What is a boat stern?

The front of a boat is called the bow, while the rear of a boat is called the stern. When looking towards the bow, the left-hand side of the boat is the port side. And starboard is the corresponding word for the right side of a boat.
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What is the stern of a boat used for?

The main function of a stern is to provide a space for the tiller and steering device. In some cases, the outboard motor of the boat is also located there. This motor is the one that moves the boat forward thanks to a propeller that powers it.
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What part is the stern of a boat?

Stern: The back of the boat is called the stern. Sternlight (all-round light): The light affixed to the stern of a boat that shines 135 degrees is called a sternlight. Transom: The vertical section at the stern that houses the boat's motor is called the transom.
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Do all boats have a stern?

The rear of a boat is the stern, while the bow is the front. Many boats have their engines at the stern, while others use that location for seating or storage.
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Why is it called the stern of a ship?

The back of the boat is the stern. It could have derived from the word “steer” in many languages. We learned about the steering board earlier. Have another look at all the examples of the steering board above.
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How to remember bow and stern on a boat



What are the 4 sides of a ship called?

Now let's learn the words for the front, rear, left and right sides of the boat. The front of a boat is called the bow, while the rear of a boat is called the stern. When looking towards the bow, the left-hand side of the boat is the port side. And starboard is the corresponding word for the right side of a boat.
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What is the difference between stern and aft?

The difference between "aft" and "stern" is that aft is the inside (on board) rearmost part of the vessel, while stern refers to the outside (offboard) rearmost part of the vessel. The stern is opposite the bow, the outside (offboard) of the front of the boat.
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Where is stern located?

The stern is the back or aft-most part of a ship or boat, technically defined as the area built up over the sternpost, extending upwards from the counter rail to the taffrail. The stern lies opposite the bow, the foremost part of a ship.
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What is the difference between inboard and sterndrive?

Inboard boats go in one direction in reverse no matter what the position of the wheel. With a sterndrive boat, reverse thrust is directional. Sterndrive's can, at times, have higher maintenance requirements than inboards. However sterndrive motors are easier to get to.
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Which is better outboard or sterndrive?

Fuel Efficiency

If gallons per hour are important to you, consider a modern four-stroke outboard, as they are often the most fuel efficient. While RPMs at a cruising speed tend to be higher with an outboard engine, they still beat sterndrives in fuel efficiency — one of the pros of outboards on bowriders.
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What is port and stern?

Outboard: attached outside the ship. Port: the left side of the ship, when facing forward (opposite of "starboard"). Starboard: the right side of the ship, when facing forward (opposite of "port"). Stern: the rear of a ship (opposite of "bow").
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What is the bottom of the boat called?

Bilge – The lowest part of a boat hull that sometimes collects water.
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How do I remember port and starboard?

9 Easy Ways to Remember Port and Starboard
  1. Know where the names port and starboard come from. ...
  2. Learn a port and starboard joke. ...
  3. Think how many letters are in each word. ...
  4. Count the letter Rs. ...
  5. Think about port wine. ...
  6. Get a pair of port and starboard socks. ...
  7. Think about the alphabet. ...
  8. Think about your wedding ring.
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What is the left side of the boat called?

When looking forward, toward the bow of a ship, port and starboard refer to the left and right sides, respectively. In the early days of boating, before ships had rudders on their centerlines, boats were controlled using a steering oar.
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What are the parts of a boat called?

Every boat operator should know the following terms and definitions.
  • Bow : Front of a boat.
  • Stern : Rear of a boat.
  • Starboard : Right side of a boat.
  • Port : Left side of a boat.
  • Hull : Body of a boat.
  • Gunwale : Upper edge of boat's side (generally pronounced gunnel)
  • Cleat : Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened.
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What is a transom on a boat?

The vertical section at the rear of the boat is known as the transom. In most modern saltwater fiberglass boats, the transom can house single or multiple outboard motors.
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Can you beach with a stern drive?

Sterndrives are a faster and more efficient design, as they are mounted to the rear and produce less drag. They use less fuel than a shaft-drive, and can be trimmed up in shallow waters, allowing you to beach your boat.
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What is a stern look?

You know when you've done something really wrong, and the person who gets you in trouble has that unforgiving look on his face? The best word for that look is stern, meaning "strict" or "severe."
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How much of a boat is underwater?

Usually no more than 30 feet (9.1 metres) of a vessel sits under the water, which is only about 10% of the ship's overall height. These vessels are massive, and incredibly heavy.
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What is starboard on a boat?

Port and starboard are nautical terms for watercraft and aircraft, referring respectively to the left and right sides of the vessel, when aboard and facing the bow (front).
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Why do they call the poop deck?

We quote verbatim: “The name originates from the French word for stern, la poupe, from Latin puppis. Thus the poop deck is technically a stern deck, which in sailing ships was usually elevated as the roof of the stern or “after” cabin, also known as the “poop cabin”.
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Why do they call it port and starboard?

The word 'starboard' is the combination of two old words: stéor (meaning 'steer') and bord (meaning 'the side of a boat'). The left side is called 'port' because ships with steerboards or star boards would dock at ports on the opposite side of the steerboard or star.
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