Beam
Maximum width of a vessel
Freeboard
Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
Draft
Depth of
... [Show More] water needed to float a vessel
Keel
Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that
PWC
Think Jetskis and smaller power boats - Personal Watercraft - a small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion and is designed to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than inside the vessel
Planning Hull
Think power boats - flat bottomed vee-shaped hulls that allow the boat to glide over the water rather than push it aside
Displacement Hull
Think sail boats and cruisers - round bodied hulls that displace the water rather than glide on top of it - purpose is for a smooth ride while pushing the water aside
Displacement Mode
A planning hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a displacement hull
Plowing Mode
As speed increases, a planning hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and throwing a very large wake - avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mode
Planning Mode
Your boat is in planning mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the water - different boats reach planning mode at different speeds
Flat-bottomed Hull
Hull type: Planning
Advantages: Has a shallow draft which is good for fishing in small lakes and rivers
Disadvantages: Rides roughly in choppy waters
Deep-Vee Hull
Hull Type: Planning
Advantages: Gives a smoother ride than a flat-bottomed hull in rough water
Disadvantages: Takes more power to move at the same speed as flat-bottomed hulls - may roll or bank in sharp turns
Round Bottomed Hull
Hull Type: Displacement
Advantages: Moves easily through the water even at slower speeds
Disadvantages: Has a tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers
Multi-Hull
Hull Type: Displacement
Advantages: Has greater stability because of its wide beam
Disadvantages: Needs a large area when turning
Rudder
Steering device, usually a vertical blade attached to a post at, or near, the stern of the boat
Class A
Less than 16 feet
Class 1
16 feet to less than 26 feet
Class 2
26 feet to less than 40 feet
Class 3
40 feet to less than 65 feet
Tiller
Lever used to turn a rudder to steer a boat
Transom
Vertical surface at the back of the hull
Impeller
Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the rear of the vessel
Intake
Opening in the hull that draws water toward the impeller
Intake grate
Screening cover over the intake, which prevents large debris from entering
Drive Shaft
The long stem connection between the motor and the impeller
Steering Nozzle
Device used for directing the stream of water to the left or right
Capacity Plate
Near or under the operator's position or on the transom of the boat - plate indicates the max weight capacity and/or the maximum number of people that the boat can carry safely in good weather
Calculating Boat Capacity
Capacity = (boat length (ft.) x boat width (ft.))/15
15 suggests the average weight of a person (150 lbs)
Float Plan
Essentially a fail safe if you are going on a boat trip and something goes wrong - the float plan maps out where you were going and what time you planned on hitting a destination
Bilge
Interior of the hull below the floor boards; lowest part of a vessel's interior where the sides of the vessel curve in to form the bottom
Coupler
Coupler on a trailer connects to a ball hitch on a towing vehicle (frame mounted hitch is stronger than a bumper mounted hitch)
Tongue Wieght
Amount of the loaded trailer's weight that presses down on the towing hitch - tongue weight should be about 10% of the combined weight of the vessel and trailer
Trailer Safety Chains
Should be crisscrossed from trailer towing vehicle to trailer
Bunks
Wooden supports on which the vessel rests while on the trailer
Figure Eight Bend
Has several uses including connecting two ropes to make a longer line or making a stopper knot in a single line to prevent the line from slipping through a hole or a gap in a block or cleat
Bowline Knot
The bowline is a multi-purpose knot that is essential for boat operators to know. Forming the knot creates a fixed loop on the end of the rope or line—a loop that can be used for hitching, mooring, or lifting.
Anchor Bend Knot
A type of hitching knot, the anchor bend is used to secure a rope to an anchor or a ring. If additional security is needed, a half hitch can be tied at the end.
clove hitch knot
The clove hitch is handy for temporary hastening, such as when tying up to a piling - it is particularly usefull because, with experience, it can be tied with only one hand
Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
Handy for tying down a bulky load or tying a boat to a mooring post, the round turn and two half hitches is versatile. It is a secure knot that does not jam and is easy to undo.
3 Major Responsibilities of every boatter
1: Practice Good Spacemanship
2: Keep a proper look out
3: Maintain a safe speed
Give-way Vessel
The vessel that is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down or changing course
Stand-on Vessel
The vessel that must maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
Underway
A vessel not anchored, tied to shore or aground
Where should a boat turn if meeting head on (2 power boats)?
Neither vessel, in the instance of 2 boats heading head on, is the stand on vessel - both vessels should turn starboard or right
Paths that cross
The vessel on the operator's port (left) is the give-way vessel. The vessel on the operator's starboard (right) is the stand-on vessel.
Overtaking
The vessel that is overtaking another vessel is the give-way vessel. The vessel being overtaken is the stand-on vessel.
When two sailing vessels approach one another with wind on the same side, which vessel is the stand-on?
The leeward sailing vessel is the stand-on
Leeward
Direction toward which the wind is blowing or downwind - leeward vessel refers to the vessel that is downwind of the other
Windward
Direction from which the wind is blowing, or upwind - Windward vessel refers to the vessel that is upwind of the other
When two sailing vessels are approaching one another with wind on different sides, which vessel is the stand-on vessel?
The vessel with the wind on its starboard is the stand on vessel
Side Lights
Red and green lights on the right and left side of the boat - they are visible to other approaching vessels on the side or head on
What does the red light on a boat indicate?
Red light indicates a vessel's port or left side
What does the green light on the boat indicate?
The green light indicates a vessel's starboard or right side
When your power boat is anchored, which light should be activated?
All-round white light
When you are in a powerboat and you see a green and white light are you the stand-on or give-way vessel?
Stand-on
The green light represents the opposing boat's starboard side which means they are approaching from your left and they must give-way [Show Less]