Main Parts of a Boat Vessel

Sailing a boat could be one of the most satisfying feelings in the world. You get to enjoy the scenery of the ocean while you go against the waves and chase the horizon. Sailing can make you escape your busy city life as you isolate yourself in the ocean but you can only do this if you become a professional skipper, when you do, you should also know the parts of your Boat Vessel.

Before you become a professional skipper, you have to have proper training and you should also know the parts of your Boat Vessel. If you know the parts and how they work, you can easily repair your boating vessel if there are problems with it. Sea Safe Boat School is the right place to know all you need to know about boating and boating vessels. We provide the best knowledge and skills as well as professional training to help you with your boating journey. This time we will give you tips, advice as well as guides so you can fully enjoy boating.

Main Parts of a Boat Vessel

The Hull

• The hull of a boat consists of an internal network of frames that extend from side to side and that run the length of the boat. This is covered by an outer shell plating that is usually made out of fibreglass or metal. Each boat also has a keel, the backbone of the boat which runs along the center bottom of the boat. There are also types of hulls namely the displacement hulls and planning hulls. Boats with displacement hulls move through the water by pushing the water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little propulsion. Skippers Transport with planning hulls are designed to rise and glide on top of the water when enough power is supplied.

Bow, Deck, and Gunwale

• These are the curves of the boat. The shape of the bow is designed to lift the boat with the waves, rather than cutting into them. The curvature of the deck from the stem to the stern, known as sheer along with the flare and tumblehome also determines the boat’s displacement and buoyancy. Flare increases displacement while tumblehome is the reverse of flare. Flare is the outward turn of the hull as the sides come up from the waterline while tumblehome is the shape of the hull from the gunwale to the waterline. Gunwale is the upper edge of the side of a boat.

Chine

• Chine is the part that is how your boat handles and speed depends on. It is the part of the boat below the waterline and the shape of the stern. If the chine is rounded, it’s a soft chine while if it is squared, it’s a hard chine.

Stern

• Following seas can be dangerous and can cause a boat to broach or pitchpole. A flat square stern has a broader surface for a wave to act upon compared to a round stern. The round or cruise stern is safer in following seas because the wave splits and travels forward along each side of the boat.

Be knowledgeable about the Boat Vessel

Boating is fun but before you dive into that blissful moment of sailing, you also have to know the basic parts of the boat to help you during emergencies. Remember that nobody can help you but yourself, educate yourself properly to enjoy safely. Besides, you have to get familiarized with the boat before you can use it. I guess this also applies to everything in our life. Why use something that you do not know about? You’re only attracting the danger in this sense. Anyway, learn how to keep safe!

If you want to know more about boating, join our Skippers Transport classes now at Sea Safe Boat School! Contact us at 0429 146 201!

Reviewed By

Mike Watson

Mike Watson, chef instructor of Sea Safe Boat School, has over 35 years of sea-going experience. Starting his maritime journey at 15 in Grimsby, England, he's sailed locations like Iceland and Greenland. Certified as a Master-5 Trainer, Mike is now dedicated to offering courses to those pursuing their recreational skippers ticket in Perth.