Brief Boat and
Boating History
- by: Joel Williams
Boats can generally be
defined as watercraft that float on, and provide transport over
water. Boats such as the whaleboats were historically designed
to be operated from a ship in an offshore environment. The Navy
defines a boat as a craft small enough to be carried aboard
another vessel such as a ship. Boats may have government, marine
research, or other commercial usage, but any vessel, regardless
of size, used privately or in a non-commercial status is almost
certainly referred to as a boat.
The beginning notion of boats and boating happened when people
first used bamboo rafts and hollowed-out logs to travel across a
lake or down a stream. Since then boats have been a major part
of life.
Although wooden boats are widely used today, some of the first
modern boats were made of synthetic material such as fiberglass
and other man-made or hewn materials. Although, there are
numerous uses for boats today, most are used for pleasurable
purposes.
The word “boat” refers to a vessel that is buoyant, stable and
easily moves across water by some physical or mechanical mean.
Contrastingly, a ship is considered a large, ocean-going vessel
usually propelled by sails or engines.
The word “boat” comes from the German word, “bot”, which
originally referred to the goods or items delivered. Later this
became the definition for the craft used to make the delivery.
Thus we get the term “boat”.
There are many different watercraft that go by the name “boat.”
There are dozens of different names for boats around the world.
Here are a few types that might fall under the general category
of pleasure or recreation boats.
* Dinghy
These craft are usually 10 feet long or less, light and
portable. They are generally used close to shore, in small
harbor areas or on lakes.
* Johnboat
These smaller boats are used for many purposes, such as fishing,
hunting and coastal exploring. Most boats of this type are
propelled by a small outboard motor.
* Day Boats
This is a recreation boat for use on small lakes or for sailing
close to the shoreline of the ocean. They are generally less
than 20 feet in length.
* Fishing Boats
This category can include bass boats, general purpose pleasure
boats, trawler-style boats, sport fishing boats, combination
fishing and ski boats.
* Catamarans
This type of sailboat has two parallel hulls. It can be made of
logs or floats lashed together and are capable of traversing
long distances for pleasure boating and racing.
* Houseboats
These homes on the water boats are designed specifically for
living on the water. They provide all home amenities and are
more elaborate than pontoon boats or deck boats.
* Flatboats
A flatboat is a boat with a flat bottom and square ends used for
transporting freight on inland waterways. Many are also adapted
and used for sports such as fishing and hunting.
Joel is an avid boating enthusiast. If you're interested in
boats then one of the best ways for you to get into the boat of
your dreams is to check out his website at
http://ahoyboater.com for
relevant articles, boating tips and guides you can use to
skipper the boat of your choice for less money than you thought.
Get your free report while there on "Tips, Tricks and Resources
for Financing the Boat of Your Dreams!"
About The Author
Joel Williams is an avid boating enthusiast. Starting with a
hand made rowboat at the age of seven he has continued the quest
for bigger, better and nicer boats. Today he enjoys his 30'
Catalina yacht. He constantly looking at ways to upgrade with
minimal cash outlays. He has mastered the technique of boat
sales and regularly helps his friends trade their boats. His
resource filled website is
http://ahoyboater.com.