• Halyards are lines used to hoist sails and
flags, to the top of the mast and to the
spreaders.
• Sheets are lines used to control sails and
booms.
Paddleboat Terms
• Canoes usually have symmetrical hulls
with pointed bow-like structures at each
end. At each end is a small deck plate,
which provides structural integrity and a
place to grip the canoe while lifting and
moving it.
• Typically two seats for the paddlers are
built into a canoe.
• A carrying yoke is a permanent strut
located amidships. It is used in transporting
the canoe in addition to providing
structural rigidity.
• Thwarts are used as structural struts connecting
the two gunwales at one or more
points along the length of the canoe.
• Kayak hulls are also symmetrical. Carrying
handles are provided at each end to
facilitate lifting the kayak.
• Kayak hulls are enclosed top and bottom
except for an opening for the paddler.
This opening is called a cockpit. A pronounced
cockpit rim is often provided to
which a skirt can be attached to help keep
water from entering the hull. Some kayaks
are designed for paddlers to sit on top
rather than within the hull. These kayaks
provide formed seats and foot recesses.
• Deck hatches are often provided for stowage
of gear in enclosed watertight compartments
(Figure 1-7).
POWERBOAT HULLS
There are two basic types of hulls, displacement
and planing. All boats displace water
when they are lowered into the water. The
weight of this displaced water is equal to
the weight of the boat. As you will soon
see, some boat hulls are designed to ride in
the water, some almost totally on top, and
some in between.
Displacement Hulls
A displacement hull moves through the
water pushing the water aside (Figure 1-8,
next page). It maintains its full displacement
of water whether sitting or moving. Because
of its design and propulsion it cannot lift
onto the surface of the water. Boats in full
displacement mode have cruising speeds
limited by the length of the boat. The longer
the boat, the faster it can go. Displacement
boats tend to be very fuel efficient. Most
sailboats have displacement hulls.
Planing Hulls
Most recreational powerboats have planing
hulls (Figure 1-9, next page). These boats
operate as displacement hulls at rest and at
6 Chapter One
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Figure 1-7. Parts of a typical
canoe (top) and kayak
(bottom)
deckplate
thwart
carrying handle deck hatch cockpit cockpit rim