• Boat - A waterborne vehicle smaller than a ship that can transport things or people. It may be driven by mechanical means (power), wind (sail), or manpower (oars).

    • Vessel - A broad term for all waterborne vehicles, used without reference to size.

    • Ship - A waterborne vessel large enough to carry a boat, usually considered to be longer than 20 meters (65.7 ft.), as designed in the Navigation rules.

    • Bow - The front end of a boat. (Ship, vessel, craft, etc.)

    • Stern - The other end.

    • Port - The left side of a boat, when facing forward.

    • Starboard - (pronounced "starb`d") The right side of the boat, when facing forward.

    • Amidship - 1. A position equal distance from each side. 2. Any position near the middle of the boat when measured aft of the bow and forward of the stern.

    • Hull - The basic "shell" of the boat.

    • Kell - The very bottom of the hull, usually extended fore and aft to add stability to the boat.

    • Freeboard - The distance from the waterline to the bow or edge of the cockpit or deck.

    • Abaft - Any point on a boat to the aft of any other point.

    • Hatch - An opening on the top of a boat that allows access to below decks. (also: Hatchway)

    • Ladder - Stairs

    • Head - The toilet itself or the room in which the toilet is located.

    • Deck - Any horizontal surface that is walked upon.

    • Cockpit - Open wells in the deck of the boat outside the cabins usually astern or amidships, from boat can be steered.

    • Rudder - The device used to steer the boat, connected to the wheel or tiller.