If the batten connects the side plank and the bottom plank, it is called a chine log. Batten Seam In a batten seam the planks (or plywood pieces) are fastened by gluing or screwing to longitudinal battens, which are usually inside the hull. Baseline When you draw a boat from measurements, that is you loft it, a baseline is a straight line from which you start your measurements. Modern: Bow insignia or added wooden protection piece where the side meets the transom of a ship. badge Old: a carved wood ornament on the transom. Afterbody The back part of a hull behind the midship position. Boat Words Defined Abaft Behind, towards the back. Many thanks to people who have pointed out new words, mistakes, or alternate meanings. It's interesting that many nautical terms differ in meaning depending where you live.
If you want me to add a word, or you know another meaning let me know. I'm not planning to write a dictionary, just clarify enough boat words to make it possible to follow the gist of what these old fellers are talking about when they describe the traditional boats. It's not that the information is difficult to understand, it's just that the vocabulary is new to me.Įnglish is not my mother tongue so bear with me if some of the explanations are a bit wonky, or my grammar is a bit off. Mainly because I've been reading Chapelle and Gardiner, and I'm finding it quite hard going. This page is intended as a cheat sheet for non experts trying to understand more about small boats. Reading about small boats sometimes feels like reading a foreign language.
Nautical Terms Relating to Boat Hulls and Boatbuilding