Tennessee Boating License Study Guide WITH
COMPLETE SOLUTION NEW!! 2025/2026
bow
Front of a vessel
stern
Rear of a vessel
starboard
Right side of a vessel
port
Left side of a vessel
hull
Body of a vessel
gunwale
Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced "gunnel")
cleat
Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
propeller
Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
beam
Maximum width of a vessel
freeboard
Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
draft
Depth of water needed to float a vessel
keel
, Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the
water
AD
personal watercraft
A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is designed
to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than
inside the vessel
Displacement Mode
A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a
displacement hull.
Plowing Mode:
As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and
throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mode
Planing Mode:
Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the
water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.
Flat Bottom Hull
This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is good for fishing in small lakes and rivers, but rides
roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull
This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat bottom hull in rough water, but takes more
power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May roll or bank in sharp turns.
Round Bottom Hull
This typical displacement hull moves easily through the water even at slow speeds, but has a
tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi-Hull
Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull has greater stability because of its wide
beam, but needs a large area when turning.
length overall
COMPLETE SOLUTION NEW!! 2025/2026
bow
Front of a vessel
stern
Rear of a vessel
starboard
Right side of a vessel
port
Left side of a vessel
hull
Body of a vessel
gunwale
Upper edge of vessel's side (generally pronounced "gunnel")
cleat
Metal fitting on which a rope can be fastened
propeller
Rotates and powers a boat forward or backward
beam
Maximum width of a vessel
freeboard
Distance from water to lowest point of the boat where water could come on board
draft
Depth of water needed to float a vessel
keel
, Main centerline (backbone) of a vessel or the extension of hull that increases stability in the
water
AD
personal watercraft
A small vessel that uses an inboard jet drive as its primary source of propulsion, and is designed
to be operated by a person or persons sitting, standing, or kneeling on the vessel rather than
inside the vessel
Displacement Mode
A planing hull, when operated at very slow speeds, will cut through the water like a
displacement hull.
Plowing Mode:
As speed increases, a planing hull will have a raised bow, reducing the operator's vision and
throwing a very large wake. Avoid maintaining a speed that puts your boat in plowing mode
Planing Mode:
Your boat is in planing mode when enough power is applied so that the hull glides on top of the
water. Different boats reach planing mode at different speeds.
Flat Bottom Hull
This planing hull has a shallow draft, which is good for fishing in small lakes and rivers, but rides
roughly in choppy waters.
Deep Vee Hull
This planing hull gives a smoother ride than a flat bottom hull in rough water, but takes more
power to move at the same speed as flat bottom hulls. May roll or bank in sharp turns.
Round Bottom Hull
This typical displacement hull moves easily through the water even at slow speeds, but has a
tendency to roll unless it has a deep keel or stabilizers.
Multi-Hull
Another example of a displacement hull, the multi-hull has greater stability because of its wide
beam, but needs a large area when turning.
length overall
