Terminology

Question 1

Aft

Answer 1

The aft – Also known as the afterdeck – is at the rear of the boat, also called the stern.

Question 2

Flybridge

Answer 2

A flybridge refers to an open bridge deck from which the vessel can be fully controlled while providing all round, open air visibility.

Question 3

Port

Answer 3

Port is left.

Question 4

Starboard

Answer 4

Starboard is right

Question 5

Bow

Answer 5

The bow is the name for the hull at the front of a vessel.

Question 6

Stern

Answer 6

The stern is the hull at the back

Question 7

Astern

Answer 7

If you are astern, you’re at the back of the vessel or behind it

Question 8

Beam

Answer 8

The beam is the width of the craft at its widest point

Question 9

Hull

Answer 9

The hull is the watertight body of a yacht.

Question 10

Keel

Answer 10

The keel is the lengthwise main structural member or backbone of a vessel.

Question 11

Vee-Hull

Answer 11

A V-Hull is a hull of a ship that forms a V shape in cross-section instead of a rounded shape, the V being a better shape for offshore craft because it offers more stability.

Question 12

Deck

Answer 12

The deck is the part of the yacht you walk on.

Question 13

Deckhead

Answer 13

The deckhead is the underside of the deck above.

Question 14

Bulkheads

Answer 14

The bulkheads are the dividing walls between cabins and areas belowdecks.

Question 15

Head

Answer 15

The head is the toilet.

Question 16

Rudder

Answer 16

The rudder is underwater, at the stern end, and is used to steer the vessel.

Question 17

Propeller

Answer 17

The propeller propels the vessel through the water, powered by the motor.

Question 18

Sterngear

Answer 18

The sterngear refers to the watertight aperture through which the shaft, from the motor, connects to the propeller.

Question 19

Nautical Mile

Answer 19

A Nautical Mile is 1.852 km, 2025 yards, 1.1508 miles.

Question 20

Knot

Answer 20

A knot is a measurement of speed on water, namely one nautical mile per hour.

Question 21

Draft

Answer 21

The draft of a vessel is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel).

Question 22

Displacement

Answer 22

Displacement means the weight of water that a craft pushes aside when floating, made up of the weight of the vessel and its contents.

Question 23

Ballast

Answer 23

Ballast refers to material used to provide stability. Some vessels (e.g. ships) use ballast tanks to hold water as ballast.

Question 24

Bilge

Answer 24

The Bilge is the lowest internal area of a vessel. It is where water tends to collect and bilge pumps are used to expel the water.

Question 25

Bearing

Answer 25

A bearing is a direction in degrees. This might be an absolute bearing, which is the direction relative to north (true bearing relates to true north and magnetic bearing relates to magnetic north) or relative bearing which is the bearing relative to the direction of the vessel. For example, you might determine the relative bearing of a lighthouse which would be the clockwise angle from the heading of the vessel.

Question 26

Three-masted vessels

Answer 26

In three-masted vessels the masts are called the foremast, mainmast and mizzenmast. The foremast is at the front of the vessel, at the bow end.

Question 27

Forecastle. (Foksol)

Answer 27

The forecastle (fo’c’stle) is the name for an upper deck at the forward part of a ship or vessel. Historically this was where a castle structure would have been used by archers, hence the name.

Question 28

Berth. (3)

Answer 28

A berth can be a bed or sleeping compartment on a vessel. The term is also used to refer to where vessels are moored in harbours and marinas. And the term is also used to refer to the distance between vessels as they pass one another or pass a fixed object (‘give a wide berth’).

Question 29

Moorings

Answer 29

Moorings are places where you can moor – tie up – a vessel.

Question 30

Quay

Answer 30

A quay is the edge of a harbour.

Question 31

Breakwater

Answer 31

A breakwater is a barrier built into the ocean to protect landward vessels and structures from the sea.

Question 32

Buoy

Answer 32

A buoy is a marker out at sea often warning vessels of danger. They come in many different sizes and have different meanings.

Question 33

Gunwale

Answer 33

The gunwale is the top edge of the boat’s side.

Question 34

Helm

Answer 34

The helm is the steering apparatus, in particular the wheel or tiller.

Question 35

Main Deck

Answer 35

The main deck is the uppermost complete deck that stretches all the way from bow to stern.