Boat - Definition and Overview

A boat, like a ship, is a buoyant vessel designed for the purpose of transporting people and possibly goods across water. A boat is usually smaller than a ship. Some boats are commonly carried by a ship or on land using trailers.

A boat consists of one or more buoyancy structures called hulls and some system of propulsion, such as, oars, paddles, a setting pole, a sail or a motor.

Indonesian transport on Seram, Maluku

Tourist Boat in Greece

Boat moored to pier on the river

Unusual types of boats

Bathtub racing on a pond in Leipzig, Germany in 2003

Unsuitable floating vehicles have been used for sports purposes as well. For example, the Bathtub Boat is used in "bathtub races" in many cities, although it originated in Nanaimo, BC, Canada.

History

• logboat
• skinboat
• Raft
• Sailboat
  • Egypt, 3500 BC
  • Chinese Junk, 8th century
  • Norse, 9th century
• Steamboat (1777)
• Ironclad (1859-1862)
• Steel Ships (1880s)

External Links

• The Rise and Fall of 15th Century Chinese Seapower (http://www.cronab.demon.co.uk/china.htm)
• Boating Directory (http://www.boatingdir.com)

See also

• Sport
• Offshore powerboat racing
• Jet sprint boat racing
• Jet boat
• Boat building