Complete Guide on 30 Key Boat Parts: Names, Functions & Diagram

A boat is a watercraft of a significant range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or ability to carry boats. It travels over the water of lakes, rivers, and seas. It runs through the engine by creating a thrust of the water by the propeller. The shape and design of the propeller and engine capacity play an important role here. How many of you traveled by boat? You guys have to try. It gives you a fantastic experience of travel. Also, how many of you know the parts of a boat? We can tell a few of them, but all are difficult to tell. So this article is for those who don’t know about the boat parts.

After knowing these parts, in an emergency, you use them to save your life and others. But if you don’t know these parts and their function, you can not operate them. So this article will help you to understand more about those parts and their functions.

Parts of a Boat Diagram

Parts of a Boat Names

Boat Parts

Ballast

Ballast is the weight in the form of water, stone, metal, or other placed at the base of the boat or low of the hull to increase stability and performance.

In most boats, water is present in the ballast tank. It moves in the ballast tank to balance the boat. In large boats or vessels, ballast remains below the seawater level to counter the above-water weight.

Berth

It is found on the boat for mooring and docking when they are not at sea. It gives a vertical front for safe mooring to load and unload the luggage or people on the boat.

Bilge

It is the lowest portion of the boat hull, which rests on the ground first when the boat is unsupported by water. When the boat went on the water, firstly water collects in this area.

Bimini

Bimini is an open front canvas on the boat cockpit, usually supported by a metal structure. It can be folded and unfolded as per the requirement. It usually protects people from the sun’s rays.

Bow

It is the front portion of the boat.

Bulkhead

The bulkhead is the upright wall within the hull of the boat. It helps to increase the structural rigidity of the boat, divides the area into rooms, and helps to create a watertight compartment.

Cabin

A cabin is a space or accommodation for the driver and passengers. In some boats, it is a well-decorated room designed for staying.

Casting deck/platform

It is the back side of the boat for setting and enjoying the view. It is also for fishing without any obstructions.

Cleat

It is a tie-down point or clamping point on the deck. While rigging and de-rigging loads on the boat, cleat secure the boat on the sea shore or in the dock.

Brass and aluminum alloys are good alternatives for the cleat with stainless steel hardware. But galvanic corrosion occurs when we use the brass cleat and ss hardware. It is advised to employ the same hardware material for a cleat to avoid galvanic corrosion.

Cockpit

The cockpit is the enclosed area where all controls and controlling devices are present to operate the boat. The operator has a separate seat in the cockpit to regulate the boat.

Small boats have a cockpit at the stern side, whereas large boats have a cockpit at the center.

Console

The console is the dashboard where all controls, ignition system, radio, electronic devices, switches, and steering system are present.

Deck

The deck is the permanent cover over the hull of the boat. It is s primary horizontal structure that strengthens the roof and serves as a primary working surface.

Deck gives structural strength to all all-other equipment of the boat. It bears the dynamic forces acting by the people and due to the working of the equipment.

Dinette

It is an area on the boat with seating arrangements, tables, sofas, dining arrangements, and more for dinner or relaxation.

Flybridge

It is an area on the roof or top of the boat cabin where the steering system is present, and we can take sunbathe. It helps to give broad visibility of the area while driving a boat.

Galley

The galley is the area for the kitchen where we can store all kinds of foods and cook them whenever required.

Gunwale

These are the outermost top edges of the boat on both sides where the hull and deck meet. It is strong enough to bear the seat load and handle the burden of any clamping device like a cleat.

Hardtop

It is a top roof on the boat cabin, which helps to protect the driver and passengers from the various elements.

Hatch

It is an opening through which we can access or store the cargo, accessories, materials, and more in the boat. This hatch is strong enough to bear the load and impact load. It is waterproof, but if leakage occurs, we can easily replace them.

Helm

It is a space from which we can steer the boat. Generally, the helm refers to any component, which can drive the boat. In most cases, the wheel acts as a helm in all the boats.

Hull

The function of the hull is to protect the equipment, machines, and goods from bad weather and floods. It is the watertight enclosure of the boat from both sides and covered fully or partially by the deck from the top.

Livewell

Livewell is the fishing tank in the boat to keep caught fish and bait alive. It works by pumping fresh water from the surrounding body into the tank and keeping the water aerated.

Propeller

A propeller is a rotating hub and radiating blades set at a pitch to form a helical spiral. When it turns, it creates and exerts thrust on the water to propel the boat forward. The blade shape is very much responsible for producing a higher thrust.

Rigging

Rigging is the system of ropes, cables, and chains to support a sailing ship or sailboat’s masts.

Rudder

A rudder is a control surface to steer a boat that moves through a fluid medium. With this rudder, we can guide the boat and take a turn whenever necessary.

When the propeller creates a water thrust, the rudder moves at an angle to steer the boat. It is hinged at one point to make an angle to get the boat turned.

Stern

Stern is on the opposite side of the boat at the foremost side.

Swim platform

It is an aft portion of the boat to get into it from the dock or water. This platform allows people to stand and jump in the sea for swimming.

T-top

A T-top is a metal structure on the top to protect the driver from the sun’s rays. It is made of high-strength material to resist the wind load.

Transom

It is a vertical reinforcement to strengthen the stern of the boat. It is typically above the water line.

V-berth

It is a v shape leaving room in the boat and comes with a v-shaped bed. This shape looks triangular due to the shape of the hulls.

Read More-

• 30 Important Parts of a Ship, Names, Functions & Diagrams
• 13 Important Parts of Canoe, their Names & Diagram