Anti-Fouling Paint – A type of paint used below the waterline that prevents barnacles and other attachments from forming on the hull of the boat; typically not serviced during a watercraft detail.
–– B ––
Bilge – The lowest part of a boat's inner hull. This is also an area where any incoming water is collected when the boat is afloat and then pumped out through a bilge pump.
Bimini – A bimini top is an open (often canvas) structure that sits over the cockpit of the boat for the purpose of sun/rain protection from above, supported by a metal frame. Can also be referred to as a "soft top".
Bow – The front of a boat.
Brightwork – Usually refers to the metal work of a boat, but it can also be a term used for finished, glossy wood of certain vessels.
–– C ––
Cabin – An enclosed space which can be above deck, below deck, or in between. Can also be referred to as a berth or deckhouse.
Cockpit – The area of a boat where the helm resides and where the helmsman controls the boat, its movement, and direction.
–– F ––
Fly bridge – A flybridge boat is characterized by having an area on the “roof” of the boat where there is a cockpit for the helmsman and a relaxation area. Can also be called the "fly".
–– G ––
Gel coat (or Gelcoat) – A material used to provide a high-quality finish on the visible surface of a fiber-reinforced composite.
GFCI – A Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter. This is a device that is installed either into the electrical system or into a power cord to protect a person from severe electrical shocks. It can also be called a GFI
in the US, an RCD (Residual Current Device) in the UK, and RCBO (residual current circuit breaker) in Europe and Australia.
Gunwales – The outermost top edge of a boat hull, usually where the deck and hull come together. Can also be known as "Gunnel".
–– H ––
Hull – A boat’s watertight enclosure, engineered to provide sufficient protection for the cargo, machinery, and passenger accommodations.
–– I ––
IPA (wipe) – Isopropyl Alcohol.
–– K ––
Keel – Often a structural beam that runs in the middle of the boat from bow to stern. The purpose of the keel is to help give the boat greater stability and control while moving forward. On some vessels such as sailboats,
the keel often protrudes from the bottom of the hull in the shape of a flat blade or fin.
–– L ––
Line – Ropes that are used on a boat. Most marine ropes are made of synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, and polypropylene.
–– P ––
Port – When looking forward from the boat, the port side is on the left.
Pulpit – The steel platform (usually with railings) at the front of a boat; it may also be called a "bowsprit". Some boats may also have pulpits at the stern (back) of the boat.
–– R ––
Rub Line – The line (usually protruding) on the outside of a boat between the hull and the deck that would rub or bump into a dock or fenders when mooring/docking the boat. Also called a "Bump Line" or "Rub Rail".
Rudder – A part of the steering apparatus of a boat or ship that is fastened outside the hull in the water, usually at the stern.
–– S ––
Shore power cord – Used to plug the boat into a power source on the dock or land to transfer power to the boat. This can either be a fixed power source or a generator. Can also be called a "ship-to-shore cord".
Starboard – When looking forward from the boat, the starboard side is on the right.
Stern – The rear of a boat.
–– T ––
Transom – A rigid plate at the stern (back) of the boat with a length equal to or less than the width of the boat, on which outboard motors are often attached.
–– Watercraft-specific Corrosion Terms ––
Galvanic corrosion (dissimilar-metal corrosion) – An electrochemical process in which one metal corrodes preferentially when in electrical contact with a different type of metal, and both metals are immersed in an electrolyte
such as water.
Stray current corrosion – Occurs when the normal balance between anodic and cathodic parts of the corrosion reaction have been disturbed by an external voltage or current.
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