NAUTICAL TERMS

HULL:

The portion of the ship  that rides both in and on top of the water. It does not include any masts, sails, rigging, machinery or equipment.

DRAFT:

The distance between the waterline and the deepest point of the boat. It represents how much of the ship is physically in the water. It is also the minimum amount of water required to float the boat without touching the bottom.

BEAM:

The ship’s width at the widest point.

The more narrow it is when compared to length generally the faster the ship was designed to go but with a loss of stability.

FRONT AND BACK and SIDE TO SIDE

BOW:

The front of the ship.

FORWARD:

Towards the Bow (front) of the ship.

PORT:

When looking towards the bow, Port is on the left side.

STARBOARD:

When looking towards the bow, Starboard is on the right side.

AFT:

Towards the Stern (back) of the ship.

STERN:

Back of the ship.