Parts of a Boat

Let’s review the body of a boat to familiarize ourselves with the terminology used.

• Bilge: A compartment at the lowest point of a boat’s hull.
• Bow: The front of a boat is called the bow.
• Cleats: The metal fittings that secure ropes to the vessel are called cleats.
• Gunwales: The upper edges of the boat’s hull that provide extra rigidity for the hull are called the gunwales.
• Hull: The body of the boat is called the hull.
• Keel: The structural backbone of a ship that runs along the bottom of the hull is called the keel.
• Port: When standing at the stern of the boat and looking to the bow, the side of the boat to your left is called the port side.
• Sidelights: The red and green lights affixed to the bow of the boat are called sidelights.
• Starboard: When standing at the stern of the boat and looking to the bow, the side of the boat to your right is called the starboard side.
• Stern: The back of the boat is called the stern.
• Sternlight (all-round light): The light affixed to the stern of a boat that shines 135 degrees is called a sternlight.
• Transom: The vertical section at the stern that houses the boat’s motor is called the transom.