aft
at, near or toward the stern; opposite of "fore"
aground
touching bottom
ahead
in the direction of the vessel's bow
bail
to remove water from a boat either by pump or bailer
beam
greatest width of a boat
bilge
the lower part of a boat's hull
bow
the most forward part of a vessel
buoy
a floating signpost showing channels, prohibited areas on the water, or the location of rocks and other obstructions
capacity plate
gives the maximum safe weight capacity (people, gear, and motor) and horsepower rating
capsize
to turn over; to turn bottom side up
Certificate of Number (Registration)
the certificate issued annually by the County Treasurer to the owner of a watercraft which must be registered
Certificate of Ownership (Title)
the certificate issued by the Department of Justice identifying the owner of a motorboat or sailboat 12 feet in length or longer
cleat
a piece of wood or metal with projecting ends to which lines are tied
cowls
hooded openings used for ventilation
draft
the depth of the boat below the water line
fenders
objects placed along the side of the boat to protect the hull from damage
fore
towards the bow; opposite of "aft"
freeboard
the height of the boat above the water
give-way vessel
the vessel that does not have the right of way in a crossing or overtaking situation; it is required to take early and substantial action to keep well away from other vessels by stopping, slowing down, or changing course
gunwale
the upper edge of the vessel's side (pronounced "gunnel")
hull
the body of the vessel
Hull Identification Number (HIN)
a unique 12-digit number assigned by the manufacturer to vessels built after 1972; typically found on the upper right side of the transom
identifying number
the boat number set forth in the Certificate of Number and properly displayed on the vessel's bow; for example, "MT-4809-AB"
keel
the boat's backbone, running along the center lengthwise at the bottom of the hull
lanyard
used on PWC and some powerboats, a short cord that attaches the ignition safety switch to the operator's wrist or life jacket
launch
to move a boat into the water from land
line
all ropes used on a boat
moor
to keep a vessel in place by setting anchor or tying the vessel to a fixed object or mooring bouy
motorboat
any vessel, including a canoe, kayak, rubber raft or pontoon, propelled by any machinery, motor or engine of any description, whether or not such machinery, motor or engine is the principal source of propulsion. The term includes boats temporarily equipped with detachable motors or engines.
operate
to navigate or otherwise use a motorboat or vessel
operator
the person who navigates, drives, or is otherwise in immediate control of a motorboat or vessel
personal floatation device (PFD)
a lifesaving device designed to keep your head above water; such as a life jacket, life vest, bouyant cushion, or life preserver ring
personal watercraft (PWC)
vessels that use a motor or engine to power a water jet pump as the primary source of propulsion and that is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel
port
the left side of a vessel as you look forward
registration decal
a serially numbered registration sticker, referred to as the permanent decal, issued by the County Treasurer and displayed as required by law
rules of the road
the nautical traffic rules to avoid collisions on the water
scope
the length of the anchor line; a 7:1 scope means the length of the anchor line from the boat to the anchor is seven times the depth of the water
stand-on vessel
the vessel that has the right of way in a crossing or overtaking situation; it must maintain its course and speed unless it becomes apparent that the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action
starboard
the right side of a vessel as you look forward
stern
the rear or back of the boat
transom
the vertical surface at the back of the hull
validation decals
the serially numbered validation stickers issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and displayed as required by law
vessel
every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water; NOT included in this definition are inner tribes, float tubes (belly boats), air mattresses and sailboards when used without mechanical propulsion
wake
path of disturbed water left behind a moving vessel; "no wake" speed means there is no "white" water in the track or path of the vessel or created in waves immediate to the vessel