Boating Glossary A-Z

ANCHOR FAIRLEAD - A device through which theboat bottom and the floor.
anchor rope is led. It protects the bow of the boatLACING CUFF - A flap of material through which life
from chafing.lines are led. Lacing cuffs frequently act as upright
BENCH SEAT - A rigid seat, usually a wooden plank,reinforcements for the buoyancy tube.
which you can sit on while riding in or rowing a boat.MOTOR BRACKET - The section of the boat that is
BILGE PUMP - An electric pump used to removeframed to hold the mounted engine.
water that has built up in the hull of the boat.MOTOR SHAFT - The engine from below the motor
BOLT ROPE - A piece of material containing a sectionhead to the propeller. The motor shaft varies in length
of rope that slides into a slot in the hull to hold aand size depending on the horsepower of the engine.
buoyancy tube in place. Bolt ropes are also used toOARLOCK - A section of the boat, usually shaped like
hold seat cushions in place.a circle or U, that holds the boat's oars in place while
BOTTOM OF THE HULL - The part of the boat's hullallowing you to maneuver them for rowing.
that's under the water line. The navigation capacity ofPLANE - The moment at which the boat goes from
a boat is largely determined by the shape of thepushing water in its path to gliding over the water. This
bottom of the hull.is the phase that shifts a boat from low to high speed.
CAVITATION - A condition caused when the propellerA boat will sometimes "porpoise" when planing as the
on a boat isn't set low enough in the water, causing itbow overtakes its own wave.
to get too much air or insufficient bite; cavitationPRESSURE GAUGE - A small instrument that
causes loss of power to the motor. Common causesmeasures the air pressure level in a buoyancy tube.
are an improperly mounted (too high) motor, roughRUBBING STRAKE - A flexible, abrasion-resistant
seas and tight turns.material in bands around a boat that protect it from
CHOPPY WATER - Rough sea due to wind andexcess rubbing against a dock or anything else.
waves coming from different directions and hitting oneSELF BAILER - A type of valve that removes
another.accumulated water from the boat while preventing
COATING - A flexible substance (often rubber or awater from getting into the boat's hull. When the boat
similar material) that coats the interior and exterior of ais at rest or is not in use, a plug can be used to close
fabric. Air tightness and leak prevention are assuredthe self bailer.
by the interior coating; abrasion resistance is providedSTRINGER - Lengthwise bars, usually made of
by the outer layer.aluminum or another lightweight material, that lock the
COCKPIT - The part of the boat that holdsfloor boards into place in an inflatable boat.
passengers.TILLER ARM - An arm with controls used to steer an
CONE REINFORCEMENT - Rigid end caps to protectoutboard motor and steer the boat. A tiller arm is used
the buoyancy of flotation tubes.when the boat doesn't have a remote helm station.
DECITEX - A weight measurement used to gauge theTRANSOM - The part of the boat's hull to which you
strength of a particular textile. Higher decitex means awould mount the motor bracket or, in some cases, the
stronger material.motor itself.
DECK - The horizontal platform on which you canTRIM TABS/TRIM FLAPS - Small extensions of the
stand in a boat. Large boats may have more than onebottom of the hull beyond the transom that provides
deck.added stability and reduces planing.
D-RING - A D-shaped ring, usually metal, which is usedWATER EVACUATION PLUG - This plug, which is
in various ways to hold rope on a boat, particularlylocated in the lowest section of the hull's stern, allows
when beaching or towing a boat.water to flow out of the boat when you remove the
FLOOR - Like a deck. It's any surface on which youboat from the water.
can stand. Boat floors come in a variety of materials,ZODIAC - The Zodiac group is best known as a
including wooden slats, aluminum, composites ormanufacturer of inflatable boats. They invented the
fiberglass.concept of the inflatable boat and established the
HAND RAILING - A fitted grab rail for passengers toZodiac brand image. The term 'Zodiac' has become a
hold on to while in the boat or navigating.genericized trademark for any rigid hulled inflatable
KEEL - In a foldable boat, the keel is the inflatableboat.
lengthwise part found under the boat, between the