BOATsmart! + Campfire Collective

Campfire Collective helps people have awesome outdoor adventures. We’re on a mission to get you to the water, trail, field and mountain with more confidence. Learn more about our online courses and what we do.

BOATSMART! IS FUELLED BY THE CAMPFIRE COLLECTIVE

BOATING KNOWLEDGE BASE

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BOATING

Select Your Country

Basic Boat Terminology

40753 views 1 min , 18 sec read 24

Boating Terminology

This article will help you get familiar with some basic boating terminology.

Who is the ‘Operator’?

A boat ‘operator’ is the person who is in control of the pleasure craft and who is responsible for it’s operation. As a pleasure craft operator you are responsible for yourself, your passengers, your boat and the safety of other boaters on the water.

What is a ‘Pleasure Craft’?

A ‘pleasure craft’ is any vessel, ship or boat that’s only used for pleasure or recreation. The most common types of pleasure craft include: sport fishing boats, bow riders, deck boats, inboard ski/wakeboard boats, houseboats, pontoon boats, cabin cruisers, yachts, personal watercraft, sailboats and paddle craft.

Note: If the boat carries goods or passengers for any type of profit, it’s considered to be a commercial boat. Commercial boats will have different rules and regulations.

What is a ‘Personal Watercraft’?

A ‘personal watercraft’ (PWC) is a small watercraft that’s equipped with an inboard engine and is powered by a jet-propulsion system. A personal watercraft will have unique handling characteristics because of its small size and method of power. For example, you can’t steer a personal watercraft unless throttle power is applied.

What is a ‘Power-Driven Craft’?

Any boat powered by a motor or engine is a ‘power-driven craft’. Some examples of this popular type of boat include the bow rider, the deck boat and the sport fishing boat.

What is a ‘Human-Powered Craft’

A ‘human-powered’ or ‘non-powered’ craft, operates without a motor or engine. You manually move these types of boats forward with a paddle, sail or foot pedals. Examples include, canoes, kayaks, rowboats or wind-powered sailboats.

What is a ‘Sailing Vessel’?

A sailing vessel, or sailboat, is any boat that’s under the power of sail (wind-powered). If a sailboat is powered with an engine, it’s considered to be a motorized boat and it will be subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to motorized boats.

Safe Boating Tip: You must understand the difference between ‘power-driven’ craft, ‘human-powered’ craft and ‘sail-powered’ craft. Why? Because the navigation and equipment rules are different for each type of boat!