Editing Boat (section)

==Terminology==
{{further|Glossary of nautical terms}}
The [[hull (watercraft)|hull]] is the main, and in some cases only, structural component of a boat.  It provides both capacity and [[buoyancy]]. The [[keel]] is a boat's "backbone", a lengthwise structural member to which the perpendicular frames are fixed. On some boats, a [[deck (ship)|deck]] covers the hull, in part or whole. While a [[ship]] often has several decks, a boat is unlikely to have more than one. Above the deck are often [[Lifeline (safety)|lifelines]] connected to [[stanchion]]s, [[Bulwark (nautical)|bulwark]]s perhaps topped by [[Gunnel (ship element)|gunnel]]s, or some combination of the two. A [[cabin (ship)|cabin]] may protrude above the deck forward, aft, along the centerline, or cover much of the length of the boat. Vertical structures dividing the internal spaces are known as [[bulkhead (partition)|bulkhead]]s.

The forward end of a boat is called the [[bow (ship)|bow]], the aft end the [[stern]]. Facing forward the right side is referred to as [[starboard]] and the left side as [[Port and starboard|port]].