When does a boat become a ship?

[hellosailor]

The only "rules" I have found are the traditional ones that might be in Chapman's.

Over 100' long = ship. Under 100' long=boat.

Submarines, because they were always traditionally SMALL and usually carried aboard something else, remain BOATS. No matter how long they are. This is why the "Electric Boat Division" of GE builds nuclear submarines.

And, any vessel that is carried aboard another larger vessel, is a boat. Except perhaps for the "Admiral's Barge" which may be a boat--but is never referred to as such, even if hoist aboard a battleship.

Number of decks? Never heard of it. Ferries? Follow the 100-foot rule, unless they are converted submarines.

[S/V Antares]

Originally Posted by GreyRaven

When does a woman become a lady?

When she marries a man with a ship!

[SeaKing]

How about the good ship "LoliPop" wasn't that a boat?

[Vasco]

Has anybody ever abandoned boat?

[Alan Wheeler]

Has anyone ever seen the artistic sketches of the Swing under the tree. A series of sketches that show the swing from differetn point of views. Like, how the architect designed it, how the engineer built it, how the installer installed it and what the owner actually wanted.
I reckon we need an artistic person here, to come up with a series of sketches of a boat, what the designer designed(a mega yacht), what the builder built(totaly different), what the owner wanted(a modest little boat), what the broker see's(dollar signs) and what the potential buyer see's(a derilict money hungry whole in the water). Now that woudl be funny to see. I wish I was good a drawing.

[charley]

BC Ferry = sea bottom finder

It is funny you say that as a ferry in VA ran aground to keep from sinking.

[rsn48]

Charley, the Queen of the North sank a few years ago, that is what is being referred to... lol!

HelloSailer, you have better eyes than I do, I can't find it in Chapman's, at least the old one I have used the most, from 1964. But the rules refer to a motor vessel as something 65 feet or under. I have the most recent Chapman's as well, but can't locate it today....

[44'cruisingcat]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

The only "rules" I have found are the traditional ones that might be in Chapman's.

Over 100' long = ship. Under 100' long=boat.

Submarines, because they were always traditionally SMALL and usually carried aboard something else, remain BOATS. No matter how long they are. This is why the "Electric Boat Division" of GE builds nuclear submarines.

And, any vessel that is carried aboard another larger vessel, is a boat. Except perhaps for the "Admiral's Barge" which may be a boat--but is never referred to as such, even if hoist aboard a battleship.

Number of decks? Never heard of it. Ferries? Follow the 100-foot rule, unless they are converted submarines.

This is a ship then?

YouTube - Playstation in BIG WAVES

The number of decks "rule" (2 or more full length decks above the waterline) was told to me by my grandfather, who served in the Royal Navy from 1939 - 1954. It's about the only "rule" I have heard that actually makes sense, and "fits" in the majority of cases.

[Pblais]

When the dinghy is so large that it becomes a boat it's a ship. The military definition is not exactly the same as a civilian definition.

[Amfivena]

I always liked the distinction being that a 'ship' is designed/intended to live out its service life in the water, while a 'boat' is designed/intended to be hauled on deck or on-the-hard (as needed, seasonal, etc.).

Not a perfect definition, but works with a little imagination. A 20' CC that stays in year-round in FL is not a ship. But that type boat generally comes out in say New England or the Great Lakes.

[David M]

I don't think there is a true definition. The definition I have always liked best because it is so simple is, if a boat is too large to put aboard a ship, then it is a ship. Boats are launched from ships...ships are not launched from ships...right?

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by Amfivena

I always liked the distinction being that a 'ship' is designed/intended to live out its service life in the water, while a 'boat' is designed/intended to be hauled on deck or on-the-hard (as needed, seasonal, etc.).

Not a perfect definition, but works with a little imagination. A 20' CC that stays in year-round in FL is not a ship. But that type boat generally comes out in say New England or the Great Lakes.

I would have to lean towards this as a good base to differentiate between the two.

A ship is built on the land and once launched it never returns, as well can only be transported afloat. And, only in a dry dock would it ever leave the water. Where as, a boat can be hoisted out of the water and placed on land/truck or a ship and can be transported by external means............._/)

[delmarrey]

Just found out the US Coast Guard considers anything over 20 meters as a Ship!

[hellosailor]

The USCG can "consider" anything they'd like, but they are required to follow the definitions set in the USCode and other legislation. Unless there is a definition of "ship" in the USC or international convention, the USCG's "consideration" of it is just one more non-binding opinion, from one more organization, that changes their formal policy statements every time they get a new Commandant.

[MarkJ]

I kinda thought a ship could operate independently but a boat could not.
I.e a naval ship can do an independent task of long duration such as a long range patrol. Whereas a boat, like a patrol boat can only operate within a flotilla or in a limited manner where it can be resupplied.

I feel a yacht when operating close to shore and without supplies to go far would be a boat, but when it decides to hook off and do a voyage it would be a ship.

I really don't mind if someone calls their boat a boat, ship or tub



Mark