Boat Parts: A Beginner’s Guide

Here are the most basic and essential boat parts and boating terms you need to know. Please note the specific boating terms mentioned below are commonly used to describe all boats regardless of brand and boat type (pontoon, aluminum, etc).

If you want to operate a boat, it’s important to get yourself familiar with the controlling system of the boat, especially the related boat parts and their functions.

Here are the most important boat parts you need to know for controlling the vessel:

• Helm: The control or steering station that used to steer the boat
• Rudder: A vane located beneath the waterline at the stern that steers the boat (via a wheel or tiller).
• Cockpit: The enclosed or open seating area from where you steer the boat.
• Console: A raised area above the deck or cockpit of a boat that holds the helm or a steering station
• Tiller: A bar or handle that’s connected to the rudder or a small outboard for steering.
• Wheel: The steering wheel of the boat
• Masts (Only for sailboats): A vertical spar (usually made of aluminum, carbon, or wood) located at the center-line of a sailboat that supports sails.
• Sails (Only for sailboats): The pieces of canvas extended from the mast which are designed to catch the wind and propel the sailboat.

What are the boat parts of the propulsion system? What controls the speed of a boat?

The propulsion system is one of the most important parts of a boat, which includes the following components:

Now you have a basic understanding of the basic structure of a boat, let’s move on to a more comprehensive anatomy of a boat with some additional important boating terminology:

• Anchor: A heavy metal used to secure your boat in the water by dropping it down into the water’s bottom and grasping the bottom surface.
• Beam: The widest part of a boat
• Bilge: The lowest part of a ship’s interior that can collect water sometimes (That’s why we got bilge pumps)
• Draft: The distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull
• Aft: The rear section of a boat
• Forward: The front section of a boat
• Freeboard: The distance between the waterline and the top edge of the boat’s deck
• Waterline: The line on a boat’s hull that marks the surface of the water when the boat is afloat
• Keel: The backbone of the boat, providing stability (preventing the boat from being pushed sideways by the wind)

No one wants their boat parts to break and rust away all the time. However, a lot of boat parts are built incredibly cheap which can break easily.

So where can we find quality boat parts and save money?

My recommendation is to buy from the manufacturer’s website (or from their local authorized dealer) whenever possible. Generally, you will find the boat parts and local dealer’s information on their official website.

If you are in an emergency or want to find boat parts nearby, you may go to the privately owned marine chandlery. Those small local stores will have a great selection with decent prices and services.

If you live in a landlocked area where marine stores are hard to come by, you can try RV stores or just shop online. For example, search Amazon boat parts or eBay boat parts, and you will get a lot of great options at decent prices. Reputable resellers (like West Marine) are also go-to resources for quality boat parts.

Craigslist is a great place to go if you want to buy used boat parts and accessories.

Attention: There are a lot of counterfeits out there that are not marine quality. So always be leery of those incredibly cheap boat parts or things that are just too good to be true.

By reading this far, you should have enough knowledge about the parts of a boat to go on your first trip and communicate with the crew confidently.

Here we list some frequently asked questions about boating terms and boating terminology (with quick answers). Check them out in case you share the same confusion.

1. What’s the most important part of the boat?

All boat parts mentioned above play an important role in helping you navigate smoothly and safely in the marine environment. The hull is the main part and arguably the most important part of a boat.

2. What’s the back of a yacht called?

The back of a yacht is named stern or aft. There is sometimes a swim platform on the stern which provides extra space for you to stand, sit, or lounge.

3. What’s the main deck of a boat called?

The main deck of a boat is called the primary deck or upper deck, which generally runs from the forward to the stern portion of the boat.

4. How to remember port and starboard?

An easy way to remember Port and Starboard is to count the number of letters for each word. Here is the trick: Port and left have the same number of letters, so the port means the left-hand side of a boat.

5. What’s the interior of a boat called?

The enclosed space within the boat is called Cabin. It usually features living accommodations including sleeping quarters, galley, and bathroom facilities.

Conclusion

The list of boating terms and parts can go on and on if you break it down into all the components inside. If you want to know more about certain parts of a boat or are still confused about a specific boating terminology, please leave us a comment below, and I will get back to you with further explanation as soon as possible.