Nautical Terms- When is it proper use?

[DeepCMark58A]

I have been thinking about this lately not sure why my brain revisits it but I guess I am curious. I don't use terms like port or starboard or any other nautical terms when talking about boating. Most don't but I have spend a fair amount of time aboard larger craft 35-60 footers moving them from Pickwick in TN to the gulf side of Florida. I always felt that if you were not on a boat that required communication with the captain or crew member or over the radio with bridges and other craft that using the nautical terms is overboard and perhaps just a bit pretentious. What are others thoughts?

 

[thumpar]

I think some of it has to do with who you are talking to and what you are referring to. When working on an engine I think using the terms is a must. If I am on the boat with newbies I don't used the terms.

 

[jbcurt00]

IMO, its about communication between the parties. As long as both know what your talking about, I dont think it matters much, but would defer to the owner/captain of the boat's choices.

When on the water, I've been w groups that used port, starboard and etc, and aboard boats whose owners dont. None of them bigger then a 25 or 26ft Marinette cruiser.

But in environment like this forum or the other boat forums I frequent, again, IMO its helpful to use 'proper' terms as it eases commmunication.

If you say theres xyz problem along the right side of the boat, I dont know which side as you may be looking forward from the stern or aft from the bow. If you said port I'd know for sure where you were talking about.

The 1 exception has been that most posters on most of the forums I use refer to the standing surface of the boat as a deck rather then a sole. I associate sole w sailboats and personally only use that term when talking about sailboats. And a bow deck or bow cover both refer to a closed bow boats front deck.

I also think its important to use proper terms so that they remain in the public vernacular. Rather then what might be easier using front, back or 'that part at the back where the motor hangs or sticks out'.

But pretentious, not IMO.

If on a commercial vessel or in navigatable waters w large boat traffic, absolutely use the right terms. However, if you dont typically use the correct terms, will you know and use them when you need too?

Land ho

 

[jrttoday]

when I laugh, L O L comes outta my mouth!

 

[NYBo]

The only one I use when not actually boating or discussing things on this forum is "the head".

 

[jrttoday]

When working on an engine I think using the terms is a must.

Soooooooo, I was doing some modifications on my outboard this afternoon, and I asked myself, "should I port the starboard side first?" :laugh:

 

[BWR1953]

Soooooooo, I was doing some modifications on my outboard this afternoon, and I asked myself, "should I port the starboard side first?" :laugh:

Nah man, ya gotta port the head first!!! :rofl: ound:

 

[roscoe]

I used SPAR varnish on the head in our outhouse.

 

[jrttoday]

Nah man, ya gotta port the head first!!! :rofl: ound:

hmmmmmmm..... you mean I'm upside down????? lol
sorry, a tad slow this evening! port the head first? to facilitate flushing??? :facepalm: :lol:

 

[Swoosh3]

ETAI tend to (try) to use "port" for left "aft" for back, etc. when around other boaters, or to better that...others that own boats.
Also whenever I have anyone on board so as they can learn and maybe adopt the "language" so it never gets lost.

I also find it more fun to use proper nautical terminology while boating.

 

[JoLin]

If you say theres xyz problem along the right side of the boat, I dont know which side as you may be looking forward from the stern or aft from the bow. If you said port I'd know for sure where you were talking about.

The 1 exception has been that most posters on most of the forums I use refer to the standing surface of the boat as a deck rather then a sole. I associate sole w sailboats and personally only use that term when talking about sailboats. And a bow deck or bow cover both refer to a closed bow boats front deck.

I also think its important to use proper terms so that they remain in the public vernacular. Rather then what might be easier using front, back or 'that part at the back where the motor hangs or sticks out'.

But pretentious, not IMO.

If on a commercial vessel or in navigatable waters w large boat traffic, absolutely use the right terms. However, if you dont typically use the correct terms, will you know and use them when you need too?

Land ho

My view, too. I've taken great pains to educate the wife on bow, stern, port, starboard. 'Left' and 'Right' are perceived according to the direction one is facing- Port and Starboard never change. My Power Squadron friends know the terminology and use it. I never thought of it as pretentious at all. Things have a name and using that name reduces confusion.

I will admit, though, not many people outside our group know what a 'hockle' is. :joyous:

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I need to clarify, I do not think others that use it are pretentious I was thinking I would sound pretentious if I used it. Big difference in moving a big floating RV vs motoring in a 15 foot runabout.

 

[gm280]

I have to admit, I forced myself to learn and use the "proper" terms posting on these forums to help convey my questions easier. But I also know that I don't know but the general basic names for such things. The more in depth terms I have to look up. But fortunately, not too many get that involved into the more interesting or deeper infrequently used terms. JMHO!

 

[DeepCMark58A]

I also think that calling my boat a vintage port side drive runabout sounds much more sophisticated than an old tin left hand drive fishing boat.

 

[jbcurt00]

Vintage port side helm runabout.....

But only if you're wearing your yacht club blue blazer

White captain's hat optional

 

[sphelps]

I asked the Admiral if she knew which was port and starboard .... She asked me what was the point to my question .... I said no point just wondering if you knew ...
She said the port side was the place your dinner gets made ... :yield:

 

[GA_Boater]

She's absolutely right! Is she in the galley?

 

[sphelps]

She's absolutely right! Is she in the galley?

Yep thank goodness !

 

[gm280]

I actually wonder where some of these nautical terms really originated from? Maybe I should research them to see. :noidea:

 

[DeepCMark58A]

No Title

I may have to start calling her a vintage port side helm runabout looking like this