Most people call the part of a boat in contact with water simply the bottom. But does it have a name? This article seeks to answer this question.
You may be probably one of the people that think the part of a boat in contact with water is simply called the bottom. After all, it’s just the bottom, right? Well, this part of the boat has an actual name.
The bottom of a boat is called the hull or the watercraft. The hull is one of the most important parts of a boat. It plays a vital role of protecting machinery, cargo, and the boat’s accommodation spaces from water and structural damage. It also helps to steady a boat when it’s moving in the water.
If you are a boating enthusiast, you may be probably wondering what’s the bottom of a boat is called. Well, this article will answer this question. We will answer what the bottom of a boat is called as well as the different types of boats.
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Overview
Boats provide a great means of escaping our everyday lives. Whether you are cruising the Caribbean islands from a charter yacht or you are simply sailing the waters of a local lake with your fishing boat, spending time on the water is extremely relaxing and refreshing.
But, to enjoy most of your time on the water, it’s advisable to learn the various parts of a boat, how they work as well as their importance. Today, we will take a closer look at the bottom of a boat.
What is the Bottom of a Boat Called?
The bottom of a boat is known as the hull. Also known as the watercraft, a boat’s hull may be partially or fully covered with a deck or open at the top, like the one found in a dinghy.
The hull is usually divided into two sections. These are the bow and the stern. The stern is the rear part of the hull while the bow is the front part of the hull. Different boats come with different types of hulls. The different types of hulls that you will find in different boats will depend on the speed at which it’s designed to travel.
Types of Hulls
As mentioned above, different boats are outfitted with different types of hulls, based on the speed at which they will be cruising. In this section, we will take a closer look at some of the most common types of boat hulls.
Displacement Hulls
Displacement hulls are commonly found in large water vessels like traditional recreational sailboats, some fishing trawlers and large ships. Displacement hulls have a rounded bottom. They are designed to help large water vessels to navigate rough waters safely. And while these displacements are slow, they can steadily push through rough waters. And this explains why you will find them in larger water vessels.
V-Shape Hull
V-shape hulls are among the most popular boat hulls. As their name suggests, these hulls resemble a V. The main benefit of a V-shaped hull is that it can easily and safely power through waves. V-shape hulls are ideal for boats that frequently experience challenging weather. Due to their design, V-shaped hulls will enable the boat to move at high speeds. The main disadvantage of this bottom of a boat is that the vessel will have lesser interior space. V-shaped hulls are mainly found in fishing boats and commercial boats.
Flat Bottom Hulls
Flat bottom hulls are ideal for boats that move at slower speeds. They are mainly built for navigating calm water bodies as opposed to rough rivers or seas. Flat bottom hulls are usually found on small boats.
Pontoon Hulls
Pontoon hulls are usually found in pontoon boats. The main benefit of a pontoon hull is that it will give your boat a larger surface area, making them extremely stable. Hence, even an inexperienced individual can safely navigate a boat that has a pontoon hull. Pontoon hulls are built for boats that travel at slower speeds and short distances. So, if you intend to be spending a short distance with your boat and relaxing on the water, then a pontoon hull will be the ideal choice.
Tunnel Hull
Also known as tri-hulls, tunnel hulls are popular in fishing boats and racing boats. Their shape resembles an M. Tunnel hulls are quite stable and buoyant. Also, they provide decent volume below as well as adequate deck space above. As much as these types of hulls may make your ride quite rough, they will enable you to move at higher speeds safely. Tunnel hulls provided great stability when a boat is stationary. And these reasons may explain why you will find them mostly in fishing boats and water sports boats.
Multi-chine Hulls
These hulls are commonly found in catamarans. They are more of a blend between a V-shape hull and a pontoon hull. Multi-chine hulls provide outstanding stability. They can allow your boat to move at higher speeds, without any loss of stability. Maneuverability is their main disadvantage. As much as you can move at higher speeds with this type of hull, making a quick turn is almost impossible. And if you attempt to do so, you may end up capsizing the boat.
Round Bottom Hulls
Round bottom hulls are usually found in canoes and sailboats. They can allow your boat to move at higher speeds. The main disadvantage of round bottom hulls is that they are quite unstable, especially when there are heavy waves. Also, you need to be extremely careful when boarding, exiting or loading a boat with a round-bottom hull, since it may roll over.
Deep V Hull
Deep V hulls are designed for boats that travel at higher speeds. And that’s why you will mostly find them in powerboats. And while they will allow your boat to travel at higher speeds, stability won’t be an issue. With this type of hull, you can negotiate rough waters at higher speeds.
Wrapping It Up
Have you always wondered what the bottom of a boat is called? Well, the answer is a watercraft or hull. Different boats come with different types of hulls. Also, hulls are made of materials.
