Although it is not an obligation, the truth is that a boat trip is much more enjoyable when you have a greater knowledge of it.
When it comes to sailing trips , knowing the parts of it is very important, since the passengers themselves sometimes also have responsibilities on board.
In this article you will learn much more about the main parts of a boat deck and their purpose.
If you are thinking of making a crossing aboard a sailboat, having knowledge of all these parts will help you to be safer and enjoy the trip more.
Main Parts of a Boat Deck
Let’s look at the main parts that you can find on the deck of a ship.
Prow
The bow is the front of the boat that cuts through the water as it goes.
This can be in different shapes, although it is most commonly pointed or rounded, which will vary depending on the boat.
The design of the bow is very important inside the boat, since depending on it the boat will have more facilities to cross the water and maneuver.
In the bow you can also find different important parts of the boat such as the anchor and the winch.
Stern
Quite the opposite of the bow.
The stern is located at the back of the boat and, as a general rule, is usually wider than the boat.
The importance of the stern is key to the propulsion of the boat and its maneuverability.
At the stern you can find the rudder that is responsible for controlling the direction of the boat.
In addition to the rudder, the stern also includes dinghy, access to the engine room and can also have space for relaxing or fishing.
Port and Starboard
Port and starboard are the concepts that have to do with the left and right side of the boat.
This term is essential for communication within a boat and to carry out maneuvers in the right way.
If you are taking a trip aboard a sailboat, it is very important to know these parts well in case you have to go specifically to one of them.
Thanks to these concepts, the crew members of the boat can accurately identify each of the parts and give and receive instructions in a much clearer and more precise way.
Roof Essentials
In addition to the parts of the boat, it is also important to know the essential elements that you can find on deck.
We have mentioned some of these above, but we are going to see more exactly what they are about and what they are for.
Rudder
One of the most important parts of ships is the rudder.
The rudder is the part of the boat through which its direction is controlled, since it is connected to the steering system of the boat so that it is able to move the stern and thus change the direction of the boat.
Winch
On the other hand we have the winch.
This part of the boat is a mechanism by which heavy loads, such as sails or anchor, are raised and lowered.
The winch works by using a motor or crank that winds or unwinds the cable.
Mast & Sails
One of the most recognizable parts of any boat is the mast and sails.
On a sailboat, the mast is the high pole that serves to hold the sails.
Depending on the size or type of sailboat, it may have more or less masts, so there is no fixed number either.
Sails, on the other hand, are large pieces of fabric that take advantage of the wind to propel the boat.
Knowing how to adjust the sails taking advantage of the direction of the wind is key if you want to take advantage of this natural energy to sail.
Candlestick and Guardamancebo
Another important part is the candlestick and the guardmancebo.
The candlestick is a vertical tube-shaped structure that is located along the deck of the sailboat, as a rule, it can be found on both sides of it.
On the other hand, the guardguard is a safety element of the boat itself, since it is a railing or net that is located and fixed to the candlestick to prevent falls overboard.
While the candlestick serves to provide rigidity to the deck and to better distribute the loads of the guardrail, the latter is an essential element when the conditions in which the boat sails are adverse in terms of weather.
Hatches and Portholes
The bottom of the boat can be accessed through the hatches. In this way, they are openings on the main deck that allow passengers and crew to pass to the lower part of the ship.
On the other hand, the portholes are small windows that are located in the walls of the hull and serve to allow natural light to enter it and also ventilation. There are several types of portholes, as some will be fixed while others can be opened to regulate ventilation inside the boat.
Bitas and Crows
The bitas are two vertical posts that are attached to the deck of the sailboat and serve to tie the ropes that hold the boat when it is at the dock. On the other hand, cleats are metal structures that can be installed on the deck or hull of the boat and are intended to serve as a point of support for mooring ropes, halyards or sheets.
While the bitas are an element of the boat that offers security to the boat when it is moored, the cleats serve to provide greater versatility to the boat due to all the uses that can be made of them.
Handrails & Octopuses
Another of the most characteristic safety elements of boats are the handrails. These are horizontal tubes or bars whose installation is carried out on the main deck of the vessel to offer greater safety to the crew or passengers when they move around the deck.
As far as octopuses are concerned, they are platforms that have some elevation and are usually installed on the bow and stern of the boat to offer better visibility and, therefore, make it much easier for the boat to manoeuvre in these areas.
