If you’ve ever spent a day on the lake or ocean, you’ve probably heard some boat lingo that made you tilt your head and think, “Wait, what did they just say?” Welcome to the world of boating, where the front isn’t the “front,” the bathroom has a fancy name, and the right side isn’t just “the right side.”

Let’s dive into a few fun boating terms that will have you talking like a seasoned captain (or at least faking it really well):

Bow and Stern:

Forget front and back — the bow is the front of the boat, and the stern is the back. (Pro tip: If you’re trying to look cool, just casually point to the bow when someone asks where the snacks are.)

Port and Starboard:

Left and right? Too basic. When you’re facing the bow (the front), port is on your left, and starboard is on your right. A trick to remember: “port” and “left” both have four letters.

Galley:

No, it’s not a medieval ship! On a boat, the galley is the kitchen. That’s where the magic (and the snacks) happen.

Head:

Need a bathroom break? Better ask where the head is. This term goes way back to the days when ship toilets were placed at the head (front) of the ship.

Draft:

Make it stand out

Image from www.lippert.com

Nope, not beer (unless you’re at the marina). The draft is the depth of the boat below the waterline. Important to know if you’re trying not to get stuck in the shallows.

Bilge:

The bilge is the lowest part inside the boat’s hull — basically, where unwanted water collects. If someone tells you “check the bilge,” you might want to bring gloves.

Fenders:

Not the guitars, not car parts — fenders are those cushiony bumpers you hang over the side of the boat to protect it from docks and other boats. Think of them as your boat’s airbags.

Knots:

Boats don’t use miles per hour. Knots measure speed at sea. 1 knot = 1.15 miles per hour. So if someone brags their boat goes 30 knots, they’re really flying!

Final Thought:

Learning boat language is all part of the fun! Whether you’re a first-timer or a lake-life veteran, tossing a few of these phrases around will definitely make you sound like you know your way around a bowline knot (even if you secretly don’t).

Now, next time you’re out on the water, you can confidently shout, “Man overboard!” — preferably during a cannonball contest.

Happy boating!

Boat Language 101: Talk like a True Captain

Top 5 Boating Etiquette Tips every Captain Should Know and Abide By