Boat Builders Key Terms

Understand common terms and concepts for boat builders

By Terri Deno

In order to better understand what goes into building a boat, a boat builder should learn some common terms, including what types of materials boats can be made from, the different parts of a boat's construction and how it all fits together. Boat builders will then understand how to create a sports boat, commercial fishing boat or luxury yacht. Some terms work for all type of boats, while other concepts are more specific to building boats from wood.

Ballast

A ballast is a type of weight added to the boat in order to increase the stability of the boat in the water, or bring the boat straight in its designed lines. A ballast can be added to the internal or external side of the hull.
Try: Kasten Marine Design offers information on beam and ballast issues in a variety of boat types. Wake-Boarding offers information on putting ballast in a boat.

Scupper

A scupper is a pipe or tube added to a boat for draining water overboard. This pipe is usually installed on the deck and through the boat hull. Scuppers are found on all types of boats and water vehicles to keep water out.
Try: Our Boat offers installation instructions for an auxiliary scupper on a Catalina 22.

Transom

A transom is any of a number of transverse beams on a wooden boat. The transom is attached to the sternpost of the ship to form a portion of the stern. On a steel ship, the transom is the outward structural components, including the floor, beam and frame of the sternpost.
Try: Boat Builder Central offers diagrams and other information on how to repair and replace the transom, sole or stringer on a boat.

King plank

A king plank is the center plank on the deck of a wooden boat, or the center plank of a deck constructed from wood.
Try: Fantasia 35 offers information on removing and replacing a wood deck.

Weathering

Weathering is a common term used for wood that is exposed to natural elements. In nautical terms, weathering refers to the discoloration and disintegration of the surface of a wood deck or wood boat. This process is caused by a number of factors, including sun, dust, sand and the moisture content of the wood at any given time.
Try: Boat Wood Finishing offers instructions on how to prepare and finish wood surfaces on boat decks and other exposed wood areas.

Stopwater

Stopwater (or stop-water) refers to a constructed joint or device used to prevent water from seeping into the hull. Stopwater can be constructed from a softwood dowel and inserted into a scarf, lap or butt joint to prevent the seepage.
Try: Eastern Yachts offers photographs of the restoration process of a yacht, which includes adding a new stopwater by the stern post.