Boat Glossary of Terms

• aerate
  • To force air and oxygen into livewells to keep fish or bait alive. Also, to force air under the running surface of a hull.

• aft
  • The rear of the boat.

• aft cabin
  • Sleeping quarters beneath the aft or rear section of the boat (sometimes called a mid cabin when located beneath the helm).

• alee
  • The side of a boat or object away from the direction of the wind.

• aloft
  • Above deck in the rigging.

• aluminum fish boat
  • Small, lightweight, durable trailerboat constructed of aluminum that is either welded or riveted; generally used for freshwater fishing.

• amidships
  • Center section of a boat.

• anchorage
  • A location intended or suited for anchoring.

• anti-fouling paint
  • A special paint applied to a boat's hull to prevent marine growth.

• apparent wind
  • The direction and velocity of wind as felt in a moving boat.

• astern
  • The direction toward or beyond the stern.

• athwart
  • Perpendicular to a boat's centerline

• aweigh
  • An anchor that is off the bottom.

• axle ratio
  • The relationship of revolutions of a tow vehicle's axle to that of its driveshaft or transaxle, e.g. 2.74:1.