilders of the time realized that installing walls inside the hull of the boat would protect cargo and prevent it from shifting.  Originally, bulkheads were those walls built side-to-side within the ship for this purpose, but nowadays the bulkhead can refer to any interior vertical wall within hull (but not the hull itself).

What is the keel?

The keel is the lowest section of the hull as the boat sits in the water.  It runs lengthwise across the boat from bow to stern, and it provides hydrodynamic resistance to the lateral forces moving against the boat.  

What is the transom?

The transom refers to the flat wall or surface located at the stern of the boat.  Often, this is where outboard engines or sterndrives are mounted.  You may hear a mechanic refer to performing "transom service", and this usually means maintaning the components that are mounted to the transom and visible outside of it, like an outboard or the lower unit of a sterndrive.

What is the flybridge?

Some boats feature a second bridge that is located above the main bridge and/or console.  This second bridge is known as the flybridge, and it often contains a second control panel which is syncronized with the main control panel.

What is the gunwale?

Pronouncing this term incorrectly will surely reveal you as a novice boater.  It's pronounced "gunnel", and the gunwale is actually referring to the upper edge of the hull as it runs around the boat. Some might refer to cargo being "loaded to the gunwale", which means it is packed as high as the boat's railing.  "Loaded to the gunwale" can also refer to someone who is extremely drunk!

What types of engines can a boat use?

There are a variety of types of engines used for boats, and understanding the terminology referring to each will be helpful to anyone involved in conducting repairs or maintenance.  

An inboard engine is an engine block that is housed entirely inside the boat's hull.  An inboard engine is usually coupled with a transmission, and then a shaft connects to a propeller on the outside of the transom to propel the boat.

An inboard/outboard (I/O), or sterndrive engine is an inboard engine that is coupled to a drive, similar to the lower unit of an outboard motor, for propelling the boat.  Unlike a normal inboard motor, you can steer a boat with a sterndrive package by turning the drive.

A pod drive is another variation of the drive system where the inboard motor is coupled to a drive and gearbox that are mounted below the boat on the bottom of the hull.  This innovation allows for more intuitive steering and control of the boat in any direction.

An outboard engine is a motor that is mounted entirely outside of the hull, usually on the transom wall of the boat.  An outboard engine is easy to access for maintenance and repair, and steering is controlled by turning the entire motor.

 

The terms above are just the beginning of an entire world of language related to boating.  With these terms under your belt, you'll begin to sound like a more experienced boater, and you'll have a much better understanding of the layout of your vessel.