Introduction
A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes but is generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size or capacity.
How do you describe a boat?
Boat floats, planes, works, or travels on water and comes in many sizes. You typically find small inland waterways (e.g., rivers and lakes) or protected coastal areas. However, designers created boats such as the whaleboat to operate from a ship in an offshore environment.
PARTS AND TERMINOLOGY
Several key components make up the main structure of most boats. The hull is the main structural component of the boat and provides buoyancy. The gunnel, which makes up the sides of the ship, offers protection from water and makes the boat harder to sink. The roughly horizontal, chambered structures spanning the hull of the boat are referred to as the deck. Ships often have several decks, but boats are unlikely to have more than one, if any. Above the deck are the superstructures. The underside of a deck is the deck head.
BUILDING MATERIALS
Until the mid-19th century, most boats were made of natural materials, primarily wood, although reed, bark, and animal skins were also used. Early boats include the bound-reed style of boat seen in Ancient Egypt, the birch bark canoe, the animal hide-covered kayak and coracle, and the dugout canoe made from a single log.
PROPULSION
The most common means of propulsion are as follows:
* Engine-powered propellers
Inboard
Inboard/outboard (stern drive)
Outboard
Paddlewheel
Water jet (personal watercraft, jetboat)
Air fans (hovercraft, airboat)
* Human power (rowing, paddling, setting pole, etc.)
Wind power (sailing)
BUOYANCY
A floating displaces its weight in water. The material of the hull may be denser than water, but if this is the case then it forms only the outer layer. If the boat floats, the mass of the boat (plus contents) as a whole divided by the volume below the waterline is equal to the density of water (1 kg/l).Adding weight to the increases the volume below the waterline, causing the boat to sink a little to maintain balance.
What are the uses of boats?
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For thousands of years, people have used boats to move goods and people across water. Today the word boat means a small watercraft used for fun or for carrying small loads. We call larger boats that carry many people or tons of goods over long distance ships.
Why is a boat good?
Boating provides great exercise.
Using your boat as a platform for recreation offers endless possibilities –water skiing, wakeboarding, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, and swimming provide great exercise.
What are the benefits of boats?
Boats Can Reduce Stress
If you want to decrease stress, take a boat ride. There’s nothing like going out on a boat at night and watching the lovely sunset on the lake. Boating is one of the finest stress-reduction activities since it allows you to get away from anything that may give you too much pressure in your life.
What are the pros and cons of boats?
Pros and Cons of Owning a Boat
- Enjoying time with family and friends. For most people, a normal week comprises working long hours, running errands, taking the kids to school, and picking them up from practice. …
- Endless waters. …
- Affordable recreation. …
- Limited usage. …
- Cost to maintain. …
- Cleaning. …
- Expensive accessories.
Do you know the facts about boats?
Interesting Facts About Boats
Most ocean-going cargo ships have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years, but a plywood or fiberglass sailboat is 30 to 40 years. Ships constructed of solid wood can last considerably longer, but owners must maintain them regularly. If properly maintained, a steel-hulled boat can survive over 100 years.