Nautical Terminology: Essential Ship Parts and Measurements

Maximum Length

The distance measured parallel to the waterline design, between two planes perpendicular to the centerline (one forward, one aft).

Maximum Manga

The maximum width of the hull with fixed structures.

Prop

1. Maximum vertical dimension is the extent to half the length from the top of the gunwale or deck line to the underside of the hull at its intersection with the keel.

2. Each of the pillars supporting the roofs.

3. Stick to handle loads.

Freeboard

The vertical distance measured at the side from the top face gunwale or deck line to the waterline at maximum displacement.

Draft

The maximum dimension measured vertically of the submerged hull without counting the rudder, keel, tails, and other appendages that do not contribute substantially to the displacement. Synonymous with displacement.

Sheer

When the average depth is less than the depth in the middle, i.e., a deformation of the U-shaped hull.

Breach

When the average depth is greater than the depth in the middle, i.e., a deformation of the hull in an inverted U-shape.

Seat

The difference between the drafts fore and aft.

Maximum Displacement

The weight of the volume of water displaced by the hull, including all underwater appendages. Coincides with the weight of the boat, measured in metric tons (Top Arquimesas).

Arc

Expresses the volume inside the hull and structures. Synonymous with “Tonnage,” measured in Morsano tons (1 Morsano ton = 100 cubic feet). Net tonnage is the volume of the spaces that are commercially used.

Bow

The front of the ship, which paves the way for the waters.

Stern

The back of the ship.

Babor

The left side of the ship from stem to stern when looking forward, placing the observer in the bay.

Starboard

The right side of the ship from stem to stern when looking forward, placing the observer at the bay.

Float Line

The intersection of the ship’s side with the water surface.

Bottom

Part of the hull from the keel to the waterline when the boat is at maximum load (synonym of buoyancy).

Play Dead

Part of the hull from the waterline to the gunwale when the boat is at full load.

Sides

Each of the parts that the town is divided by a longitudinal-vertical plane (from bow to stern).

Amura

Fronts of the sides that converge towards the stem, forming the bow.

Fins

Backs of the sides that converge and close the hull from behind, forming the stern.

Cover

Each of the floors of a ship located at different heights, especially the superior one.

Plan

The lowest floor of the vessel or the top of the double bottom liner (if any).

Bilge

Low areas where filtered water will deposit. Their purpose is to store that water before it is shrunken to pumps.

Hull

The body of a vessel, excluding masts, structures, machines, or equipment.

Types: careening round, flat-bottomed hull, double round curvature, V-bottom, fixed keel bulb, twin keel, double fixed keel, etc.

Keel

The backbone of the ship’s skeleton, the central and lower part fore and aft that provides the foundation and strengthens the hull ribs and ship.

Types: keelson, bilge keel, keel, false keel or shoe, etc.

Roda

Part of the keel section, which splices it in the vertical or inclined direction, topping the hull at the bow (synonymous with breakwater).

Stern

Part attached to the keel on the back, vertically or inclined, which refers to the stern.

Frame

Each base or curved piece that fits the bottom keel of the ship and from there to the right and left, torn in two symmetrical branches, forming the ribs of the hull.

Baos

Each of the wood, braces, or joists that cross the ship from port to starboard at intervals, holding the covers.

Borda

Upper side of a ship. Becomes part of the cost between the deck and the gunwale, with which it is often confused.

Give

Longitudinal piece that covers the heads of the setbacks of the ties and forms the top of the railing.

Bulkhead

The walls of a boat. 1. Watertight bulkheads. 2. Collision bulkheads.

Sealing

The quality of remaining impervious to liquids for the sake of the boat’s buoyancy.

Bath

Open house in boats, where the cane or wheel is usually installed.

Scuppers

Holes in the shell at the height of the gunwales to let water out of the deck or, in some cases, the bath.

Drains

Conduits for water output, serving the same purpose as scuppers.

Seacocks

Also known as holes, valves are placed below the waterline, usually at the bottom of the boat, to allow or cut off water used for cooling, toilets, and other services.

Engine Exhaust

Outer tube leading to the burned gases from the engine.

Horn

Metallic coating packed inside a hole, named after the place where it applies, e.g., speaker of the propeller shaft, hawse horn, horn gutters, etc.

Rudder Limera

The hole where the center of the rudder blade’s rotation axis crosses the top.

Ports

Openings, usually circular, on the sides of the ship or in the bulkheads of the superstructure to provide light and ventilation.

Hatches

Openings, usually rectangular, in decks to establish communication between different departments of the ship.

Porting

Manholes on the deck, covered with glass casings for light and ventilation to the inner chambers.

Coamings of Ventilation

Steel or fiberglass tubes placed vertically on the cover and crowned with a hemispherical or oval cap used for ventilation.

Bilge Pumps

Machines designed to raise liquids, usually to extract them from the interior compartments of the vessel.

Handrails

Pieces of wood, cable, cape, etc., attached to stanchions or bulkheads, used for hanging or protection.

Cleats

T-shaped pieces of wood or metal affixed anywhere in the vessel, used to tie ropes, halyards, etc. They are placed vertically or horizontally.

Bollards

Timber or iron freight, strongly secured to the deck near the bow, used to turn the anchor cables when the ship anchors. Always placed horizontally.