fun facts about the yacht

Your source for the latest news on yachts, boats and more. Read through our articles to find out how to compare boats and find the right fit for you!

10 interesting fun facts about boats that you did not know

Aug 05, 2020

less than a min

10 interesting fun facts about boats that you did not know

Boats are very interesting vessels. Here are some fun facts about boats that you might not have heard about.

Good luck and back luck omens are different on a boat than on dry land. For instance, whistling on a boat is expected to bring upon strong winds and is therefore considered bad luck. Bananas on a boat are also seen as bad luck especially on fishing boats. It is thought that fish do not bite on a hook if there are bananas close by. Finding a cat on a boat on the other hand is considered good luck, even if it is a black cat. Cats eat rats and keep the boat clean and safe.
The youngest person to sail around the world is Laura Dekker. She is a 14-year old that went off to sail around the world in 2012 and finished her trip 518 days later when she was 16.
A party yacht has tripped over once as all the passengers moved to one side to have a better look at a nudist beach in Texas.
A 2004 study has confirmed that joining a cruise ship after retirement is cheaper than retiring to a retirement home.
The difference between a boat and a ship lies in its weight. If a vessel is over 500 tones then it is called a ship. A ship can also carry a boat.
The first ship to reach America only had 40 people on board, including Christopher Columbus. It was the size of a bus and it did not exceed 70 feet.
According to evidence found by several archeologists, boats have been used over 900.000 years ago.
Americans own about 18 million boats today. Some of them are used for recreational purposes while others are commercial boats.
Boats have a life expectancy. After that, they are not deemed safe or stable anymore. Usually, cargo ships that sail in the oceans can have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years. Sailboats are meant to be used for 30-40 years even if they are made of softer materials such as plywood or fiberglass.
Vasa is a Swedish warship that is known for sinking in 1628 and being recovered in 1961. After spending centuries in the water, this boat was still completely intact and in good shape. It is actually the only vessel left from the 17th century. This boat now lies in the Vasa Museum of Stockholm which was built as a tribute to this ship. It is now one of Sweden’s most popular attractions. It receives almost 30 million tourists.

Explore TheBoatAPP to learn more interesting information about boats and their features. Discover how to maintain, manage, and preserve a boat through the complete database of TheBoatAPP. Become a boat master in no time!

You might like these too

Electric and Hybrid Boats – The Future of Sailing lg ...

Aug 23, 2022

Boat navigation light types and functions lg ...

How Long does it Take to Sail Around the World lg ...

Oct 04, 2021

What are some Fun Things to Bring on a Boat lg ...

Oct 01, 2021

The Proper Term for the Forward End of a Boat lg ...

Sep 30, 2021

Regular Boat Maintenance Tasks You Should Always Do lg ...

Sep 17, 2021

Privacy Policies

7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn’t Know About

19th November 2022 12th December 2022

If you’re in the market for a luxury yacht, you might be interested to learn some interesting facts about these vessels. Did you know that yachts can come in all shapes and sizes? Or that they can be used for more than just recreation? In this blog post, we will share seven interesting facts about yachts that you may not have known before. Keep reading to learn more!

7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn't Know About

1. Yachts can come in all shapes and sizes

No two yachts are alike! Yachts can range in size from just a few feet long to over 400 feet long. And, they come in all sorts of shapes and designs. Some yachts are sleek and modern, while others are more traditional in style. There is sure to be a yacht out there that is perfect for you. For example, Sunseeker yachts are known for their modern and sleek designs, while Riva yachts are known for their classic and elegant style.

2. Yachts can be used for more than recreation

While many people think of yachts as simply recreational vehicles , they can actually be used for a variety of purposes. For instance, some business owners use yachts as floating office space or as a place to entertain clients. Additionally, many celebrities and other public figures use yachts as a way to escape the paparazzi and enjoy some privacy. And, of course, yachts can also be used for rescue missions and other important tasks.

3. There are companies specializing in transporting Yachts

While you may think that transporting a yacht would be a difficult and expensive task, there are actually companies specializing in yacht transport. According to the team at Cross Chartering Yacht Transport , these companies have the experience and the equipment necessary to safely transport your yacht to its destination. Additionally, many of these companies offer door-to-door service, so you don’t have to worry about any of the logistics.

4. Yachts can be powered by a variety of methods

Yachts can be powered by gas or diesel engines a 12v100ah LiFePO4 battery or they can be solar-powered. Solar-powered yachts are becoming increasingly popular, as they are more environmentally friendly than traditional gas or diesel engines. Additionally, solar power is often cheaper than other forms of energy, so it can save you money in the long run. For instance, the Eco yacht by Aqua is a solar-powered vessel that can travel up to 7 knots without using any fossil fuels.

5. Yachts require a lot of maintenance

Owning a yacht is a lot of work! These vessels require regular maintenance and upkeep. For instance, you will need to clean the hull and deck, as well as the interior of the yacht. Additionally, you will need to service the engines and other mechanical components on a regular basis. Of course, you can always hire someone to do all of this work for you, but it is important to be aware that it is a lot of work nonetheless. For instance, the team at Ocean Alexander Yacht Maintenance provides full-service yacht care, so you can rest assured that your vessel is in good hands.

6. Yachts can be a great investment

If you’re looking for a solid investment, you may want to consider purchasing a yacht. While the initial cost of a yacht can be quite high, these vessels often appreciate value over time. Additionally, if you rent out your yacht when you’re not using it, you can generate some extra income. Just be sure to do your research before making any decisions, as there are a lot of factors to consider when purchasing a yacht. For instance, you’ll need to decide what size and type of yacht you want, as well as where you’re going to keep it.

7. There are many different types of yachts

There are several different types of yachts, including motor yachts, sailing yachts, catamarans, and more. Each type of yacht has its own unique features and benefits. For instance, motor yachts are typically faster than sailing yachts, but they can be more expensive to operate. Sailing yachts, on the other hand, are typically slower than motor yachts but can be cheaper to operate. Ultimately, the type of yacht you choose should depend on your specific needs and preferences.

We hope you found these seven facts about yachts interesting! As you can see, there is a lot to learn about these vessels. If you’re considering purchasing a yacht, be sure to do your research so that you can find the perfect one for you. And, if you’re not in the market for a yacht, we hope you now have a better understanding of these fascinating vessels.

Privacy Overview

25 Interesting Facts About Sailing You Probably Don't Know

Sailing is a very popular sport, and it has had a large influence on modern life. I've came across lots of interesting facts about sailing, and list them here.

With such a rich history there are many interesting stories to tell. It has shaped our language and the way we see the world today. Our society and free trade is built on the tradition of sailing.

So in this post I've listed all sorts of interesting sailing facts that I came across while researching the articles on this website. Most of them are beyond the obvious. Surely, the trade winds are named after the trade they facilitate? No, it's actually the other way around.

1. sailboats are slow (but efficient), 2. trade is named after the trade winds, not the other way around, 3. sailing gives you access to places that are off-limits to tourists, 4. the ideal wind speed for sailing is between 8-12 knots, 5. historical sailboats are often misrepresented, 6. you can operate a 100' sailboat alone, 7. the youngest person to circumnavigate the world was 16-year old laura dekker, 8. feeling blue is originally a sailing term, 9. one of the best laser radial sailors is from the netherlands, 10. sailing has been a part of the olympics from 1896 onwards, 11. 'sonofagun' actually refers to your birthplace, 12. the average salinity of oceans is 3.5% - but it varies greatly, 13. the world-record sailing speed is 65.45 knots (75 mph), 14. you can sail for nearly 22,229 miles in a straight line, 15. the first person to circumnavigate the world alone was joshua slocum (1898), 16. the new york yacht club has one of the longest winning streaks in sports history, 17. the largest sailing yacht in the world is nearly 470' or 143 m long - or not, 18. sailing around the world westward is more difficult than eastward, 19. 'he's a loose cannon' ..., 20. the most popular sail rig is based off a moorish lateen rig, 21. the only 5-masted tall ship sunk because of its speed, 22. the smallest boat to sail around the world was 21 feet, 23. sailboats can sail faster than the speed of the wind, 24. the sailing flags originate from the dutch war efforts against the british, 25. the mightiest pirate was a female chinese prostitute.

The average sailboat cruises at about 4-6 knots, (4-7 mph or 7-11 km/h) and has a top speed of 9 knots (10 mph or 17 km/h). It's just not that fast. That isn't to say there aren't any quick boats: they can be incredibly fast. Especially the multihulls, which have to displace a lot less water. They can go up to 50 knots (almost 60 mph or 93 km/h).

Most sailboats are slow is because they are small (under 20') - and the hull speed is directly related to the length of the boat. Longer sailboats are faster.

So how is a sailboat able to go around the world in under 75 days? Well, they go on all day and night. Also, traveling on water allows you to go in straight lines more often than on land.

Want to know how far a sailboat can sail in a day ? Check out my other article on the average sailing distance in different conditions (new tab).

Our ancestors found that the Atlantic had very reliable wind roads. These roads were called trade winds, trade being the Middle English word for 'track' or 'path'. The trade winds were so important for the English fleet and economy that the name 'trade' became generally accepted to mean (foreign) commerce'.

If you want to learn how the trade winds work , I recommend to read my post on the Atlantic Crossing .

Did you know that there are a lot of small island that are off-limits to tourists? Some of these islands are real hidden gems, with exotic species, wonderful landscape, and authentic villages. There are no flights or cruises going there - but you can get there by boat.

It can be quite the experience to sign in to the island in a 40-year old ledger, with under 200 names in there.

Small tea house on cliff in bay in blue ocean

The easiest wind to maneuver small and mid-sized boats is between 8-12 knots, while still being able to reach good speeds.

Anything between 5-8 knots is ideal for beginners that are trying to learn to sail. Anything under 5 knots gets tediously slow.

If you like to learn more about wind speeds, I really go into detail in my previous post Ideal Wind Speed for Sailing .

When we think of old skool sailboats (of the late Middle Ages for example), we often thing of large galleons and first rates. However, due to a flaw in the design of the hull, the ship builders weren't able to build large ships until the Renaissance.

The extended beams, running across the entire length of the ship, were too weak, so they would rot out. Large experimental ships would find an early sea grave when they split into two and sunk.

So the huge floating multi-level buildings with 100 cannons only started to be made in the Napoleonic era, when they figured out you could use cross beams to reinforce the hull.

People often ask me what the biggest boat is they can operate. You can actually operate a 100' sailboat by yourself - if you rig it the right way.

World-record holder François Gabart operated the 100-foot Trimaran MACIF by himself. However, it's not easy and you have to be experienced and mentally tough. Most sailors seem to stay under 35 foot.

Sailing alone is also called short-handed sailing, and you need a short-hand sailing rig. Typically this means lot's of automated systems, and all the sheets running to your cockpit, allowing you to operate the sails while steering at the same time.

The hardest part of sailing by yourself may actually be the docking. Some marinas even offer a special service to help you with that, lending a helping hand. If you are inclined to sail alone (or don't have any friends), you should definitely consider switching to a marina that provides this service.

Sailing a bigger boat does have its advantages . They are more stable, for example. Find out all about boat size for single sailors in What’s the Largest Boat One Person Can Operate? (new tab)

16-year old Laura Dekker (NED) is the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the world solo, after Jessica Watson (AUS) did it just before her 17th birthday. Dekker was 16 and 123 days.

She almost didn't make it because of interference of the Dutch government, who didn't think it was a good idea for a teenager to sail the world. She proved them wrong in all sorts of ways.

The youngest circumnavigation isn't recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records, because they don't want to encourage 14-year olds to sail around the world alone.

If a ship lost its captain during a voyage, the sailors would sail blue flags, indicating their loss. So if you're feeling blue, you're actually referring to the blue flags that used to sign the ship's crew is in mourning.

Marit Bouwmeester is one of the most successful laser radial sailors in the world. She's a 4-time world champion and 1-time Olympic champion (2011, 2014, 2016, 2017), and came in second in 2010, 2012, 2015. She's recently won the World Cup in Enoshima, Japan.

Why does this matter? Well, she's from my neighborhood, and a friend of mine is one of her BFFs, which is pretty cool.

Sailing has been a part of all modern Olympic games, except for the 1904 Summer Games, which were held in Louisiana.

This makes it one of the longest running Olympic disciplines around. So if people ask you: 'is sailing a sport?', simply answer with: 'the International Olympic Committee has believed it to be, for over 120 years'.

It was a gender-mixed discipline for the most part, until 1988, making it one of the only sports where women and man join in open competition.

Great Britain currently holds the most Olympic medals.

In lesser days, women needed to be smuggled onboard. Then, when the passage took longer than expected, they naturally needed to give birth every now and then. On sea, women typically gave birth between the cannons on the gundeck. If the child wasn't claimed by one of passengers or sailors, it was entered in the ship's log as being the 'sonofagun'.

While 3.5% is the average, some seas are just very, very salty. Saline water - aka saltwater - increases metal and aluminum corrosion, so the saltier the sea, the more maintenance you'll need to do.

The Mediterranean is the saltiest sea on Earth, at roughly 3.8% salinity. The Southern Ocean and the Northern Pacific are among the least saline: 3.4% and 3.3%. The Caribbean are quite saline: between 3.6 - 3.7%.

So better sail to the poles, and stay away from the Mediterranean or Caribbean: your boat will last a lot longer. (I know, it's the worst advice.)

If you want to know more about saltwater sailing , for example how to prepare your boat, I encourage you to check out my post on saltwater boats here (new tab).

Paul Larsen (AUS) is the fastest sailor of all time. He holds the world-record sailing speed for 500 meters (also called outright), and the record for fastest nautical mile.

Outright: 65.45 knots, which equals 121.1 km/h or 75.2 mph
Nautical mile: 55.32 knots, which equals 102.45 km/h or 63.66 mph
Fastest 24-hour: Pascal Bidégorry, 908 nm at 37.84 knots, which equals 70 km/h or 43.55 mph

Ok, it's mostly a theory of amateur cartographer David Cooke, who discovered the Cook Passage in 2015. It's a straight line running around the Earth from Port Renfrew, B.C to Quebec, without ever touching land. While critics claim it's impossible to navigate in a perfect straight line, it doesn't really matter. It's a cool theory, and it's the longest you can (theoretically) sail straight without touching land.

Making the world again a little smaller, Joshua Slocum was the first man to sail around the world by himself in 1898.

It took the world 69 years to catch up: the second attempt was by Sir Francis Chichester in 1967.

Slocum, a Nova-Scotian-born American, wrote a book about his journey in 1900, Sailing Alone Around the World, which became an international best-seller.

If you're interested, you can get his book for free on the Gutenberg project here .

The New York Yacht Club won the America's Cup 25 times for 132 years in a row, from 1851 to 1983. In 1987 challenger Royal Perth Yacht Club ended the streak. Since then, the NYYC hasn't won the cup a single time.

World Cup wins:

United States New York Yacht Club: 25
New Zealand Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron: 3
United States San Diego Yacht Club: 3
Switzerland Société Nautique de Genève: 2
United States Golden Gate Yacht Club: 2
Australia Royal Perth Yacht Club: 1

It's called Sailing Yacht A. BUT: it's actually classified as a sail-assisted motor yacht. It has however three huge Bermuda-rigged masts.

Some say Yacht A isn't technically speaking a sailing yacht. I agree. The second largest yacht is actually the longest REAL sailing yacht. Meet the Black Pearl . She truly is a great yacht, designed to cross oceans under just sail power. At 348' (106 m) it's gigantic, and it's one of the most advanced yachts in the world.

It's made in the Netherlands (I'm secretly promoting the Netherlands here), at the Oceanco shipyard.

So which of these, do you reckon, is the largest?

Most word-record contenders choose to sail eastward, thanks to the stronger and more predictable winds and currents eastward on the southern hemisphere. There are just 5 world records using the westward route, and since 2010 no one set a record by taking a right turn.

In comparison, more than 20 records have been set taking the eastward route.

The fastest eastward circumnavigation: 40 days and 23 hours
The fastest westaward circumnavigation: 122 days and 14 hours

However, most recreational skippers tend to sail westward on the trade winds, because they prefer the tropical seas.

Most people need around 3.5 years to sail around the world . Learn more on the routes and different paces in my article How Long Does it Take to Sail Around the World? (new tab)

... is originally a sailing term. The cannons on a ship could weigh up to 3,400 pounds (or 1,500 kg). You can imagine that a loose one could do quite the damage. So loose cannons are dangerous - and should be avoided at all cost. Hence the saying.

The Bermuda sloop is a fore-and-aft single-masted sailboat rig that was developed in the 17th century by a Dutch-born Bermudian. It was inspired by the Moorish lateen rig. They got to know this rig in the Spanish-Dutch independence war, where the Spanish used the boats.

It replaced the gaff rig thanks to it's superior maneuverability.

Want to know everything about sail types and rigs? I've written a killer guide on it, explaining precisely what kind of sail you're dealing with, and what it's used for. I think it's a great post, one of the best on this blog actually. Read it here (new tab).

In 1902, the first ever full-rigged five master was built: the Preußen. It was the only 5-masted full-rigged ship ever built, until the Swedish sail cruise liner Royal Clipper was launched in 2000.

(To be clear: there were other five masters, but none of them was a tall ship.)

It sailed between Germany and Chile and was capable of transporting large amounts of goods at high speeds. Its hull length was 433' (132 m). She carried 47 sails (which is a lot).

In 1910, just 8 years after her launch, she sunk in the English Channel due to damage from a collision with a small cross-channel steamer, 'Brighton'. The Brighton underestimated Preußens speed, at 16 knots.

Legend has it the skipper said: "a sailboat can't go that fast" - after which the two collided.

She's an impressive sight:

Black and white image of five masted tall ship

Alessandro Di Benedetto, who is also called the Crazy Italian, has a special world record on his name. He circumnavigated the world in the smallest sailboat: a 21' (6.5 m). It took him 268 days and 19 hours, which is not very fast.

But it's an impressive accomplishment, especially seen the fact that he's been dismasted around Cape Horn. To deal with his dismating, he made a junk rig that got him all the way back to France, finishing his world-record attempt successfully.

Most boats can't go faster than the speed of the wind. But some racing yachts and most multihulls can. The reason is two-fold.

The reason it's possible is that boats generate their own wind, allowing them to 'surf their own wave' so to speak, increasing their speed.

Secondly, keelboats have a displacement hull: they push the water forward, which means they have to deal with resistance, and this resistance increases when the speed increases.

But this isn't a problem with the rise of multihulls. Multihulls use flat beds instead of a keel, which means the hulls are floating on top of the water surface. This allows them to go much faster, since they don't have to deal with water resistance.

Want to know how to calculate the hull speed of any boat ? If you're like me and like to nerd out about these kinds of things, I definitely recommend to go check out my article on the average speed of sailboats (opens in new tab).

During the Anglo-Dutch wars (1652-1674) the British wanted to replace the Dutch as the dominant naval power. The Dutch admiral De Ruyter and Grand Pensionary DeWitt came up with a flag signaling system to outmaneuver the British. It was a success.

To be fair, this is more of fun trivial knowledge, and not so much a sailing fact. Consider it a bonus fact:

Ching Shih (which literally means 'widow of Zheng') was the mightiest pirate that ever lived. She had over 300 junks under her command. The ships were manned by between 20,000 - 40,000 men, women, and children. She fought major naval powers, such as the British Empire, Portuguese, and the Qing dynasty.

She's without doubt the most successful pirate ever. Unlike many others, she wasn't executed, but actually died as a free woman in her own home. Quite the story.

Pinterest image for 25 Interesting Facts About Sailing You Probably Don't Know

read your 25 facts. excellent, interesting, short to the point, really unknown and enlightning facts that made me curious and search more info. thanks!

Shawn Buckles

Hi Miki, thanks and great to hear you’ve enjoyed the article. You’re welcome!

Wayne Hughes

Hi Miki, Tonight we have our local small sailing club Annual Prizegiving - I am the MC - Sincere Thanks for your research and article as they will give interesting facts to be sprinkled throughout the evening.

Narrabeen Lakes Sailing Club - Sydney, Australia - 115 years old this year

Ray Bradley

Very interesting reading,with some humour thrown in. Thankyou

I JUST WANTED TO SAY I WAS DOING MY HOMEWORK AND I was sooo happy to find out I got good grades thank to this website I give it a 👍🏻

You may also like, 13 reasons why sailing is better than powerboating.

Want to know why sailing trumps powerboating? In this article I'll give you 13 clear-cut reasons why it's the case - and why I'll never go back.

Coastline filled with colorful houses, with a small lighthouse and sailing yachts offshore and a mountain in the back

9 Practical Tips & Locations for Sailing the Mediterranean

Own your first boat within a year on any budget.

A sailboat doesn't have to be expensive if you know what you're doing. If you want to learn how to make your sailing dream reality within a year, leave your email and I'll send you free updates . I don't like spam - I will only send helpful content.

Ready to Own Your First Boat?

Just tell us the best email address to send your tips to:

Fun Facts About Boats: 15 Boat Trivia Tidbits Every Captain Should Know

An image showcasing a vibrant marina during sunset, with a variety of boats - from sleek sailboats with billowing white sails to sturdy fishing vessels - bobbing gently in the calm, sparkling waters

Hey there, boat enthusiast! Get ready to dive into a world of fascinating facts about boats.

From the size of boats and ancient designs to different types of propulsion and famous races, this article will take you on an exciting journey through the intriguing world of boating.

Discover notable inventions, explore boat building techniques, and learn interesting tidbits about boat names and records.

So grab your life jacket and join us as we uncover the hidden wonders of these magnificent vessels.

Key Takeaways

Boat size significantly impacts speed and maneuverability.
Ancient boat designs showcased the ingenuity and craftsmanship of ancient civilizations, such as Egyptian reed boats and Viking longships.
Modern boat designs incorporate various propulsion systems, including electric motors, solar power, hydrogen fuel, wind propulsion, and human-powered boats.
Famous boat races and innovations have made history, showcasing the power and passion of water sports, and leading to the development of innovative designs and visionary ideas.

Boat Size Matters

When it comes to boats, size really does matter.

Picture this: you’re out on the open water, wind in your hair, and the thrill of adventure coursing through your veins. Now imagine two boats side by side, one small and sleek while the other large and powerful.

The difference in boat size can have a significant impact on speed. A smaller boat, with its lightweight frame, has the advantage of maneuverability and agility. It can dart through waves effortlessly, giving you a thrilling ride like no other.

On the other hand, a larger boat may not be as nimble but offers stability and power. Its size allows for more engine power and increased speed capabilities, making it perfect for long journeys or watersports enthusiasts seeking an adrenaline rush.

Ancient Boat Designs

Ancient boat designs incorporated unique features that allowed for efficient navigation on various bodies of water. These traditional boat designs were not only functional but also awe-inspiring, showcasing the ingenuity and craftsmanship of ancient civilizations.

From the sleek and streamlined hulls of Egyptian reed boats to the sturdy and resilient Viking longships, these vessels were designed to withstand the challenges of their respective waters. The choice of materials used in ancient boat construction was equally important. Egyptians utilized papyrus reeds, while Vikings relied on oak wood for their shipbuilding endeavors. These materials were carefully selected for their durability and ability to withstand the harsh conditions at sea.

Types of Boat Propulsion

Modern boat designs incorporate various types of propulsion systems, such as propellers and jet engines, to propel vessels efficiently through the water. These advancements in boat engine technology have revolutionized the way we travel on water, providing faster speeds, improved maneuverability, and reduced fuel consumption. In addition to traditional propellers and jet engines, alternative boat propulsion methods are also gaining popularity among boating enthusiasts. These innovative options not only offer environmental benefits but also provide a unique and thrilling experience on the water. Take a look at the table below to explore some of these alternative boat engine types:

These alternative boat propulsion methods offer exciting possibilities for a more sustainable boating future while still delivering an unforgettable experience on the water. By embracing these innovations, you can become part of a community that values both adventure and environmental responsibility.

Famous Boat Races

You’re about to embark on a thrilling discussion about famous boat races that have made history. These races feature record-breaking competitors who have pushed the limits of human achievement.

From the legendary Historical Boat Race that set the stage for future competitions, to the adrenaline-fueled Global Boat Race that unites nations in friendly rivalry, these events showcase the power and passion of the water sports world.

Get ready to be inspired by incredible triumphs and unforgettable moments in this captivating exploration of famous boat races.

Historical Boat Race

The Historical Boat Race was quite the spectacle, attracting crowds from all over. As you stood on the riverbank, anticipation filled the air, mingling with the excited chatter of fellow spectators.

Here are some highlights that painted a vivid picture in your mind:

The sun glistened on the crystal-clear water, creating a mesmerizing reflection.
The boats glided effortlessly through the waves, their sleek and streamlined designs cutting through the current.
The cheers of the crowd echoed across the river as famous boat racers showcased their exceptional skills.
Flags fluttered in the wind, representing different countries and adding a vibrant splash of color to the scene.
The historic bridges spanning above provided a picturesque backdrop, reminding you of boat race history etched into time.

As you absorbed this extraordinary sight, you couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging among fellow enthusiasts who shared your appreciation for both tradition and innovation. It was an experience that left an indelible mark on your memory.

Record-Breaking Competitors

As you watch in awe, the competitors push their limits, showcasing their incredible athleticism and determination to break boat speed records. These record-breaking individuals have taken extreme boat modifications to a whole new level.

With innovative designs and visionary ideas, they have revolutionized the world of boating. The thrill of belonging to this exclusive community drives these athletes to constantly seek ways to improve their performance and surpass previous records.

From sleeker hull designs to advanced propulsion systems, every aspect of their boats is meticulously crafted for maximum speed and efficiency. It’s fascinating how these individuals combine science and skill to achieve breathtaking results on the water.

Global Boat Race

During the global boat race, competitors from around the world showcase their skills and determination to be crowned as the fastest on the water. It’s a thrilling event that captivates both participants and spectators alike.

As you watch these skilled sailors navigate their vessels, you can’t help but imagine yourself out on the open sea, feeling the wind in your hair and the spray of saltwater on your face. The global boat race transports you to a world where anything is possible, where ordinary boats are transformed into extraordinary machines.

Here are some unusual boat uses that will fuel your imagination:

Sailboats with wings soaring through the sky
Speedboats equipped with hovercraft technology gliding effortlessly over land and water
Submarines diving deep into mysterious underwater realms
Catamarans transforming into floating hotels for luxurious getaways
Solar-powered boats harnessing the sun’s energy for eco-friendly journeys

As you witness these incredible feats of engineering during the global boat race, you can’t help but feel inspired by what humans are capable of achieving when they push boundaries and embrace innovation. In this community of boat enthusiasts, everyone belongs to a shared passion for exploration and adventure on the high seas.

Notable Boat Inventions

Did you know that some notable boat inventions include the propeller and the steam engine? These groundbreaking innovations have revolutionized boat navigation techniques and communication methods.

Imagine gliding through the water effortlessly, powered by a propeller that efficiently converts rotational motion into forward thrust. With the advent of the steam engine, boats were no longer reliant on wind or oars, opening up new possibilities for exploration and trade.

The development of these inventions not only made boating more efficient but also fostered global connections as boats became faster and more reliable. Communication methods also improved with the invention of signal flags and semaphore systems, allowing sailors to convey messages across long distances.

These advancements in boat technology have shaped our world by enabling safer travels, expanding opportunities for commerce, and fostering a sense of belonging among seafarers worldwide.

Boat Safety Measures

Ensure your safety on the water by familiarizing yourself with proper life jacket usage and emergency protocols. Boat safety training is essential for all water enthusiasts, as it equips you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the waters safely.

Here are five important measures to keep in mind:

Always wear a properly fitted life jacket, as it can save your life in case of an accident.
Be aware of your surroundings and stay alert while operating a boat to avoid collisions.
Follow speed limits and navigation rules to prevent accidents and maintain order on the water.
Keep communication devices such as a whistle or marine radio handy for emergencies.
Regularly check your boat’s safety equipment, including fire extinguishers and flares.

By following these measures, you can enjoy your time on the water while ensuring your safety and that of others around you.

Stay informed, stay prepared!

Unusual Boat Uses

To discover unique ways to utilize boats, you can explore the world of boat conversions and repurposing. It’s a thrilling journey into the realm of unconventional boat designs and remarkable transformations.

Imagine turning an old sailboat into a floating art gallery or transforming a fishing trawler into a mobile research lab. The possibilities are endless, limited only by your imagination.

And when it comes to boat races, forget about the ordinary. Dive into the exhilarating world of unique boat races where creativity knows no bounds. From bathtub regattas to cardboard boat races, these events showcase not just speed and skill but also innovation and resourcefulness.

Boat Terminology Explained

So, you’ve learned about the unusual uses of boats. Now, let’s dive into the fascinating world of boat terminology! Understanding common boat navigation terms is essential for any aspiring sailor like yourself. Here are some boat maintenance tips alongside a few key terms that will make you feel right at home on the water:

Hull : The main body of the boat that keeps it afloat.
Bow : The front end of the vessel.
Stern : The rear or back end of the boat.
Port : The left side when facing forward.
Starboard : The right side when facing forward.

Boat Building Techniques

Boat building techniques have come a long way, and it’s fascinating to explore the differences between traditional and modern methods.

From using hand tools and natural materials to cutting-edge technology and advanced composites, the evolution of boat building reflects our constant drive for innovation.

Traditional Vs Modern Methods

Today, traditional boat-building methods are being replaced by modern techniques. The world of boat construction is undergoing a revolution, embracing new designs and technologies that offer improved performance and efficiency.

Imagine a future where boats are built using cutting-edge materials and advanced manufacturing processes. Picture sleek, streamlined vessels that effortlessly glide through the water, propelled by powerful engines and state-of-the-art propulsion systems.

Envision boats equipped with innovative navigation systems that ensure safe travels even in the most challenging conditions. Visualize spacious interiors adorned with luxurious amenities, creating an atmosphere of comfort and opulence.

Now, imagine being part of this exciting transformation – a community of boating enthusiasts who embrace progress while honoring the rich heritage of traditional boat construction. In this new era, you belong to a world where tradition meets innovation, creating extraordinary experiences on the open seas.

Materials and Tools Used

Imagine how exciting it would be to witness the use of advanced materials and tools in the construction of modern vessels. From boat maintenance to boat restoration, the world of boating has been revolutionized by cutting-edge techniques and state-of-the-art equipment.

Picture yourself being part of a community where you belong, surrounded by like-minded individuals who share your passion for boats.

In this era of innovation and progress, boat maintenance has become a seamless process thanks to new materials designed to withstand harsh conditions. Fiberglass composites provide durability while reducing weight, allowing boats to glide effortlessly through the water. Advanced tools such as 3D printers enable precise repairs and customization, making boat restoration a breeze.

Embrace this visionary journey into the realm of modern vessels – where belonging is nurtured, and dreams can set sail on waters yet unexplored. Experience firsthand the power of advanced materials and tools that have transformed boating into an exhilarating adventure filled with endless possibilities.

Historical Significance and Evolution

Step into the past and discover the remarkable historical significance and evolution of vessels throughout the centuries.

Sailboats gracefully gliding across vast oceans, their billowing white sails catching the wind.
Speedboats racing through turquoise waters, leaving a trail of exhilaration in their wake.
Traditional wooden boats bobbing gently on calm rivers, carrying stories from ancient civilizations.
Canoes silently slicing through still lakes, connecting with nature’s tranquility.
Rowing boats gliding rhythmically along serene streams, teamwork propelling them forward.

Boat racing history has ignited a passion within individuals since time immemorial. Witnessed through iconic boat designs that have evolved over centuries, these vessels represent human ingenuity and exploration.

From the Viking longships to modern-day hydroplanes, each design tells a story of innovation driven by our insatiable desire for speed and adventure on water.

Embrace this rich heritage and embark on your own voyage into boat racing history – where you’ll find belonging among those who share your love for aquatic thrills and timeless craftsmanship.

Fun Facts About Boat Names

Boat names can often reflect a sense of humor or personal connection to the owner. Throughout history, boat naming traditions have evolved, with some famous boat names becoming legendary. From the iconic ‘Titanic’ to the adventurous ‘Endeavour,’ these names carry stories and evoke a strong emotional bond with their owners.

But it’s not just the grand vessels that have interesting names – even smaller boats can be named creatively. Whether it’s a witty pun like ‘Seas the Day’ or a heartfelt tribute like ‘Serenity,’ boat owners put thought into choosing a name that resonates with them and their love for the sea.

Interesting Boat Records

Are you ready to dive into the world of boat records and witness the mind-boggling achievements that have pushed the boundaries of speed and size?

Imagine a vessel slicing through the water at breakneck speeds, leaving all other boats in its wake.

Now, hold your breath as we explore the fastest boat ever recorded.

And brace yourself for an awe-inspiring encounter with the largest boat ever built, a floating fortress that redefines what it means to be immense.

Get ready to be amazed!

Fastest Boat Speed

The fastest boat speed ever recorded is 275.97 mph, achieved by a hydroplane boat in 2020. Imagine zooming across the water at an astonishing speed, defying gravity and leaving a trail of spray behind you. Picture yourself gripping the steering wheel, feeling the adrenaline rush as your boat glides effortlessly through the waves.

Here are five innovative boat designs that have contributed to these record-breaking speeds:

Sleek and aerodynamic hull shapes that reduce drag
Powerful engines with turbocharged technology for maximum acceleration
Lightweight materials like carbon fiber to increase speed and maneuverability
Hydrofoil systems that lift the boat out of the water, reducing friction
Advanced navigation systems for precise control and optimal racing lines

With these cutting-edge designs, you too can experience the thrill of pushing boundaries on the open water. So hop aboard and be part of this exciting world of fast boats!

Largest Boat Ever

Now that you know all about the fastest boat speeds, let’s dive into the world of record-breaking vessels and the grandest boat races ever witnessed.

Picture yourself standing on the shores, surrounded by a crowd of fellow enthusiasts, eagerly awaiting the sight of the largest boat ever created. As your heart races with anticipation, you can’t help but feel a sense of belonging among this community of boat lovers.

These colossal watercrafts are nothing short of engineering marvels, their size and scale leaving spectators in awe. From enormous cruise ships to mammoth cargo carriers, these giants dominate the seas with their sheer presence.

The largest boat races bring together competitors from around the globe who share an unyielding passion for boating and a desire to be part of something truly extraordinary.

Boat Etiquette and Customs

Follow proper boat etiquette by always giving way to larger vessels in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water. Remember, it’s not just about following rules, but also about creating a sense of belonging and community among fellow boaters.

Here are a few guidelines to help you navigate the waters with grace:

Boat flag signals: Use flags to communicate important messages like ‘diver down’ or ‘restricted maneuverability.’ It’s like having your own secret language on the water.

Boat docking etiquette: When docking, be patient and wait your turn. Offer assistance if needed and always leave enough space for other boaters.

Keep noise levels down: Respect others’ peace by reducing engine noise, loud music, or shouting.

Clean up after yourself: Dispose of trash properly so that the beauty of the water is preserved for everyone’s enjoyment.

Be aware of your wake: Slow down near docks, swimmers, or smaller boats to minimize your wake and prevent any accidents.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do boats impact the environment.

Boats impact the environment by contributing to water pollution, causing noise and disrupting habitats. It’s crucial to recognize these effects and take steps towards sustainable practices. Together, we can protect our waters and create a sense of belonging for all living beings.

What Are Some Common Myths About Boats?

Common misconceptions about boats can lead to false beliefs and misunderstandings. However, by debunking boat myths, you can gain a clearer understanding of their true impact and appreciate the valuable role they play in our lives.

Are There Any Superstitions or Beliefs Associated With Boats?

Do superstitions and beliefs associated with boats still exist in modern times? They do. These age-old traditions impact the behavior and decision making of boat owners, adding an air of mystique and a sense of belonging to the maritime community.

Can Boats Be Used for Medical or Scientific Purposes?

You’ll be amazed at how boats can contribute to medical research and scientific exploration. They provide a unique platform for studying marine life, conducting experiments, and collecting data in remote areas.

What Are Some Unusual Materials That Have Been Used to Build Boats?

Imagine the possibilities of using unconventional materials to build boats. From bamboo to recycled plastic, these unusual materials offer unique advantages and disadvantages in boat construction. Explore the creativity and innovation behind these alternative choices for building your dream vessel.

So there you have it, matey! You’ve just explored the mesmerizing world of boats with all its intriguing wonders and astonishing records.

From ancient boat designs to cutting-edge propulsion systems, this article has shed light on the fascinating realm of maritime history and innovation.

Remember to respect boat etiquette and customs as you embark on your own nautical adventures.

With these fun facts in mind, set sail into a future where boats continue to inspire and amaze us all.

Bon voyage!

Disclaimer Statement: This article was written and edited by authors based on their understanding and opinion. The views and facts expressed in this article are not endorsed or verified by FactNight.com. FactNight does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or validity of any views or facts stated here. Readers are advised to use their judgment before relying on the content published here. FactNight disclaims any liability for losses or damages resulting from using this content. The images used in this article are copyrighted by their respective owners. Please use the contact form on our website or the comment section below to report inappropriate content. FactNight does not take responsibility for any errors, omissions, or accuracy of the content.

Some are perhaps just old folks’ tales but the stories of most will definitely surprise you. There’s no denying that the vast waters of the world guard more than just one secret…

#1 my revenge.

A 14th-century French noblewoman became a privateer (a private person or a ship engaging in naval warfare) to avenge her late husband’s death.

When her husband was executed for treason by the French king, Jeanne de Clisson , also known as de Belleville or the Lioness of Brittany , patrolled the English Channel to target French ships, often killing their crew. She continued her pirate endeavors for 13 years, leaving only a few people to bear witness to her killings.

She became part of the Black Fleet and outfitted three ships which were painted black with red sails. The flagship was named My Revenge.

#2 Good luck vs bad luck superstitions

Spending weeks or months on a ship, stories and superstitions are an inherent part of the life of a sailor.

To name just a few, whistling is considered bad luck as it can bring about strong winds. In fact, the only person allowed to whistle on a ship is the cook as it means he is not eating the food.

Bananas might turn a boat’s luck ill, too. Especially when it comes to fishing boats as it is believed that if bananas are aboard, the fish won’t bite and there might be even mechanical mishaps. As soon as the hidden bananas are discovered and removed, the boat’s luck turns around.

On the other hand, cats bring good luck. British and Irish sailors would often adopt a black cat, which might sound counterintuitive as in some cultures a black cat is considered an evil omen. However, there is some logic to it as cats hunt down and get rid of rodents, who usually live on ships and might chew on ropes or eat food. This practice was even adopted by Vikings in Northern Germany between the 8th and 11th centuries.

#3 Not enough semaphore flags

#TrafalgarDay HMS Victory signals: England expects that every man will do his duty. https://t.co/QDfNHUUuqx pic.twitter.com/gwLXXtGUeG — Royal Navy (@RoyalNavy) October 21, 2018

At the beginning of the Battle of Trafalgar during the Napoleonic Wars, Admiral Lord Nelson made a now-famous call to arms to all his men, through semaphore flags.

The whole message read “ England expects that every man will do his duty” although the last word “duty” was not the original which Nelson himself wanted. Initially, he had written down “do his best”, but because of a lack of flags, they had to use “duty” instead.

Need to use the toilet on a ship? Ask for the heads instead. The name comes from the times when regular sailors went to the ship’s front — also called head or a bow — to relieve themselves. The toilets would be regularly washed out by the normal wave action.

Only the captain enjoyed his own private facility near his quarters.

The device used to measure boat speed to this day is still called the “log” even though it has nothing to do with an actual log these days — flickr

The measurement that ships (and planes ) use for navigation is the nautical mile. One nautical mile per hour is called a “knot”.

The origin of the word “knot” comes from the olden days when the speed on the ships would be measured by throwing into the sea a log attached to a rope with evenly spaced knots. As the ship moved relative to the log, the number of knots during a certain period of time would be counted to measure the speed of the vessel.

The device used to measure boat speed to this day is still called the “log” even though it has nothing to do with an actual log these days.

#6 Lyubov Orlova on the loose

Sea world stories have always been full of abandoned spooky ships — perhaps not dissimilar to Lyubov Orlova who has been on the loose since 2013.

The Russian ship was commissioned during the times of Yugoslavia and used mainly for expeditions to Antarctica. A few years ago, it broke loose from a tugboat during a storm and has been drifting across the North Atlantic ever since. Some people believe the ship is taken over by cannibalistic rats… but be it either way, the dark and quiet vessel roaming around in the international waters has been labeled as dangerous by some.

#7 “Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey”

Cannonballs were kept on a square brass tray called a “monkey” — Shutterstock

The phrase, “cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey” comes from the times of old warships.

The “balls” refer to cannonballs that were made of iron. They were kept on a square brass tray called a “monkey”. In very cold weather, the brass would contract in size, so a square pyramid of cannonballs that was made on it would literally fall off. The reason they were kept on brass was the fact that iron rusts very fast, and it wouldn’t be a good idea to have your cannonballs rusting into the thing they were lying on.

#8 Quarantine

The noun quarantine comes from Italian quaranta giorni or forty days. It comes from the Venetian policy of quarantining ships from plague-stricken places for 40 days, ensuring no one infected is on board.

From the 17th century onwards, the term was extended to “any period of forced isolation”.

#9 Swedish Vasa

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vasamuseet / The Vasa Museum (@vasamuseet) on Oct 18, 2020 at 4:16am PDT

She was salvaged of most of her valuables and left in what is now a busy lane just outside of Stockholm harbor until the late 1950s. Since 1988 it has been placed in the Vasa museum in Stockholm .

#10 The tale of Hugh Williams

We might never find out whether the tale of unsinkable Hugh Williams is true or not at all.

In 1664, a ship sank in the Menai Strait just off the coast of Wales . But one of the 81 passengers survived: Hugh Williams. More than a hundred years later, in 1785, another ship sank in the Menai Strait and, again, from the 60 passengers aboard, only one survived — Hugh Williams. To add more mystery to the tale, the year 1820 marked the third instance of sinking in the Strait, with the only survivor being Hugh Williams.

#11 Youngest person to sail around the world

The 14-year-old Laura Dekker set out in 2012 to sail solo around the world. 518 days later, she arrived in Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten in a 12.4-meter two-masted ketch called Guppy. At the age of 16, she became the youngest person in the world to solo circumnavigate the world.

Did you enjoy reading this article? Next you can try White Shark Café and other surprising facts about world’s oceans or browse Kiwi.com Stories for more articles.

Popular routes on Kiwi.com

Cheap flights from Dubai to London
Cheap flights from Vilnius to Tenerife
Cheap flights from Nairobi to Eldoret
Cheap flights from Tenerife to Vilnius
Cheap flights from London to Prague
Cheap flights from Barcelona to Tenerife
Cheap flights from London to Athens
Cheap flights from Cairo to Dubai
Cheap flights from Berlin to Istanbul
Cheap flights from Istanbul to Baku
Cheap flights from London to Warsaw
Cheap flights from London to Lisbon

Dublin on a budget: 10 ways to save money when you visit

Travel on a budget to the capital of Ireland and discover money-saving tips, hidden gems, local knowledge and great deals on food, drink, sightseeing and more

Visit Portugal: see the best of everything this spring

Kiwi.com brings you the best of Portugal: top city breaks, stunning scenery, wonderful walks, beautiful beaches, springtime celebrations, lovely weather, and much more

5 destinations to visit when you’re young and broke

Where are some of the best places to travel to if you’re young and on a budget? We’ve looked at some Gen Z travel habits and picked five of the cheapest and most inspiring destinations in Europe and Asia

Singapore on a budget: 10 ways to save money as a tourist

From street food to hidden attractions, insider secrets and affordable adventures, master the art of budget travel in Singapore with our money-saving tips

Save money on flights and the unexpected with Kiwi.com and AXA travel insurance

If you can have a flight for less, you buy it – that’s a no-brainer! And if, for the money you saved, you can get travel insurance that might well save you from future unexpected costs, you’ll consider adding it to your booking. Especially when it covers not just medical expenses and assistance, but also baggage, liability, flight delays, and even cancellations

World Travel Hackers: Students save over €7,000 on an Asian backpacking trip

Get top travel money tips, find out how to get the most out of long layovers, and learn how two of our World Travel Hackers spent less than €2,000 each on a four-week adventure in Asia

Jana Brnáková

Los Angeles on a budget: 10 ways to save money when you visit

Take the stress out of travel: World Travel Hackers on insurance from Kiwi.com and AXA travel insurance

Bank holiday dates and destinations for 2024 (UK)

December 14

Fun Facts About Yachts: Surprising Trivia About These Iconic Vessels

YACHT UNIVERSITY BLOG

0 comments

Yachts are a symbol of luxury and extravagance, often associated with the rich and famous. But beyond their opulent appearance and high price tags, yachts have a rich history and many interesting facts that may surprise you. In this blog post, we’ll explore some fun facts about yachts that you may not have known before.

The word “yacht” comes from the Dutch word “jacht,” which means “hunt.” Originally, yachts were small, fast sailing vessels used by the Dutch navy to pursue pirates and other ships.
The world’s largest yacht, the Azzam, measures a staggering 180 meters (590 feet) in length. Owned by the Emir of Abu Dhabi, it reportedly cost over $600 million to build.
The fastest yacht in the world is the World Is Not Enough, which set a speed record of 70.86 knots (81.6 mph) in 2004. It was built for the James Bond movie of the same name.
The first yacht club in the world was the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Ireland, founded in 1720. Today, there are thousands of yacht clubs worldwide.
The first motor-powered yacht was the Vector, built in 1888 by American engineer George Lawley. It was powered by a one-cylinder gasoline engine and could reach a top speed of 6 knots.
The Queen’s yacht, the HMY Britannia, was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a floating museum in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was used by the royal family for over 40 years and hosted many state visits and royal events.
Yachts were once used as a means of transportation for the wealthy. In the 19th century, it was common for wealthy families to travel by yacht between their homes in different locations.
Yachts are often equipped with luxurious amenities such as swimming pools, hot tubs, and even helipads. Some even have movie theaters, bowling alleys, and basketball courts.
The cost of owning and maintaining a yacht can be astronomical. According to some estimates, it can cost up to 10% of the yacht’s value each year to maintain it.
Yachts can be environmentally friendly too. Some yachts are equipped with solar panels, wind turbines, and hybrid engines to reduce their carbon footprint and lower their impact on the environment.

Yachts may be symbols of extravagance, but they also have a rich history and many interesting facts. From their origins as Dutch naval vessels to their luxurious amenities and high cost of ownership, yachts are truly unique vessels that capture our imagination and fascination.

Trivia about yachts, Yacht Crew, Yacht fun fact, Yachting.

Top 101 Boating Facts and Factoids

By Boating Staff
Updated: October 16, 2006

There’s a lot to know in this sport we call boating. Too much, in fact. Which is good, as it keeps us interested and constantly learning. And it’s also bad, as there’s always something you should have known and only figured out later-usually, when it was too late. So class, here’s this semester’s lessons. Read on. Then take notes, and highlight the good parts. You never know when life will throw you a pop quiz.

Here’s the Pitch

An engine should run within its recommended rpm operating range at wide open throttle. If it revs below the range, less prop pitch is called for. If it’s above the range, more pitch is required. Props are described by diameter first, then pitch. Thus a 14½” x 19″ prop has a diameter of 14½” and a pitch of 19″.

Pecking Order

Whichever type of vessel is higher on this list has the right of way over those below it.

• Vessel not under command

• Vessels restricted in maneuverability

• Vessels engaged in fishing

• Sailboats

• Powerboats

Speed Freak

Hull speed for a displacement boat can be computed using the following formula:

V = the square root of LWL x 1.34

V = velocity in knots

LWL = waterline length

Left, Right, Left, Right

A single-engine boat with a right-handed prop backs to port.

With a left-handed propeller, the boat backs to starboard.

Do Not Pass Go

When two boats under power are about to meet head-on, neither has the right-of-way. Both vessels must make a noticeable course alteration to starboard after giving the proper signal of one short blast. When two vessels under power are crossing, the boat that has the other to starboard is the give-way vessel and must avoid the other by passing astern. The privileged vessel should maintain course and speed.

When visibility is restricted, hold to a speed that allows you to stop in no more than half of the distance of your visibility.

Down a Lazy River

A power-driven vessel operating in a narrow channel on the Great Lakes or in western rivers and proceeding downstream with a following current, has the right-of-way over an upbound vessel.

Twice as Nice

If you have two similar lines and the second is twice as thick as the first, the second line will be four times stronger than the first.

Found Horizons

Distance to your radar’s horizon in nautical miles can be estimated with the following formula: 1.23 x the square root of H = Distance H = the height of the radome in feet

Near or Far

To determine the distance to any object, use the following formula:

D + 1.17 x the square root of H = Distance

D = distance to the horizon in nautical miles (see above)

H = eye height above sea level in feet

Use this formula twice. Once to calculate the distance to the geographic horizon, and once to calculate the object’s distance off. Add the two to get the total distance off for the object.

A tall person (6’2″ and up) generally requires 3’2″ of sitting headroom. A person of average height (5’8″) needs 2’11”.

Who Needs NOAA?

Often, you can see the approach of a front or squall on radar, usually with the unit set on the 6- or 12-mile range.

Tide is highest at the full new moon.

‘Tis Hurricane Season

June, too soon;

July, stand by;

August, look out!

September, you will remember.

October, all over.

Weather Sayings:

Red sky at night, sailors delight.

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.

When a halo rings the moon or sun,

rain will come upon the run.

Mackerel skies and mares’ tails,

make tall ships carry low sails.

(Cirrus clouds, which resemble mackerels and the wisps of a horse’s tail, indicate approaching storms.)

The American Cancer Society recommends using a sunblock with on SPF of 15. Recent studies have shown that the advantages of increasing SPF above 15 may not increase the effectiveness correspondingly.

Send a Wire

When fishing, to calculate the depth to which solid wire line sinks while trolling, count 1′ of depth for every 10′ of line. So when trolling, say, 150′ of wire line, your lure will be working around 15′ (deeper if you use a trolling weight).

To replace an IGFA world record for a fish weighing less than 25 pounds, the replacement weight must be at least 2 ounces more than the existing record. To replace an IGFA record for a fish weighing 25 pounds or more, the replacement weight must be at least 1/2 of 1 percent more than the existing record.

Listen Hear?

You’re not required to have your radio on. But when it is, the law says you must listen to Channel 16 or, for recreational boats, Channel 9.

Winds coming out of the south or east-tides will be stronger and later than expected. Winds coming out of the north or west-tides will be diminished and earlier than expected.

At one knot, a boat will travel approximately 1.7′ each second.

To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 then multiply by .555. To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply by 1.8 then add 32.

What? No 911?

Radio distress signals:

MAYDAY Vessel is threatened by grave and/or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. PAN-PAN Indicates caller has an urgent message regarding safety of a person or vessel. SECURITÉ (“se-cur-itay”) Indicates caller is about to transmit information concerning safety to navigation or give an important meteorological warning.

A Current Affair Selecting Wire Gauge

Ski-Daddle Hand Signals for Waterskiers

** **Faster: Palm of one hand up Slower: Palm of one hand down Speed okay: Arm up; thumb and forefinger form a circle Right turn: Arm out pointing right Left turn: Arm out pointing left Return to drop-off area: Arm pointing down at a 45-degree angle and swinging Cut motor: Finger drawn across the throat Stop: Hand up, palm forward, like a police officer Skier okay after fall: Hands clenched overhead Pick me up or fallen skier: One ski pointing vertically out of the water ** **

Navy Signal Corps Two-Letter Flag Signals

Hold On! Choosing a Working Anchor

Channel Markers VHF Channels

Seven signs that fish are probably nearby

1. A distinct smell like cucumber or cantaloupe often means that fish have been foraging for bait in the vicinity. The smell comes from oils in the chewed-up fish as it floats to the surface.

2. Smooth, thin surface slicks may indicate fish feeding below. The slicks are also caused by fish oils.

3. If birds are working the surface, something is or was there.

4. A sudden eruption of white over a large area says fish are feeding.

5. What appears as a dark stick might in fact be a marlin bill. Dark shapes may be fins. Shadows could be the entire fish.

6. Surface rips where you can see the color of water change or where currents come together churning the surface often cause bait fish to panic. Bigger fish know this and come to eat.

7. Weedlines, driftwood, and buoys are offshore structures that offer small fish protection in open water. If small fish are present, big fish will not be far behind.

Torque About It

To determine the torque of an engine at WOT, use this formula: horsepower x 5.252 __________________ =Torque rpm

More: How-To , Hurricane Preparation , Seamanship

More How To

What to Do if Your Boat’s Engine Dies

I Learned About Boating From This: Capsize, Rescue and Lessons Learned

Should You Abandon Ship During a Boat Fire?

38 Top Make-Ready Tips for the Spring Boating Season

Boat Test: 2024 Starcraft SVX 231 OB CC

Boat Test: 2024 Bass Cat Caracal STS

Boat Test: 2024 Regal 38 Surf

Digital Edition
Customer Service
Privacy Policy
Cruising World
Sailing World
Salt Water Sportsman
Sport Fishing
Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

90 facts about sailing

Not always serious, but certainly true facts about yachting from Alexander Babitsky — the founder of the yacht company «Seanation», a sailing instructor and ideologist of the largest Russian-language regatta for beginners — «AFR».

Anastasiia Mosina

Alexander Babitsky

Anastasiia mosina , alexander babitsky.

1.It is not the wind that is dangerous for yachts, but the waves. A storm of any reasonable strength alone cannot cause any damage to the yacht’s hull. The wind cannot turn the yacht over either. But a wave driven by the wind can wash away all equipment and people from the deck, and in case of an overturn, the yacht can sink. I am talking about cruising yachts and 6-8 meters waves.

2.It is not easy to come across a real storm and, moreover, a hurricane, if you are not looking for it. Many people around the world have been sailing for 20 years and have never come across extreme weather. But if you really want to, then there are places on Earth where a meeting with Poseidon in all his glory is guaranteed.

3.In recent decades, yacht manufacturing has undergone dramatic changes. One after another, shipyards, which for a long time have been producing serious and rather expensive sailboats for round the world trips, multi-day voyages, and so on, go bankrupt. In turn, unprecedented growth is shown by shipyards that manufacture mass-market boats for pleasure yachting. The retail price of yachts is going down, quality is getting worse, quantity is growing. Beneteau, Jeanneau, Bavaria, Hanse, Dufour, Elan, etc are the shipyards producing yachts that no one would have taken seriously 30-40 years ago. Hallberg-Rassy, Najad, Oyster, Westerly, Rival, Sadler, etc are either already bankrupt, or on the verge of bankruptcy. Yachting has changed from a way to travel to a way to race and go out to sea for a casual sailing. This is evolution, and that’s okay.

Yachting is about finding ways to repair your boat in exotic locations.

4.Many people think that there are no really luxurious sailboats — only motorboats. It is not true. Google Perini Navi for example. In general, a very cool sailboat will cost as much as a very cool motorboat. It’s a matter of taste. So, a large sailing yacht doesn’t mean that the owner has not yet saved up for a motorboat.

5. Sailboats will exist until the moment when someone will not invent some other relatively economical way of moving on water without limitation in range. To cross any of the oceans on a motor yacht, you need to have a huge supply of fuel that must be stored somewhere, so this yacht must be of the appropriate size. In yachts it works like this: the length is directly proportional to the cost. Therefore, few can afford a motorboat trip around the world. A sailboat from 6 meters long is already a real ship, on which you can sail in open spaces. But as soon as a conventional nuclear reactor the size of a matchbox appears, yachtsmen will switch to this method of movement, and sailboats will remain for old-schoolers and athletes. This is what happened with photographic film. However, all this is not 100%.

6. Owning a yacht is not expensive. In northern Europe, you can buy a sailboat ready to sail around the world for 10-20 thousand euros. No, it won’t be a piece of shit. But you will need to work on fixing it. And all thoughts and plans will be about it.

7.The British say that yachting is about finding ways to repair a boat in exotic locations. It’s true. Yachts break down all the time. Absolutely horrible operating conditions (shaking, salt, loads, ultraviolet light), an insane amount of spare parts, the crew that doesn’t know what it is doing — all these are the reasons that the owner of a boat is constantly repairing something. Yes, you can buy a yacht for little money, but you have to invest daily. Although, if you have a clever pair of hands, don’t mind being homeless and don’t need any conveniences, then you can do with a minimum of financial investments.

The Mediterranean is a pretty lousy region for sailing yachting. There is almost always too much wind or no wind at all.

8.Sailing is considered an extreme sport. In fact, as long as it is just sport, and not a world-class sport, the chances to become disabled, dye or go missing are quite small. Modern yachts, if a skipper is competent and the yacht is fixed, are quite safe. Everything is the same as with cars.

9.Contrary to popular belief, the Mediterranean is a pretty lousy region for sailing yachting. There is almost always too much wind or no wind at all. For a sailor, the ideal weather is moderately strong and steady wind, like, for example, in the Caribbean.

10.All shipyards film inspiring commercials about how their boat is steadily sailing under a slight comfortable roll, managed by a brutal male, and a female in a dress at the same time drinks cold rose wine and smiles at the sun. In real life, everything is not so. However, if you find a closed bay, in which there is no wave, choose the right weather, do not pour too much wine into a glass, then for about 15 minutes you will be able to bring the commercial to life. But no longer.

11.Sailing athletes differ from cruising yachtsmen as much as Formula 1 riders differ from ordinary drivers. That is, a person who has been racing on the Optimist since the age of 6 needs to learn sailing in long voyages no less, and often more, than those who started cruising straight away, even if not from childhood.

12. Size is not important. And with sailboats too. To sail across the seas and oceans, you do not need a large yacht, but you need a well-prepared one. Any talks about the fact that it is impossible to travel around the world on a 10-meters long yacht are justified by nothing, except cowardice.

13. When you hear from beginner yachtsmen stories about the horrible storm they have been through, perhaps you should doubt their stories. And that’s why:

a) The wind is often gusty. At a linear speed, for example, 10 m / s, gusts can blow even up to 20 m / s. Fear has many eyes, and they will notice that figure on the anemometer, which blinks 1 time for 1 second, and then this figure will appear in their stories.

b) Sailing yachts sail under the so-called apparent wind. This is the wind that you get from adding the natural wind speed and the wind speed generated by the movement of the yacht. That is, if a yacht is sailing using the wind that blows relative to the front, then the apparent wind is stronger than the natural. The devices most often display the speed of the apparent wind. Beginner yachtsmen forget about it and think that the weather is close to stormy, which is not necessary so.

14. The Russian maritime language began and finished its development in tsarist times. Therefore, most of the modern yacht parts have only English names. And the Old Dutch words, such as grottoes and staysails, are slowly but surely leaving the everyday life of modern yachtsmen.

15.The dream of many beginner yachtsmen is to train as a skipper, get a license and start sailing people for money, thereby making a living and traveling at the same time. I also started like that. Now this plan is close to utopia. The number of such skippers is huge, plus there is always the opportunity to go to sea either for free or for little money, helping those who have their own yacht when this yacht needs to be taken somewhere.

16. No, nobody uses astronavigation now. Orientation to celestial bodies has outlived its usefulness. Which, of course, does not prevent you from knowing this method.

17.Although paper charts are still being produced and all sailors are being trained to use them, they will soon become a rudimentary method of navigation. Modern yachtsmen sailing in coastal waters use only electronic navigation. Those who sail far, sometimes check and make charts on paper, but this is more a desire to play it safe than a real need. Another thing is that all electronics must be duplicated, as well as energy sources for it.

Ocean crossings are very, very boring. Fixing the tack every 5 days is often the only thing you need to do. And the remaining 23 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds you have absolutely nothing to do.

18.Regatta is a sporting competition of sailing yachts held in accordance with the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS). And not just a bunch of yachts going roughly one way and passing beer from yacht to yacht. But they started to call a regatta any flotilla with more than two yachts, where someone shouted into the radio «let’s race.»

19.The word «yachting» appeared in the Russian language recently in response to the fact that there was nothing but «sailing». And spending time sailing is not always a sport. Most often, if you take the Mediterranean, it is lying on the deck to the cozy rumble of a diesel engine and the cries of seagulls. What kind of sport is it really ...?

20. Any modern cruising sailing yacht has a motor. Before, yachts with sails and a motor were called motor-sailing. Now it became meaningless and they all just became sailing. The motor is used for maneuvering in marinas, sailing in calm weather and charging batteries.

21.Ocean crossings are very, very boring. All the tales about sunrises and sunsets, dolphins and tuna, wind and sails are good for self-sufficient phlegmatic people. Dear dreamers, imagine that nothing other than the above is available for, let’s say, three weeks. Nothing at all. Do you think it’s fun? Not at all. Fixing the tack every 5 days is often the only thing you need to do. And the remaining 23 hours 59 minutes and 30 seconds you have absolutely nothing to do. Sometimes you even want a storm not to be bored. However, if you are in an ocean regatta, and not in a simple crossing, then the situation is completely different.

22.If you decided to become a skipper, it does not matter at all which system the chosen school will have: IYT, RYA or something else. You are taught by the instructor and each of them does it differently. A good instructor plus your ability plus your motivation minus your laziness = success.

23.SHOCK. SENSATION. INTRIGUE. If you decide to buy a yacht for yourself or are planning to sail on a yacht of friends, you don’t need a skipper license AT ALL. At least in most countries. Your certificate of training is only of interest to charter companies and their insurers. Yes, again — on a private yacht in most waters you DO NOT NEED A LICENSE!

24. Sailing is expensive if it’s a sport and not a cruise! The higher the class, the more money you need. Relative exceptions are small sports yachts up to 8-9 meters long. Cruises, on the other hand, are cheap. A 6-8-seater yacht in the off-season, for example, in spring, is quite affordable — about 1000 euros per week. For all 6-8 people.

25. If you do not know anything, and you are invited to participate in the regatta for your money, then this is a fraud. There are no training regattas and training in regatta conditions. Well, they exist, but they will not teach you anything there. You will stay next to one rope and periodically do something with it when the captain asks you about it (usually in a foul language). So you will spend the whole regatta and go home even more confused than you were before. However, here we are talking about regattas, and not about the «regattas» from paragraph 18. You can learn something at them, or you can just have fun.

26. Surprisingly, I have never seen Orthodox icons and crosses near the steering wheel or other equipment. It is scary to imagine how, in bad weather, the skipper, instead of changing sails to stormy ones, falls on his knees and prays.

I personally know several very talented skippers who often say «pull that red rope over there» instead of «pull up the tack»

27. Many yachts have 2 steering wheels not to steer together but because when the yacht heels over, one of the steering wheels turns out to be more convenient for steering. Plus, on wide yachts, 2 steering wheels help you go from board to board without losing control of the yacht.

28. There are no age restrictions for children on yachts. Many families go sailing with babies on board. You just need to comply with simple rules and that’s it.

29.The wish for a fair wind is actually not entirely true in modern conditions. When the wind blows straight from behind, comfort and speed are not great.

30. In the conditions of a modern cruising yacht, about 100 nautical terms are used. Experienced skippers like to reproach the «youth» for ignorance or misuse of certain words. I have never noticed a correlation between knowing the terms and feeling the yacht / wind. I personally know several very talented skippers who often say «pull that red rope over there» instead of «pull up the tack.» This does not stop then from sailing tens of thousands of miles.

31.A modern cruising yacht, especially a charter yacht, is a set of compromises. For each wind direction there should be a sail. And for every wind force too. Charter yachts usually have only two sails, or three at most. So you sail, but by sporting standards, it’s pretty funny. At the same time, racing boats often have 10-12 sails, which are constantly changed due to changing conditions. Naturally, this difference is due to economy.

32. Usually two people, if they are competent, are enough to operate a cruising sailing yacht. The rest of the crew is needed for a drink after mooring.

33.A very large percentage of those who have completed sailing schools and received skipper’s certificates do not go to sea on their own. Because it’s scary — more often than not, this is the main reason.

34. Surely, there are skippers who do not use foul language on board and say «please, fix the staysail sheet.» But I have not met such people.

35. Never in my life have I heard a «Mayday» on the radio — this is a marine SOS. That is, no one drowned / burned / died while I was at sea. I guess, I was lucky.

36. While the yacht is at sea, both boys and girls should do their business in the latrine SITTING. Otherwise, rolling will lead to a toilet being pissed from floor to ceiling.

37. Sea knots and their knowledge do not make you a sailor. I remember and knit just 8-10 knots right away. It was always enough for me. However, the majority of pretentious sofa yachtsmen will tell you that without knowing 145 knots and astronavigation it is better not to go out to sea. They really had better not go.

38. The main modern device for coastal recreational navigation is the iPad. Plus one more spare iPad. By the way, Airbus and Boeing pilots also fly with the iPad.

39.The well-known life jackets are a rather poor means of safety during cruise yachting. The only thing that can almost guarantee your survival if you fall overboard is the fastening, the special systems that tie you to the side of the yacht. In the event of a fall, the sailor remains tied to the yacht and only needs to be pulled up. If you fall overboard in a life jacket, there is absolutely no guarantee that the crew on board will return for you in time or even find you. The mere fact of staying afloat does not guarantee survival at all.

40. In really bad weather, you have to stay at home or in a bar. But if you find yourself at sea, then the further you are from the shore, the better for you. It is much easier to crash against rocks than to die in open water. The water is always safer than the shore.

41. A lot of yachtsmen who sail around the world and who have tons of experience don’t care about:

b) gloves and gortex;

c) the order on the ship;

d) bad and good omens;

e) maritime traditions;

e-z) the rest of the crap, which beginners believe in.

42. A lot of yachtsmen who sail around the world and who have tons of experience really care about:

a) the state of the engine;

b) the amount of fresh water;

c) the number of iPads and spare power banks;

d) satellite communications and weather forecasts;

e) the presence of whiskey and rum on board;

e-i) the condition of the rigging and sails, and other vital things.

43. If you bought a yacht and plan to live on it in the Schengen area, there are many relatively legal ways to get around the 90 days per half year rule. The main thing is that you have a valid visa. The rest can be fixed.

44. Most voyages around the world look like this: you leave point A and go to point B. There you stay for several months and wait for the weather. Then to point C. And again stay and wait for the right season, etc. Therefore, it takes 2.5-3 years to travel around the world in a big circle. Although you can try to go around in a small circle — for example, around the Arctic.

45.It is not easy for dogs on board the yacht. Especially large and those who went to sea with the owner being a big dog, not a puppy. It is almost impossible to toilet train an adult dog on board. Therefore, the dogs wait. Yes, they can wait for 3-5 days. And such a dog can only be transported across the ocean by plane. With cats it is, of course, easier, and they make excellent sailors.

46. There are two types of satellite internet that travelers use: slow and expensive. Slow is not the «slow» one that you imagined when you remembered how your Facebook was updated for a couple of minutes. Slow satellite internet will download a small picture for about half an hour. And this picture will cost 25-30 bucks. And it can also be expensive: 1 gigabyte of fast satellite Internet in the ocean costs several thousand dollars.

48. I am often asked: are the oceans crossed over without any stops? The answer is: absolutely. Well, that is, you can stop right in the ocean and take a break, but why would you do that. And there are very few islands when crossing the oceans, and it takes weeks to go from land to land.

48. Most of the marine inhabitants that I have seen in different waters are pensioners. No, of course there are young people and families with children, but still the majority are 60+ people. I understand why. First, as already mentioned, sailing through the seas and oceans is boring. Secondly, you need a lot of free time. Thirdly, you need some passive income. Fourthly, sitting at anchorage for months with a glass of wine is a dream, of course, but only for those who have already seen life. I haven’t seen it yet, apparently.

49. One of the things yachtsmen are afraid of is containers that have fallen from container ships. According to statistics, hundreds of containers fall from ships into the oceans every year. And some of them sink rather slowly. Therefore, a yacht always has the risk of running into a half-flooded iron box and breaking the hull.

50. Yachtsmen are also afraid of whales. In general, whales don’t care about yachts and people on them. But during the migration of whales with their babies, happy parents are somewhat nervous about anything that can potentially threaten babies. Therefore, they can become aggressive towards you and your boat. There is also a chance to crash into a sleeping whale, but he is unlikely to be aggressive in this case. And the last occasion for a close acquaintance with this sea chubby is if your bottom is painted with white or light paint. Some sexually active male whales may mistake your boat for a white-bellied vicious female and try to come close for very specific purposes. Not a fun perspective

51. Your yacht is your own territory that obeys the laws of the country of registration of that yacht. Therefore, if, for example, in the country of registration you can legally buy a machine gun or a grenade launcher, then you have every right to carry these weapons on board. But, of course, it must be declared when crossing sea borders.

52. For some reason, many people think that all sailors are great swimmers. This is often not the case. I, for one, don’t swim very well. At the same time, I know several skippers who generally barely stay on the water and do not really like this. And this does not interfere with their sailing hobbies at all.

Anything that seems to be intended for yachting is immediately expensive.

53.Board games can be found in some liferafts. They are there so that the unfortunate sailors would not go crazy with boredom waiting to be rescued.

54. The best yachtsmen and yachting instructors I have ever seen or known are British. Generally speaking, for the British to go out on a boat to the sea is the same as for us to go buy bread.

55. Cruise sailing is when the yachtsman lies, walks and sails at the same time. Indeed, 90% of the time in long crossings, their participants spend in a horizontal position, and not jumping on the deck. It is funny when we are asked whether we have lost weight during the crossing. No, we haven’t.

56. Anything that seems to be intended for yachting is immediately expensive. For example, there are two first-aid kits in an Italian store — one with a car drawn on it, and the other with a boat. I asked to see them and made sure that the items inside are identical. The one with the boat was 50% more expensive. I asked why. Cause it`s for the boats — was the answer.

57. When you buy your first yacht, you immediately want to pour money into it, regardless of whether you have it. You start buying all sorts of shit, happily install it and test it in action. You make sure that shit is shit, you dismantle it and sell it on to the next experimenter. For example, I bought my Westerly for 60 thousand euros and invested another 25 thousand into it in the first couple of months. Of course, 90% of those 25 were wasted.

In the life of every yachtsman there are at least 2 happy days: the first is when he bought a yacht and the second — when he sold it.

58. There are no universal yachts, that is, you cannot buy a yacht that will be good for racing, for sailing on weekends and for long journeys with accommodation on board. Some shipyards are experimenting with what they call «performance cruisers» — to both race and cruise, but they are still too light for the oceans and too heavy for sports.

P. S. All this is true for boats of relatively small size and cost. This does not apply to yachts from 25 meters long — doing everything on them is fun. But it’s expensive.

59. Many yachtsmen, at some point in their development, start planning to cross the ocean. If we talk about Europeans, then this is, of course, the transatlantic crossing from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. This crossing has its own seasonality (December-January) and, in general, is quite simple and safe, as it passes through the zone of constant strong trade winds. In fact, this is a high-speed highway for sailing yachts — you get on the trade wind and fly. But after arriving in the Caribbean, one day you will have to decide what to do next with the yacht. The return journey is much more difficult and longer, so the yachtsman faces a choice:

a) continue to travel around the world and go to the Pacific Ocean;

b) leave the yacht in the Caribbean as a summer residence and fly home;

c) sail back, despite all the difficulties;

d) sell a yacht in the Caribbean for a penny and fly home.

Due to the fact that quite a few people use the «d» option, in the Caribbean you can sometimes buy a rather cheap boat.

60. A well-known saying goes like this: «In the life of every yachtsman there are at least 2 happy days: the first is when he bought a yacht and the second — when he sold it.» You can’t even imagine how true this is.

61. On all modern yachts, everything is made of modern materials. The hull is made of fiberglass or carbon fiber, the ropes are polyester, the sails are dacron, carbon or kevlar and so on. No one has been using any canvas for a long time. It is all the more surprising to hear from old-school yachtsmen about the ways of navigation that were used at the time of Columbus.

62.Almost everyone gets sea sick on yachts. Another thing is that it does not always come to vomiting. Seasickness is different for different people, and you can often fight it with items on hand: 50 grams of spirits, a look at the horizon, dramina and so on. After a while (from 12 to 36 hours), the body will accept its fate and will stop tormenting you, but only until the next stop at the shore, and then everything will start all over again. There is a popular myth that the vestibular apparatus can be trained once and for life. This is not so — there are no methods of training known to science. Before deciding on a sea voyage, you need to think: «Do I get car sick, bus sick or plane sick?» If the answer is yes, then yachting may not be for you.

63. It is forbidden to go to Antarctica on non-metallic yachts — the hull must be steel or aluminum.

64. To rent a charter yacht, you do not need to have a skipper’s license. You can just live on it at the pier without going out to sea. A fun alternative to a hostel.

65.In Norway, you can often find retired people living on rather expensive (1-3 million euros) motor yachts. These yachts are moored to the pier and never go to sea. But there are flowers, animals and grandchildren. During our cruises, we often came across such old people, they are very hospitable and sociable — they always invited us to drink something in the evening.

66. My yacht was taken across the ocean by two people, Edgars Vanags and Kirill Brui, widely known in narrow circles. I wrote to Edgars on Facebook: «Hi, will you take my boat across the Atlantic, I do not have time — I have a big regatta soon?» A minute later, he answered me: «Great, I will do it.» So everything was decided. And Kirill even became the yachtsman of the year in Belarus thanks to this crossing.

67. The flag, which hangs somewhere in the stern of the yacht, symbolizes the country of registration of this yacht. The country of registration does not necessarily have something to do with the owner or the skipper — you can choose it according to your personal criteria. That is, if you see a yacht with, for example, a British flag, the probability that the British own it is fifty-fifty.

68. Fishing in the ocean can be simple. If you leave a flashlight on the deck at night, then flying fish are guaranteed to fly into its light. They will fly in to die right on board. If you notice them in time, you can hang them on a rope and air-dry like roach. And if you notice it too late, you will then go and look where the stench comes from.

69. There is statistical evidence that people in liferafts and lifeboats are more likely to die from despair than from exhaustion. There is no proof, if you don’t want to — don’t believe it.

70. The Solent Strait, where the Seanation Cup takes place during the May holidays, is known as the best place for regattas on Earth. Local athletes have a high level of training, and most importantly, a good knowledge of the characteristics of the water area (which is extremely important there), therefore they compete not only and not so much in yachting skills, but in bullying. Moral pressure and humiliation of the enemy, as well as attempts to provoke and deceive, is a normal practice when passing marks, start and finish lines.

71. In ocean conditions, you can wash yourself, including rather long female hair, using only 1 liter of fresh water.

72. Electricity on a yacht can be produced in a variety of ways:

a) diesel, if there is a supply of diesel fuel;

b) solar panels, if there is sun;

c) a wind generator, if there is wind;

d) water turbine, if there is wind and you are sailing.

As a rule, there is always something mentioned above. If there is nothing, you are out of luck. I know people who put all 4 devices on their boats. It usually doesn’t make much sense, but these people explain this decision by the love of electricity. Vasily Surikov, for example, loves it.

73. If you don’t like someone, then here’s a way to have perfect murder. Take this person with you on a crossing in the open sea, or better yet, the ocean. At some point in time, this person for some reason ends up on board — to pee or just to watch the sunset. You push the person, and the yacht follows its course but without the unpleasant passenger already. It is better to do this at night, since you will have several hours of head start before you start shouting into the radio about the tragedy that has happened — you were asleep and do not know where, when and why the person went. There are no signs of a struggle on the deck, so it didn’t happen. Yachting is dangerous, anything can happen. There were such precedents, maybe people fell off, or maybe ...

74. The very fact of bouts of seasickness is not a reason not to go to sea. Once Constantine crossed the Atlantic with us. He vomited every day for 21 days. Sometimes several times a day. According to him, he liked the crossing. He did not take advantage of the opportunity to go ashore during a stop in Cape Verde, saying: «Well, there is nothing to worry about, everything is ok.»

The fact is that it is enough to drag a couple of ropes back and forth for the yacht to move somehow, and for many this is enough.

75. The most useful device for a cruising yachtsman after the iPad is the Garmin InReach satellite tracker. This gadget has a built-in Iridium transceiver, which means that you are connected from anywhere in the earth’s geoid. Email, Facebook, sms, etc. And for very little money. No, this is not an advertisement, although it looks like that.

76. A little more about corpses and yachting. A group of middle-aged men were sailing on a yacht across the ocean, and about the middle of this crossing, one of the sailors died. He had an ulcer, or something of this sort. The guys rushed to call lawyers in Russia and Barbados, suggesting to throw him overboard, since it was warm outside, and the guy started to rot. Lawyers were against it — take him with you, they said, since you had already informed everyone about the accident. Well, so they had to do it. They wrapped a friend in a film, put him in a dingy (an inflatable small boat) and tied it behind the yacht. So they were sailing with it for several days until they arrived in Barbados. Everything would be ok, but the wind on this crossing was blowing from behind — I don’t know how the guys were breathing.

77. One of the few nations that is still difficult to meet on yachts is the Chinese. I am sure that they will be there soon. But recently, in a large marina of Athens, a Chinese man approached me and asked me whether I have seen a catamaran with Chinese. In fact, I did, and I told him where to look for it. Because there was only one such boat out of 2 thousand ones in the marina.

78. The most expensive marinas, as far as I know, are in Ibiza and southern Italy. During the high season, a mid-size charter yacht pays up to € 300 per night. At the same time, mooring in Portugal, for example, will cost 11-15 euros per night.

79. If you are an exhibitionist, nudist, voyeur or just an masturbator, then the best place for you is the waters of the Balearic Islands — Mallorca, Ibiza and Menorca. In no other place have I seen so many naked yachtsmen and yachtswomen. Of course, most of them are older people.

Snobbery is what a beginning Russian yachtsman will have immediately after receiving a skipper’s certificate.

80. SENSATION! SHOCK! Sail tuning and cruising yachting are often incompatible things. Not only do cruise boats do not have a variety of sails, but skippers, for the most part, do not have an understanding of what to do with these sails. The fact is that it is enough to drag a couple of ropes back and forth for the yacht to move somehow, and for many this is enough. So, when you see tons of ropes, remember that many yachtsmen don’t understand what to do with them either.

81. Every ocean marina has a message board. And on it, there are a lot of notes with texts like this: «I am John from Australia and I am going on my 40-feet yacht from Tenerife to Brazil. I am looking for an assistant or two. I will pay all the expenses.» Or something like that. So, there is a whole niche for adventure seekers. On the one hand, you can travel the world for free, on the other hand, you will have yachting practice.

82. More often I met gay men on Italian yachts. They travel in couples and sometimes with dogs.

83. I have never heard that those who played football since childhood and played in semi- or professional football teams, tried to preach or criticize those who casually play football in the yard. In yachting, it happens all the time. Snobbery is what a beginning Russian yachtsman will have immediately after receiving a skipper’s certificate. It is about Russian yachtsmen. I did not notice such an attitude towards beginners or inexperienced sailors among the British, Norwegians or French.

84. Children from 6 to 12 years old, if they are not on a yacht from birth, are rather bored at sea. While adults pretend to be amazed by the sunrises, sunsets and the rustle of the waves, the kids have to play iPads and eat cookies. Catamarans and a cheerful children’s parties are an exception. I have never met kids that would look forward to spending a week or two with their parents on a yacht.

85. Despite the fact that the range of sea VHF communications is very limited and is only tens of miles in the open ocean, on the radio I regularly heard monologues in languages unknown to me, individual phrases, and sometimes even songs. At the same time, the radar did not show any ships around, and the nearest land was more than a thousand miles away.

86.There are birds in the ocean. Those who, in fact, live in the ocean. When they see a yacht, they want to sit on the mast or deck to rest (some of them are in continuous flight for many months). If you allow this, the birds are guaranteed to shit on everything they can, including the anchor fire, which is located at the very top of the mast, after which you will have to climb there and wash it from shit.

87. After Russia took Crimea, no European insurance company insures yachts owned by Russians. There are three ways out: do not insure, get a residence permit / permanent residence anywhere other than Russia, or register a yacht in a legal entity of any country other than Russia.

88.A border patrol arrives at one of the anchorages of the island of Guadeloupe every day from 1 pm to 2 pm, goes on its boat around the yachts and checks passports for visas. The fact is that, despite belonging to France, to enter Guadeloupe, you need a French island visa. Moreover, not only Russians, but citizens of many states need it. The penalty for not having this visa is insane. Therefore, all the intruders (including us) every day at 12:30 got into their boats and sailed ashore, from where we were looking at the confused actions of the Guadalupean patrol.

89. If you are dreaming of your own yacht or just want to ask the price, then some of the most interesting places in terms of prices and range are Sweden and Norway. There are a lot of boats on sale, and the prices are very attractive. In the case of Sweden, until recently there were a lot of excellent local shipyards there, and the boats they built will be valued for a very long time due to their high quality and reliability. Norway is a different story. Norway, as you know, is NOT a member of the European Union. And therefore, the yachts registered there are not cleared for EU customs. What does this mean? It means that the Europeans-neighbors (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Poland and Germany) will never go to buy a second-hand yacht in Norway, as they will have to clear it at home.

90. In most countries, a skipper’s blood alcohol level should not exceed that of a car driver. For example, in the UK — 0.8 ppm — about 150 grams of vodka for an average man weighing 80kg.

Essential Guides

Ocean Mapping

New to Yachting

Jul 6, 2022

Whether you are superyacht crew, a member of the superyacht industry or just a superyacht fan, we bet these are some of the facts about the industry you didn’t know about!

1. there are currently 5,396 superyachts over 30m / 98ft in length operating in the world.

According to the SuperYacht Times ‘The State of Yachting 2022’ report, as of the end of 2021, there were 5,396 yachts over 30m / 98ft in operation. In addition, there are also around 92 superyachts out of service, while about 202 superyachts have been completely lost since 1945.

2. 95m / 312ft superyacht Kismet was used on set of a “Six Underground” Michael Bay movie featuring Ryan Renolds, Melanie Laurent and Dave Franco

Kismet has been filmed in the 2019 Michael Bay’s action movie ‘Six Underground’. Shooting in Taranto, Italy, the streaming company invested USD 150 million on the realisation of the action film, that starred Ryan Reynolds, Melanie Laurent, Dave Franco, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Adria Arjona and Corey Hawkins.

A party scene with around eighty guests and several other scenes were shot on board. Some of the explosions were also actually shot on board Kismet. And, according to cinematographer Bojan Bazelli, the filmmakers needed to be extra-mindful during the shootout scenes not to damage the teak floors which they had to protect in case they burned down.

3. The fastest superyacht in the world is M/Y Foners, reaching a thrilling 70.10 knots

The 41.5m / 136ft Foners has raced to the top spot as the world’s fastest superyacht, reaching the speed of astounding 70.10 knots. She’s been difficult to catch up with, having maintained her position for over 20 years since her delivery in 2000.

Her speed is produced by two 1,280hp MAN engines coupled with three Rolls Royce 6,700hp gas turbines that drive three KaMeWa water jets.

4. Motor yachts make up 84% of the global fleet and sailing yachts make up 16%.

5. working on board a superyacht is more than just a career.

Yachting is a career that, for its obvious perks, attracts many people. Travelling the world, earning great salary, working with state-of-the-art equipment, meeting incredible people and making lifelong friends are just some of the great things about yachting.

Unlike other careers though, yachting is an all-encompassing life adventure. Yacht crew generally live on board yachts full-time and go wherever the yacht goes. This means that one day you might be in Spain, the other day in France, and it could be a while before you can go back home to see your friends and family. It's a unique lifestyle with lots of perks but not necessarily a great match for everyone. If you are a hardworking and adventurous individual though, it could be just what you're looking for!

6. To be able to keep the 22 tonnes of exterior glass that make Oceanico’s yacht DAR, German glass maker TILSE had to develop a special sealant and glue that had to be approved by Lloyd’s

The most obvious feature of the 90m / 295ft superyacht DAR is the seamless black glass that encloses the superstructure. Oceanco’s task was to enhance the views from inside while keeping the outside from looking in. Even with lights on, it is impossible to make out what is behind the glass from the outside.

To be able to keep the 22 tonnes of exterior glass, German glass maker TILSE had to develop a special sealant and glue that had to be approved by Lloyd’s.

7. Clients from the United States own the largest share of superyachts over 40m / 130ft, owning 23% of the total world fleet

American buyers have had the largest share of superyachts over 40m in length at the end of 2021, with a share of 23%, followed by Russian owners with 9% of the fleet, and United Kingdom and Greece with 6% each. Turkey and Italy close out the list of top owning countries with 5% each.

Clients from the United States have purchased the most new-build yachts over 40 metres in the past 10 years, having acquired 18% of all of these yachts.

8. At 107m / 350ft Black Pearl is one of the largest and most ecological sailing yachts in the world

Black Pearl is a yacht of superlatives. With her three 70m carbon masts she can set 2,900 square metres of sail on the world’s largest Dynarig system. The masts have a folding system that allows the yacht to pass safely through the Panama Canal.

According to her manufacturer, Oceanco, she can cross the Atlantic without burning even a later of fossil fuel. This is thanks to her innovative propulsion system that harvests kinetic energy under sail.

Under sail, the boat’s propellers turn backwards, generating up to 480kW of power for use and storage on board. This allows the boat to operate silently for extended periods.

9. Explorer yachts are gaining popularity with its built segment growth of 33%

According to the Global Order Book published by BOAT International, there is a recorded 33% rise in expedition yacht build. Explorer yachts are built to be able to cruise in the most remote areas of the world, which allows the owners and guests to discover new regions.

Clients are curious. They want to explore, see and experience remote and unique regions of the world such as the Polar Areas, French Polynesia, Fiji, Galapagos, etc.

10. German superyacht yard Lürssen is set out to build the first yacht without a combustion engine

In April 2021, Lürssen announced that it had sold its first yacht with hydrogen fuel cells fuelled by methanol. Delivery of the yacht is scheduled for 2025 and the technology will allow the owner to spend more than 15 nights at anchor or cruise of more than 1,000 nautical miles, both completely emissions-free.

“I think it’s a clear signal that owners who already invest substantial amounts in building yachts are willing to invest that extra bit of money to go and dare say make that quantum leap of furthering propulsion technology and power technology on a yacht and this will be a game-changer especially since it has a lot of practical use," said Lürssen managing partner, Peter Lürssen.

Are you looking for a job onboard a yacht?

Become a member of YPI CREW through a free registration and let us connect you with the next step in your career.

Each of our recruiters is specialised in recruitment for a particular department and they will do their best to get you an interview onboard a yacht. They will also advise qualified crew how to best present their CV and prepare for a yacht job interview .

Are you looking for yacht crew for your yacht?

Get in touch with us so our recruiters can connect you with suitable, available and interested candidates, each of which will be checked, certified, pre-interviewed and ensured to be a perfect fit to your existing crew.

You can get in touch with us today by clicking here .

YACHT CREW GUIDES

IS YACHTING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR ME?

Essential yacht guides

Mandatory certificates

What you need to know about B1/B2 visa

How to prepare for a yacht interview?

10 superyacht facts you probably didn’t know about

TIPS & TRICKS

HOW TO WRITE A MEMORABLE YACHTING CV

YACHT CREW SALARY GUIDE

Error 404 — page not found, we’re sorry, we couldn’t find what you were looking for.

Please return to the YPI CREW homepage

Let’s get started. Call us on +33 (0)4 92 90 46 10 or email us.

Our mission, vision and values, mlc 2006 compliance, essential guides, yacht crew positions.

Chief Officer

Second Officer

Third Officer

Chief Engineer

Interior Crew

Head of Service

Head of Housekeeping

Specialist Positions

Spa Manager

Spa Therapist

Personal Trainer & Yoga Instructor

Hairdresser

Mandatory Certificates

B1/b2 visa information, how to write a memorable cv, how to prepare for an interview, yachting seasons, yacht crew salary guide, is yachting the right choice for me, cv templates, ocean mapping, new to yachting.

+33 (0)4 92 90 46 10

[email protected]

8 most interesting facts about sailing and boats

October 19, 2020

Ahoy there! As boaters, skippers and sailing enthusiast, some of the members of our team started looking up interesting and fun facts about sailing, during one of our trips.

Having some time to kill during one of our trips on the glistening Turkish Blue Coast , we starting telling stories heard from fellow boaters.

In truth, the discussion started over reviewing the key statistics about the recreational boating industry , which we were curious about since we were about to launch our free smart boating app , designed for making us safer together, to provide easier planning and smartly track our performance.

Tired of numbers, we started sharing knowledge and stories we have heard, right before making port.

So, after that, we thought “Hey, why not share our fun moments as a community with our future community members and with the users of our great new app .”

Having decided that, and after a little research, we came up with this:

1. Difference between a boat and a ship

Did you know the most important difference between a Boat and a Ship is actually the weight? It turns out that if a vessel weighs 500 tones or more it’s classified as a ship since this is the weight you need in order to carry a boat. To always know the difference, remember “A ship can carry a boat, but a boat cannot carry a ship.”

From all the specifications that separate the two, we can count areas of operations (ships operated in oceanic areas and high seas; boats operate in smaller or/and restricted water areas), method of propulsion (boats use sails, motor, or human power and ships have dedicated engines for propulsion), technology, crew, cargo capacity, construction and design.

2. To whistle or not to whistle… on a boat

Did you know that cooks on board ships in the old days were the only ones allowed to whistle? Strange, right? But apparently this proved they were not using their mouths to eat the food as long as they whistled. Other crew members would not whistle since superstitiously they would think whistling would summon strong winds.

In contrast with this, having a woman giving birth to a male child on board was a sign of good luck. The children born on the ship used to be called “son of a gun”.

3. Sometimes size does not really matter

Image source

Did you know that the ship Christopher Columbus used to reach America was actually small? Well, it was small compared to today’s standards. The Santa Maria was no longer than 70 feet, about the size of a modern bus and weighing around 200-600 tons. It carried a crew of 52 members.

The original name of Santa Maria was La Gallega in reference to the place where the ship was built. Christopher Columbus changed the name of the ship to Santa Maria de la Immaculate Concepción.

4. Distance make the heart grow fonder

Did you know that statistics say that boaters and anglers are more satisfied with their marriages and friendships compared with people who don’t participate in these activities?

Also they are more likely to recycle, compost trash, use compact fluorescent lightbulbs, carpool, donate money to environmental organizations, actively trying to reduce their carbon footprint and are more likely to have close relationships with their children. This comes out of a study published some years ago by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation.

5. Treasure on sea

Did you know that Tommy Thompson was a treasure hunter that located a ship that sank in 1857 called the SS Central America and recovered over $1 billion worth of gold from the several tons the ship carried? However, the strange thing is that he never paid back his crew or investors, and hasn’t been seen in years.

They are literally hundreds if not thousands of treasures all around the ocean floor. It is estimated to be over 20 million tons of gold. Do you feel lucky?

“The ocean is the world’s greatest museum,” says marine archaeologist Peter Campbell.

6. Look the other way

Did you know that in 2004 a party yacht tripped over on Lake Travis when the passengers all moved to one side of the boat as it passed a nude sunbathers beach in Texas?

7. 3 days under water. How is that even possible?

Did you know that there was a man that survived under the sea for three days? You wonder how that was possible?

Well, it seems that in 2013, the chef of a sunken ship survived for 3 days under the ocean after taking refuge in an air pocket of the ship, that by this time had come to rest upside down on the seafloor at a depth of about 100 feet (30 meters).

8. “Quarantine” and its origins

At distance, but still together

Some facts and numbers

You know about QR codes! Make use of them for your business in a smart way. Here is how.

Look no further! At our company, we value our customers and their feedback. We want to give you a voice in the development of our product.

By providing feedback on our platform, you’ll receive 50% off for life should you choose to continue using it.

© 2022 IQNautics, BV. All right reserved.

Skip to primary navigation
Skip to main content
Skip to footer

Boat Names Australia

Design your own Boat Names Easily and Online

15 Facts About Boats & Ships That Will Surprise You!

A boat in a magnificent watercraft. Sometimes boating over the oceans can work as a treatment for your frustrated and stressed life.

Most of the time, people prefer boating to spend quality time with my family and friends.

Today we thought to provide you with some amazing and fun facts about Boats and Ships that may fascinate you, so here we go!!

15 Amazing Boat Facts

Boats were used in Sumeria, ancient Egypt, and in the Indian Ocean between 4000 and 3000 BC.
Laura Dekker is the youngest individual to sail around the world. She’s a 14-year-old who went off to sail around the world in 2012 when she was 16 and finished her trip 518 days later.
You may find this fact very funny you know why? If a boat has more than 500 tones, it is known as a ship. A boat can be carried out by ship.
The first ship to reach America had only 40 people on board, including Christopher Columbus . It was the size of a bus and did not exceed 70 feet.
Vasa is a Swedish warship known to have sunk in 1628 and recovered in 1961. After spending centuries in the water, this ship was still completely undamaged and in good shape. It’s actually the only vessel left in the 17th century. This ship is now located in the Vasa Museum in Stockholm, which was built as a tribute to this ship.
Renaming boats, historically, changing the name of a ship was considered bad luck. However, before the name is revealed or anything with a new name enters the boat, the purging and renaming ceremony is conducted if you need to change the name of the boat.
Bananas on a boat are seen as bad luck particularly in fishing boats. It is thought that the fish will not bite on a hook if the bananas are nearby boat. On the other hand, finding a cat on a boat is considered good luck, even if it’s a black cat. Cats eat rats, keep the boat clean and safe.
A study was published in 2004 showing that retiring to a cruise ship was often as cost-effective as retiring to a retirement home and was more efficient in ensuring the quality of life.
It is said during the Battle off Samar, a single American destroyer charged forward against a huge Japanese force. The ship did so much damage to the Japanese that when she sank, a passing Japanese ship saluted the sinking vessel.
After knowing this fact you may say what a coincidence it is said that, over a period of 200 years, three ships were killed at the same location on the coast of Wales on the same day (December 5th) and all three had only one survivor. All three of the survivors had the same name: Hugh Williams.
In 2013, after taking refuge in the air pocket of the ship, the head of a sunken ship survived for three days beneath the ocean.
A flight by Air Canada took a detour in 2012 to find a stranded Australian sailboat. Only 25 minutes after the distress signal was activated did the passengers of the Boeing 777 find the yacht.
A Chinese female prostitute named Ching Shih was one of the mightiest pirates who ever lived. There were 1,800 ships and 80,000 sailors under her control.
Steamboat Willie was the first Disney cartoon with sound, released on November 18, 1928, and is also celebrated as the birthday of Mickey Mouse.
To prevent capture, a Dutch warship was disguised as a tropical island during World War II. It was the only ship to survive in its own class.

Custom designed boat graphics for Dad's New Toy

Owning a boat is FUN!

When it comes to exploring the seas, nothing is more fun than having a boat. Spending quality time with family, going fishing whenever you want, and having a hobby to work on after huge working hours are just bits among the many perks that come with boats.

Boat names and stickers are one of the inseparable parts of your vehicle to happiness. And we make those things possible my producing high-quality marine grade boat graphics and decals for you. Join the community of our happy customers and never worry about your boat decals anymore. Contact us today to know more about boat graphics and decals.

Boat Graphics Kits
Boat Name Ideas
Fish Graphics Kits
Boat Striping Tape

CONNECT WITH US

Shipping & Returns
Boat Name FAQs
Gift Card Balance

Time for a bigger boat? Check out what the Palm Beach International Boat Show has to offer

Whether you're the son of a son of a sailor or even just love that song and want to know more, the granddaddy of all boating events is happening this weekend along the West Palm Beach waterfront.

That's right, the Palm Beach International Boat Show is back for four glorious days along Flagler Drive.

This will be the 42nd annual event, and organizers promise it will be bigger and better than ever.

There will be $1.2 billion worth of Bond-worthy super yachts, cruisers, sportfishing boats, center consoles and even inflatables to see and tour, along with attractions and activities highlighting the latest in boat engines, motors and accessories. There will also be the latest fishing gear and even fishing seminars.

Yes, it's a big event, but don't be intimidated. In fact, here are seven fun facts about the show:

How many boats can this boat show boast?

There will be more than 800 boats on display along the floating docks in the Intracoastal Waterway.

More: Best downtown West Palm Beach restaurants to try during Palm Beach International Boat Show

What is the biggest boat at the boat show?

With a length of 236 feet (and 38 feet wide), Casino Royale takes the title for largest boat this year. This gorgeous yacht, designed for her exterior lines by Francesco Paszkowski with interior by Paszkowski’s interior lead designer Margherita Casprini, is also one of the most technically advanced yachts in her category. Casino Royale is powered by twin Caterpillar 3516B main engines and has an impressive top speed of 17.5 knots. You can put your checkbooks away for this one, however, as she is only on display and not for sale.

This boat is the boat show's most epensive

Built in 2022 and 196-feet long, Come Together is listed for $59,950,000. This expedition yacht was delivered by the Dutch shipyard Amels and features interior styling by British designer Winch Design. It can comfortably accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins along with 14 crew members.

Are spectators allowed to go on the boats?

To go onboard the yachts and superyachts, visitors must make an appointment with the brokers. For the smaller boats, however, spectators can come onboard if they are interested in buying.

What is the smallest boat?

The smallest boat being displayed on the water is a runabout boat that is 22-feet-6-inches long, and 5-feet-11 wide. It is manufactured by Hermes.

Eating inside the boat show

The show will have dozens of food concessions featuring almost anything you could be craving, from Greek gyros to woodfired picanha, authentic street tacos and hand-crafted burgers. On a seafood diet? Enjoy fresh stone crab claws, calamari, oysters, and much more! Vegetarian, vegan, and/or gluten-free? No problem; they have options for you as well.

And libations at the boat show?

Of course there will be drinks. To be precise, there will be four bars for general admission guests, including two floating cocktail barges: the Goslings Island Bar and the Anheuser-Busch Barge. In addition there will be multiple bars in the Windward VIP Club.

What: Palm Beach International Boat Show

Where: Downtown West Palm Beach along Flagler Drive from Banyan Boulevard south to Lakeview Avenue

When: noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 24

Cost: Adult one-day tickets $33, adult two-day tickets $60; child (ages 6 to 15) one-day tickets $17.

Information: pbboatshow.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected] . Help support our journalism. Subscribe today .

Online Monitor
Privacy Policy
Charter Base
General Terms and Conditions
Instructions for Yachts
Yacht Sales
About Yacht Investment
Elan Exclusive Distributor
Aquatoria Yachting School
Test your Knowledge
Regattas & Flotillas
Our Services
Route Catalogue
Skipper Info Book
Why Aquatoria Yachting
Our partners

Five interesting facts about yachting, You may not know:

1. The first sailing yacht "fighting" pirates

More than a thousand years ago, people already knew how to use a sail and catch the wind with it, but it is very difficult to call the sailing ships created at that time "yachts". The history of the sailing yacht begins in the 17th century, when the Dutch, tired of the constant pirate "influx", decided to build small maneuverable high-speed ships with a sail to patrol the coastline. Society immediately appreciated all the advantages of "fast" yachts, and they began to be used in different directions: mail, trade, military training, for recreation and pleasure trips.

2. Regattas originally from England

The" fast "yachts so impressed eyewitnesses that in the same 17th century, Charles II decided to hold a race between his brand-new yacht" Catherine "and the yacht" Anna", which was owned by his brother – the Duke of York. But alas, as sometimes happens, the race ended in a fighting "draw".

3. "Palace" on the water

The largest sailing yacht belongs to Russian businessman Andrey Melnichenko.

The length of the vessel is 142 meters, and the height of the masts is 100 meters! The" highlight " of this yacht is a place to observe the underwater world with touch control, located in the keel of the ship, and to swim and watch fish.

4. One in the sea-warrior

How many stories we know about sailing around the world! However, the first person to circumnavigate the world alone was the canadian-American Navigator Joshua Slocum. At the end of the XIX century, the yacht "Spray" together with its captain heroically passed this test! But it might not have been: Joshua's dad was absolutely against such a hobby… Oh, how many toy sailboats were destroyed by the father before the eyes of the future discoverer!

5. What is scarier than a woman on Board?

Of course, superstition is an individual matter for each of the extreme sports. But one of the strangest superstitions in yachting is the ban on the presence of bananas. The roots of superstition go back to the 18th century, namely to the banana merchants.

There are 2 versions: 1) in Order for the bananas not to spoil, the sailors had to go faster to the place of sale, which means they did not have time for a snack at all. Therefore, the sailors returned completely exhausted and often fell ill. 2) Bananas negatively affect other fruits and contribute to their rapid rotting. Therefore, it is forbidden to carry them on some ships to this day. And, by the way, you shouldn't bring flowers on Board either. In earlier times, flowers were perceived as part of the funeral ritual. Sailors did not allow flowers even as presents before a long voyage, and when they received a bouquet, they threw it overboard.

Interesting facts about boats

A boat is a generic term for small watercraft propelled by paddles, oars, sail, or motor, open or partially decked, and usually less than 45 feet (roughly 14 metres) in length. A vessel larger than this is customarily classed as a ship, although the word boat is often applied to certain working vessels—such as tugboats—that may be of considerable size.

Humans have tended to live near water, and it is natural to make use of things that float. Logs or bundles of reeds can be lashed together to form rafts – hollow trunks can be improved to become dugout canoes. Once the principle of a watertight hull is understood, animal hides or the bark of trees can be attached to a framework of bamboo or wicker to make a simple coracle.

Circumstantial evidence, such as the early settlement of Australia over 40,000 years ago , findings in Crete dated 130,000 years ago , and in Flores dated to 900,000 years ago , suggest that boats have been used since prehistoric times.

The earliest boats are thought to have been dugouts, and the oldest boats found by archaeological excavation date from around 7,000–10,000 years ago .

The oldest recovered boat in the world , the Pesse canoe , found in the Netherlands, is a dugout made from the hollowed tree trunk of a Pinus sylvestris that was constructed somewhere between 8200 and 7600 BC . This canoe is exhibited in the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands. Other very old dugout boats have also been recovered.

Rafts have operated for at least 8,000 years . A 7,000-year-old seagoing reed boat has been found at site H3 in Kuwait.

Both the earliest civilizations, the Egyptian and the Mesopotamian , make extensive use of boats for transport on the Nile , Euphrates and Tigris . The Nile in particular provides a superbly predictable thoroughfare, for the wind always blows from north to south and the current always flows from south to north. Egyptian boats sail upstream, hoisting a large rectangular sail, and then are rowed back down the river.

The Egyptians , with access to the Mediterranean, also use larger seagoing vessels . These become known as ‘Byblos’ boats , revealing that their trade is with the eastern coast of the Mediterranean.

About 3000 BC , the Scandinavians were also building innovative boats. People living near Kongens Lyngby in Denmark, came up with the idea of segregated hull compartments, which allowed the size of boats to gradually be increased. A crew of some two dozen paddled the wooden Hjortspring boat across the Baltic Sea long before the rise of the Roman Empire. Scandinavians continued to develop better ships, incorporating iron and other metal into the design and developing oars for propulsion.

Many indigenous peoples of the Americas built bark canoes . They were usually skinned with birch bark over a light wooden frame, but other types could be used if birch was scarce. At a typical length of 4.3 m (14 ft) and weight of 23 kg (50 lb), the canoes were light enough to be portaged, yet could carry a lot of cargo, even in shallow water.

Kayaks were originally developed by the Inuit, Yup’ik, and Aleut . They used the boats to hunt on inland lakes, rivers and coastal waters of the Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic, Bering Sea and North Pacific oceans. These first kayaks were constructed from stitched seal or other animal skins stretched over a wood or whalebone-skeleton frame. Kayaks are believed to be at least 4,000 years old. The oldest kayaks remaining are exhibited in the North America department of the State Museum of Ethnology in Munich, with the oldest dating from 1577.

The Vikings started building longboats in 1000 AD . These are huge boats that can hold 60 people. These boats are thin and long – very suitable for sailing on rivers and high seas. Around AD 1100, the Chinese started utilizing boats called junk. Junks are boats with a steering rudder, watertight compartments and braces on the sails. These lodges and slats make them more grounded.

The earliest history of recreational boating begins with kings and royal regattas on the Thames River in the mid-1600s .

During the 17th century , the British developed the dogger , an early type of sailing trawler or longliner, which commonly operated in the North Sea. Doggers were slow but sturdy, capable of fishing in the rough conditions of the North Sea.

Dories appeared in New England fishing towns sometime after the early 18th century . They were small, shallow-draft boats, usually about five to seven metres (15 to 22 feet) long. Lightweight and versatile, with high sides, a flat bottom and sharp bows, they were easy and cheap to build.

The l argest parade of boats consists of 1,180 boats as part of the Malaysia Day celebrations in Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia, on 13 September 2014.

Facts About Boats

If you have ever been on a boat you already know how much fun it is.

Boats have been around for thousands of years and play an important role in our lives.

We depend on these “water-vehicles” for many things.

Read on to discover all about boats.

We will be exploring the history of the boat, the different types of boats and so much more.

So grab your lifejacket and lets dive right in.

Quick Navigation

The History of Boats

Believe it or not, the first known boat dates back around 8,000 years ago.

Although boats have been around a long time, the Ancient Egyptians were the first to be credited for it.

They made them from the papyrus plant. These boats were long and thin and were used for short trips or fishing along the Nile.

As time went on, the Egyptians became more knowledgeable about the construction of boats.

In fact, these early people learned how to make many different types of these water-vehicles.

Wooden Boats: these boats were made from the acacia tree and also from cedar they imported from Lebanon.

The Egyptians then added a sail to make traveling faster and easier.

Cargo Ships: As time went on, they learned how to construct bigger boats. These were so sturdy they could hold 500 tons of rocks!

Funeral Boats : these small model boats were used in funerals.

The boat would be buried with a person to help carry them to the afterlife. Some Pharaohs actually had full-size boats buried with them in their tombs.

Ponder This: the early Egyptians didn’t have any nails. How did they keep their boats from falling apart? Find the answer in More Freaky Factoids.

It’s All About the Buoyancy

We know that boats float, but did you ever wonder how it happens?

The science behind this wonder is really quite simple. It’s called, Buoyancy.

Buoyancy is an invisible upward force. This force goes to work when an object is placed in the water (or any liquid).

If the object is very dense (like a stone) then the force cannot hold it up and it sinks.

The object must be less dense than the water.

When people first started making boats, they realized they needed to hollow them out.

This makes them less dense and allows the water to exert enough force to keep it afloat.

Ponder This: which boat do you think will move faster, a flat-bottom or a v-shaped bottom?

Types of Boats

Since humans learned how to navigate through the water, they began to build many types of boats. Read on to see how many different boats we use today.

Cargo ships
Cruise ships
Motor boats

Ponder This: a megayacht is a type of luxury boat owned by a person or even a company. These boats can reach tremendous lengths. How long do you think the biggest megayacht is?

What NOT to Do On a Boat

Since people don’t float all that well, there are some things you should never do on a boat. Check out our safety rules for fun boating.

Lean over the side as far as you can. This includes having someone hold onto your ankles so you can touch the water.
Use your Nana’s underwear as a sail. She won’t be happy.
Spit into the wind as you are zooming along.
Yell, “man overboard” while flailing your arms with a shocked look on your face.
Don’t yell “shark” either.
Do cartwheels
Rock back and forth as hard as you can, no matter how much your sister screams. It’s not a carnival ride.

Ponder This: what is the one thing you should ALWAYS do in a boat?

More Freaky Factoids

We haven’t floated over all the fun just yet. Here are the answers to your ponder these questions and more freaky facts. Check it out.

Boat Facts for Kids

The back part of a boat is called, the stern?
The front of the boat is a bow?
The tall pole on a sailboat is called, the mast?
The body of a boat is the hull?
The right, forward-facing side of a boat is called starboard?
The left side of a boat is the port?
The person in charge of the boat is called, Captain?
You should always wear a lifejacket in a boat? Even if you are a great swimmer,
Lifejacket are specially designed vests will keep you afloat.
The Egyptians used short planks in the construction of their early boats? These were hooked together then tied tightly with ropes.
A V-shaped bottom boat will move faster than a flat-bottomed? This is because a flat surface has more contact with the water. This creates more drag on the boat, which makes it slow and harder to move.
Megayachts can reach lengths of 150 meters long (492 feet)?

Now that you have learned all these fascinating facts, you can float over to your friends and family to share your new-found knowledge.

You might just become known as “the captain of the best boat facts ever.”

12 Sensational Facts about Super Yachts

We’ve all seen the photos of these marine beauties – enormous boats owned or chartered by the mega rich floating on turquoise waters all across the globe! It takes something special to take a simple boat to super yacht status, and these opulent floating dreams are one of the ultimate displays of wealth and luxury. Here are some fun facts about super yachts that might just fascinate you.

1. What’s the biggest super yacht in the world?

The world’s ‘most super’ yacht is the Azzam . It’s the biggest of them all when it comes to sheer number of guests, and it’s around 590 feet long. It also cost an impressive $600 million to bring to life, over the course of four years. It was owned by the late, former UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.

2. These are more than just boats alone!

Super yachts are often regarded as being so ‘super’ thanks to the sheer variety of extras they come packed with. For example, did you know that some super yachts arrive with helipads, cinemas, gyms and pools? What’s wrong with just taking a cruise, honestly?

3. Running a super yacht is a costly business!

Super yachts on their own cost a pretty penny, but underneath all of that glamour and pizzazz, there’s running fees! It’s though that $3 billion a year is shelled out, overall, just to keep these beauties running. In fact, you can expect to spend approximately 10% of the total value of a super yacht just to keep it running per year.

The Black Pearl

4. But, they won’t stay pricey forever.

It’s a misconception that super yachts gain value over time. In fact, they are very likely to dip in price – luxury tastes change over the years, and as such, super yacht values will depreciate. Better buy in fast, then!

5. Old boats don’t come cheap…

Much of the depreciation you’ll expect from your super yacht arises thanks to rising costs. For example, did you know that the older your boat, the more it’ll cost to keep it on the water and running?

6. America is big on super yachts!

The US owns more super yachts than any other country in the world, and up until 2022, when Russian assets were seized due to curtailment during the Ukraine War, Russia was close behind in second.

7. Building one of these beauties takes time and money.

Building super yachts isn’t cheap, either. In fact, you can estimate the average cost by multiplying each meter of boat by a million dollars!

8. You’ll need lots of help to run a super yacht!

Given the size and complexity of super yachts, it’s reasonable to expect these boats to possess some form of crew on board. In fact, it’s likely you will find at least five people – up to ten in some cases – helping to run various areas of the ship.

9. Could super yachts pose a threat?

There are even some super yachts that come with weapons attached. For example, the Radiant is a super yacht that possesses guns designed to deafen enemies! It’s even got the potential to sink opposing ships if need be!

The Moonrise super-yacht, off the coast of Split, Croatia

10. An orchestra at sea?

Speaking of super yachts that have impressive toys and extra features, the Al Said outstrips many thanks to its incredible concert hall! It’s said that up to 50 members of an orchestra could comfortably play in here.

11. Floating artworks!

Many billionaires use super yachts purely to store expensive artworks – meaning that they are effectively galleries of the sea!

12. Scrapping super yachts makes very little.

Believe it or not, you won’t be able to make money from scrap when it comes to super yachts. They tend to lack steel in their build, meaning they don’t hold that much value when trading on after they’ve been used up.

FAQs about Super Yachts

How many super yachts exist.

There are said to be less than 9,000 super yachts in existence - they are a rare and expensive breed, indeed!

How much does it cost to rent a super yacht?

It’s thought that catamarans measuring more than 80 feet in length, and classed as super yachts, cost at least $40,000 per night to hire!

How much fuel do super yachts consume?

Super yachts consume a huge amount of fuel per hour - up to 130 gallons every 60 minutes if you’re constantly running the engine!

Do you know any interesting facts about super yachts? Share them in the comments below!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This page was last modified on July 29, 2023. Suggest an edit

Related 'Art & Design' Facts

12 Crazy Facts about Chrysler

Exploring the Legacy of Vintage Corgi Matchbox Cars

9 Dynamic Facts about Delta Airlines

Share these facts, there are 1000s of interesting and fun facts to learn about our planet..

Explore our world map to discover some fascinating facts for every country…

Explore our world map and discover facts for every country

Latest Facts

56 Ultimate Facts about the 1930s

36 Ultimate Facts about the 1940s

22 Fierce Facts about the 1950s

54 Ultimate Facts about the 1960s

17 Ultimate Facts about the 1970s

Fact of the Day
In This Year
On This Day
Super Yachts

Press ESC to close

30 Interesting Facts About Ships and Boats

Here are 30 Interesting Facts About Ships and Boats.

1-5 Facts About Ships and Boats

1. A Frenchwoman, Jeanne de Clisson, became a pirate in the 1300’s to revenge her husband’s death who was beheaded. She sold her lands to buy 3 ships. They were painted black with red sails. She hunted French ships, caught nobles, whom she personally beheaded with an axe. – Source

2. In 1812, an American ship rescued a British crew stranded on an island. While the Americans went out to search for food for the extra crew, the British took over the ship and left the Americans stranded on the island. – Source

3. A man who survived the fire and sinking of a ship in 1871, left him emotionally scarred. About 41 years later, he finally was able to overcome his fears and nightmares, deciding to sail again, only to die in the sinking of a new ship, the Titanic. – Source

4. In 1861 a slave took over a confederate ship and delivered it to the Union. He later was given the ship to command during the Civil War. After the war, he bought the house he was a slave in, and became a US congressman. – Source

6-10 Facts About Ships and Boats

6. Despite never having received naval training or participating in naval combat prior to the war, and constantly being outnumbered and out-supplied, Admiral Yi Sun Shin defeated 333 Japanese ships with only 13 Korean ships at the Battle of Myeongnyang. – Source

7. While shooting Pirates XXX on a ship in Florida, the ship owner was told the movie was a “Disney film for families.” – Source

8. A treasure hunter named Tommy Thompson located a ship that sank in 1857 called the SS Central America. The ship carried several tons of gold, and in 1987, he recovered over $1 billion worth of gold from it. He never paid back his crew or investors, and hasn’t been seen in years. – Source

9. The real crew on the Captain Phillips’ ship say that he is a fraud, he endangered them, the film is a lie, and they sued for “willful, wanton and conscious disregard for their safety.” – Source

10. There is an old abandoned Russian cruise ship roaming international waters since 2013. – Source

11-15 Facts About Ships and Boats

11. A ship named Baychimo abandoned off the coast of Alaska in 1931 was spotted, still adrift in the Arctic, in 1969. – Source

12. Swedish warship Vasa sank in 1628 and was recovered from the ocean in 1961 almost completely intact. This is the only remaining intact ship from the 1600’s. This ship is housed in The Vasa Museum in Stockholm Sweden, a museum built around the ship. – Source

13. Chunosuke Matsuyama, a Japanese Seamen, sent a message in a bottle in 1784 that his ship had wrecked. It washed up in 1935 in the village where he was born. – Source

14. A ferry sank in the Baltic Sea in 1994. The ship and 852 passengers are still at the bottom of the sea, and it is illegal to dive to it. – Source

15. After France refused to deliver five missile boats Israel bought from them, Israel executed a heist to steal the boats and piloted them back to Israel. – Source

16-20 Facts About Ships and Boats

16. In 2004, a party yacht tipped over when the passengers all moved to one side of the boat as it passed a nude beach in Texas. – Source

17. In 2005, a tour bus driver for the Dave Matthews Band released the bus’ septic tank over a grate above the Chicago River. A boat full of sightseers was below at the time, and its passengers were covered with 800 lbs of human waste. – Source

18. Archimedes developed an anti-ship weapon called the Claw of Archimedes. It lifted a ship by the prow then dropped it, often causing the vessel to capsize or at least severely damaging it. – Source

19. During WW2, a Dutch warship was disguised as a tropical island to escape detection by the Japanese. It was the only ship of its class to survive. – Source

20. An intact steamboat from 1856 was excavated in 1988 under 45 feet of dirt in a farmer’s field. Thousands of artifacts were excavated and preserved so well that some of the food was still edible. – Source

21-25 Facts About Ships and Boats

21. In 2004, a study was published showing that retiring to a cruise ship was often as cost effective as retiring to a retirement home and was more effective in providing quality of life. – Source

22. In 2012, an Air Canada flight took a detour to find a stranded Australian yacht. The passengers of the Boeing 777 found the yacht only 25 minutes after the distress beacon was activated. – Source

23. Edgar Allen Poe wrote a novel in 1838 about a shipwreck where the survivors ate one of their own, Richard Parker. About 46 years later, a yacht called the Mignonette sank, leaving 4 survivors. They too ate one of the survivors, a cabin boy named Richard Parker. – Source

24. One of the mightiest pirates that ever lived was a Chinese female prostitute named Ching Shih. She controlled 1,800 ships and 80,000 sailors. – Source

25. When researchers from Texas State University, studying the 17th century pirate Captain Morgan ran out of funds while attempting to retrieve artifacts from his sunken ships off the coast of Panama, none other than the Captain Morgan rum company granted them money to continue their work. – Source

26-30 Facts About Ships and Boats

26. Whenever a pirate stopped a merchant ship, it was not uncommon for a handful of merchant crewmen to join the pirates. – Source

27. Over a period of 200 years, 3 ships perished at the same location of the coast of Wales, on the same day (December 5th) and all three had only one survivor. The 3 survivors all had the same name: Hugh Williams. – Source

28. In 2013, the chef of a sunken ship survived for 3 days under the ocean after taking refuge in an air pocket of the ship.- Source

29. Quarantine comes from the Latin word for 40, which was the number of a days a ship had to wait to dock because of the plague. – Source

30. During the Battle off Samar, a single American destroyer charged forward against a huge Japanese force. The ship did so much damage to the Japanese that when she sank, a passing Japanese ship saluted the sinking vessel. – Source

Categorized in:

Last Update: November 9, 2021

What Bartenders Know: Mastering the Alchemy of Drinks

How to Find the Right Supplements for Your Needs: A Guide

DIY Cabinet Magic: Advice for Building Your Own Storage Solutions

10 Mind-Boggling Facts About the World’s Most

5 Boating Facts that may surprise you

Boating has been around for approximately 8,000 years, and as you can imagine there are some fascinating boating facts floating around! From the Stone Age dugouts to today’s tight knit boating community, life on the water is full of surprising moments. Check out a few of our favorite fun facts from all those years in between:

1. 14-year-old Laura Dekker was the youngest person to solo sail around the world

2. the english word “quarantine” comes from 17th century boating terminology, 3. ship speeds are measured in knots– literally.

One knot equals one nautical mile per hour. The term ”knots” comes from the 17th century when sailors measured the speed of their ship by using a “common log,” a rope tied with equally spaced knots. The common log would trail behind the boat for a specific amount of time before the sailors would count how many knots had passed. This estimated their speed.

4. Sailing has been in the Olympics since 1900

The Tokyo Olympics are in full swing this year and the summer games wouldn’t be complete without some boating! Sailing is one of the longest running Olympic sports with a debut at the world games in 1900. Since then,the competition was omitted only once in the 1904 Summer Olympics. More boating facts — Sailing is one of the only sports where men and women compete simultaneously. Great Britain has won the most gold medals in sailing, which reflects its status as the country where the competitive sport developed. Close behind is the USA, while other perennial medal-winners include Norway, Spain, and France.

5. The COVID-19 pandemic created a boom in boat sales

As people spent increasingly more time at home, they began to see the value of buying boats and watercrafts so they could safely enjoy the great outdoors. An estimated $47 billion was spent in the US on buying boats in 2020. With boat sales skyrocketing last year, the trend shows no signs of slowing in 2021. As we welcome more boaters onto the waterways, we offer our services to connect eager boaters with private dock owners to safely rent out their docks while making some extra money.

The world of boating has so much rich history and we are looking forward to the future. Visit us next month for more boating facts.

We hope to make private docksharing a part of every boater’s life, just like a common log in the 17th century. Let’s make history together! Happy boating!

151 Facts About The History Of Boats That Will Amaze You

Archaeological evidence proves the use of boats in the prehistoric period before 900,000 years. Learn more about the history of boats here!

Fun Facts About Boats

History of boats-timeline, materials used to make boats, uses of boats in ancient times.

Boats have been used by humankind for several thousand years.

The earliest boats were mere logs or rafts made of reeds. Today, we use boats of various kinds, such as motorized boats, paddle boats, boats with oars, among many others.

These days, you may find boats in innumerable styles and sizes. From travel to fishing, sports to recreation, boats have been used by people for various reasons too! Boats are much smaller sailing vessels than ships. While ships are meant for cargo and passenger movement in the seas and oceans, boats are primarily used for fishing and inland water transportation.

The size and material of construction of a boat differ according to the purpose for which it is intended to be used. Wood, fiberglass, and aluminum are some of the materials used in building boats.

Well! If you are curious to know more about the boat's journey in the past, continue reading for fascinating information on boats.

If you enjoy reading this article, you will surely enjoy our other articles on the history of cars and the history of glow sticks . Don't miss reading these!

Have you ever been on a boat? Smaller boats such as canoes, rafts, or sailboats are designed for inland water bodies like rivers, lakes, or streams. However, larger boats or ships, which include military ships, cruise ships, yachts, and cargo ships, are designed for voyages across the oceans and seas. Boating is one of the most fun-filled and enjoyable activities. Not just boating, but the facts about boats can be equally interesting.

The Netherlanders are thought to have built the first boats in the world. The Pesse canoe, a dugout made from the trunk of the scotch pine tree, is the oldest found boat in the world. It was constructed between 8200 BC and 7600 BC. It is on display in the Drents Museum, the Netherlands.

Since ancient times, several myths have existed regarding boats. Early sailors believed in several superstitions and luck to guide them through their travels. For instance, seeing sea birds was considered a good omen. Sailors also believed that finding cats on a boat brought good fortune. Sailors practice spitting into the sea before sailing to bring good luck. Tattooing images of a compass rose is thought to bring good luck to sailors.

Carrying bananas on the boat is believed to bring bad luck to fishing boats. Whistling is thought to bring strong winds and rough weather. Traveling with women and red-haired people is also considered to bring bad omens.

These beliefs may sound silly, but many of these myths and omens continue among sailors even today.

In some places, houseboats are used to attract tourists. The houseboats have all the facilities similar to a house on land. Most boats are not motorized but moored to remain stationary all year long.

The Austronesian people from Taiwan were those who developed the first sailing ships that sailed on the sea. Outriggers, catamarans, and craw claw sails were a few of their inventions that have sailed far across the oceans.

Initially, boat propulsion was done by manual means, including paddling, rowing, or setting poles. Some boats sailed with the wind as a natural propellor. As we progressed, we developed advanced mechanical engines. For example, punts were boats propelled by poles. Other human-powered boats are kayaks, canoes, and gondolas.

Boats have been a vital element in trade and commerce. In the past, archaeological evidence suggests the use of boats as trade vessels between the Indus Valley Civilization and Mesopotamia.

The Uru, the traditional sailing vessel made of teak wood in Kerala, southwestern India, has been used since ancient times. The Arabs and Greeks of ancient times used uruses as trading vessels. Urus had a transport capacity of about 440 US tons ( 399 met ton)

Power vessels or sailing boats with good aesthetic qualities used for cruising, pleasure, or racing, which are at least 33 ft (10 m) long, are called yachts.

The Dutch invented the first yacht in the 14th century. Initially, the boats were used to chase out pirates and smugglers. However, later, these small boats sailed out to celebrate their merchant ships' return.

The world's largest ship today is the Symphony of the Seas. It is 1,184 ft (361 m) long, 216 ft (65.7 m) wide, has a gross tonnage of 228,081, and has a passenger capacity of up to 6,680 people.

Humans have been using boats since the prehistoric era. Yet, studies suggest that the first boats worthy of sail were most likely to have been built much earlier in time, around 800,000 years ago. Surprisingly, these boats were not built by humans but by their ancestors, the Homo Erectus - the upright primitive man.

However, John Fitch, an American inventor, takes credit for inventing the first steamboat. From boats made of logs and reeds to advanced large ships, yachts, and cruise liners, the journey of boats in history has been incredible. Let us look into the timeline that highlights some of the significant milestones in ship and boat building.

Several millennia ago, people created rafts using logs and the bark of trees and used them to sail through water. They used animal hides to cover the frames of the boats. Later, they used tree trunks, hollowed them out, and made dugouts.

Around 4,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians made the first sailing boats by tying up reeds together to sail through the Nile river. They used the papyrus reeds, which grew widely along the river and its delta region. This was called the skiff. Today, the Egyptian boat is called the felucca.

By 2500 BC, wooden boats were made by the Egyptians, who enabled them to sail across the seas and oceans.

Around 1550 BC, the Canaan civilization in Syria and Lebanon used the galley, a ship propelled by oars.

By 1000 AD, the longships of the Vikings became the epitome of the naval power of Scandinavia. Viking longships were marine vessels from Ireland and Scandinavia used for warfare, exploration, trade, and commerce. The long and narrow designs of these ships enabled them to sail in the open sea and on rivers.

Around the second century AD, the Chinese came up with their own sailing ships, called junk. The junks had up to five masts, projecting bows, and were designed with watertight compartments and steering rudders. The Chinese junks were used in warfare and transportation.

Since the 1450s wooden ships, with up to four masts, came into service and were used by travelers and explorers of several countries. They were also used as trade vessels and for warfare.

By the 1800s, British and American shipyards constructed merchant vessels called ' clipper ships ' for cargo and passengers. These ships were known for their speed.

In 1818, shipping companies also used steam power in ships along with wind power . The first steamship navigated across the Atlantic Ocean.

In the 1850s, Glasgow's John Elder invented the marine compound engine.

The mid of the 19th century also saw the introduction of ocean liners into the shipping industry.

Later by the end of the century, riverboats with paddle wheels on either side, called paddle steamers, became the primary mode of transport on rivers.

In 1910, there was a change in the fuel used in ships. Diesel power replaced coal, and oil was used in place of steam.

In 1980, cargo transportation saw a significant change with the use of container ships to move cargo. Cargo ships can carry as many as one thousand containers stacked on deck at a time.

By the end of the 20th century, in the '90s, passenger cruise ships were widely used for holidaying. The cruise ships had state-of-the-art facilities, including restaurants, pools, and other recreational activities.

Boats are used for several purposes. Depending on the intended purpose, they differ in style, size, and construction material. From prehistoric times till today, boats and ships have been built using a wide range of materials. With advancements in technology and intellect, we employ new materials in boat and ship-building. These materials are subject to their availability and local traditions.

Prehistoric boats or rafts required only primitive cutting tools. Materials such as wooden logs, bamboo, or reeds were tied together using palm fibers or vines.

Later, when civilizations developed, natural materials continued to be used in building boats. Most boats were made of things available in the wild—primarily wood and other materials such as animal skins, barks of trees, and reeds.

Until the mid of the 19th century, early boats included reed boats, canoes made of birch tree bark, kayaks made of animal hide, dugout canoes, and coracles made of logs.

Later, many boats were built using steel frames or iron, along with wooden planks. Due to the reduced cost of steel, steel ships and boats have gradually begun to be widely used. Soon, steel boats replaced wooden boats in fishing fleets and industrial boats.

Around the '20s, pleasure boats and recreational boats made of galvanized iron and aluminum became widely used. Later, in the mid of the 20th century, fiberglass boats became popular. These boats are strong and corrosion-resistant. However, they can have structural degradation because of sunlight and temperature variations. Foam is also used as a layer between wood and fiberglass.

In 1955, Christopher Cockerell developed hovercraft boats that were designed to stay afloat on cushions. The engines provided propulsion to the boat by blowing air into these cushions, besides giving them a lift.

Today, people have gotten creative with innovative ideas for making boats; rafts made of hundreds of plastic bottles and Styrofoam are examples.

Boats played a significant role in the lives of ancient people. Boats are used for many purposes these days. From exploration to recreation, transportation to holidaying, boats and ships are used in several spheres. However, ancient times were different. It is believed that boats were probably an accidental invention by the Homo Erectus, our human ancestors. What did they use boats for?

Prehistoric rafts were used mainly for fishing needs.

Over a million years ago, they used them for water transportation, long before human beings.

In the ancient days, the most crucial purpose of a boat was to travel through water bodies such as lakes and rivers. Early boats were the chief means of water transport that facilitated trade and contact with distant areas.

Besides, early vessels were used in exploration and warfare too.

Many civilizations used boats in ways specific to them. For instance, the Egyptians used papyrus reed boats to transport royal mummies across the river Nile to their tombs. The early boat carried almost everything-from food grains to coffins across the river.

Kings moved Gods' deities from one temple to another.

Here at Kidadl , we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 151 facts about the history of boats that will amaze you, then why not take a look at the history of cooking oil or the history of drinking straws ?

We Want Your Photos!

More for you, 75 physics trivia questions (and answers) that defy all expectations, national biographer's day.

Bachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

Sridevi Tolety Bachelor of Science specializing in Botany, Master of Science specializing in Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs

With a Master's degree in clinical research from Manipal University and a PG Diploma in journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Sridevi has cultivated her passion for writing across various domains. She has authored a wide range of articles, blogs, travelogues, creative content, and short stories that have been published in leading magazines, newspapers, and websites. Sridevi is fluent in four languages and enjoys spending her spare time with loved ones. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, cooking, painting, and listening to music.

1) Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the Buy Now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published but we cannot guarantee that on the time of reading. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.

2) At Kidadl, we strive to recommend the very best activities and events. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.

3) Because we are an educational resource, we have quotes and facts about a range of historical and modern figures. We do not endorse the actions of or rhetoric of all the people included in these collections, but we think they are important for growing minds to learn about under the guidance of parents or guardians.

google form TBD

Español NEW

Boat facts for kids

A boat is a vehicle used to travel on water . It is smaller than a ship and can be lifted out of the water and carried on a ship. Some boats have sails , some are powered by rowing with oars , and some use motors .

These boats are usually made of wood . However, some parts are made of metals like steel and aluminium . Expensive boats may have parts from fiberglass or composite materials and some even have helicopter pads. There are some boats that can even go underwater. They are called submarines .

Parts and terminology

Building materials, image gallery, images for kids.

Dugouts are the oldest type of boats found by archaeologists, and boats have served as transportation since the earliest times. Circumstantial evidence, such as the early settlement of Australia over 40,000 years ago, findings in Crete dated 130,000 years ago, and findings in Flores dated to 900,000 years ago, suggest that boats have been used since prehistoric times. The earliest boats are thought to have been logboats, and the oldest boats found by archaeological excavation date from around 7,000–10,000 years ago. The oldest recovered boat in the world is the Pesse canoe , a dugout made from the hollowed tree trunk of a Pinus sylvestris and constructed somewhere between 8200 and 7600 BC. This canoe is exhibited in the Drents Museum in Assen, Netherlands. Other very old dugout boats have also been recovered. Rafts have operated for at least 8,000 years. A 7,000-year-old seagoing reed boat has been found in Kuwait . Boats were used between 4000 and 3000 BC in Sumer , ancient Egypt and in the Indian Ocean .

Boats played an important role in the commerce between the Indus Valley Civilization and Mesopotamia . Evidence of varying models of boats has also been discovered at various Indus Valley archaeological sites. Uru craft originate in Beypore, a village in south Calicut , Kerala , in southwestern India . This type of mammoth wooden ship was constructed using teak, without any iron, and had a transport capacity of 400 tonnes. The ancient Arabs and Greeks used such boats as trading vessels.

The historians Herodotus , Pliny the Elder and Strabo record the use of boats for commerce, travel, and military purposes.

Boats can be categorized into three main types:

Unpowered or human-powered boats. Unpowered boats include rafts and floats meant for one-way downstream travel. Human-powered boats include canoes , kayaks , gondolas and boats propelled by poles like a punt .
Sailboats , which are propelled solely by means of sails .
Motorboats , which are propelled by mechanical means, such as engines.

Several key components make up the main structure of most boats. The hull is the main structural component of the boat and provides buoyancy. The gunnel, which make up the sides of the boat, offers protection from water and makes the boat harder to sink. The roughly horizontal, chambered structures spanning the hull of the boat are referred to as the deck. A ship often has several decks, but a boat is unlikely to have more than one, if any. Above the deck are the superstructures. The underside of a deck is the deck head.

An enclosed space on a boat is referred to as a cabin. Several structures make up a cabin, including a coach-roof, which is a lightweight structure which spans a raised cabin. The "floor" of a cabin is properly known as the sole, but is more likely to be called the floor (a floor is properly, a structural member which ties a frame to the keelson and keel). The vertical surfaces dividing the internal space are bulkheads.

The keel is a lengthwise structural member to which the frames are fixed (sometimes referred to as a "backbone").

The front (or fore end) of a boat is called the bow. Boats of earlier times often featured a figurehead protruding from the bow. The rear (or aft end) of the boat is called the stern. The right side (facing forward) is starboard and the left side is port.

Nearly every boat is given a name by the owner, and this is how the boat is referred to in the boating community, and in some cases, in legal or title paperwork. Boat names vary from whimsical to humorous to serious.

Until the mid-19th century most boats were made of natural materials, primarily wood, although reed , bark and animal skins were also used. Early boats include the bound-reed style of boat seen in Ancient Egypt, the birch bark canoe , the animal hide-covered kayak and coracle and the dugout canoe made from a single log.

Bill Streever describes a boat made by the native Inupiat people in Barrow, Alaska as "a skin boat, an umiaq , built from the stitched hides of bearded seals and used to hunt bowhead whales in the open-water leads during spring...".

By the mid-19th century, many boats had been built with iron or steel frames but still planked in wood. In 1855 ferro-cement boat construction was patented by the French, who coined the name "ferciment". This is a system by which a steel or iron wire framework is built in the shape of a boat's hull and covered (trowelled) over with cement. Reinforced with bulkheads and other internal structure, it is strong but heavy, easily repaired, and, if sealed properly, will not leak or corrode. These materials and methods were copied all over the world and have faded in and out of popularity to the present time.

As the forests of Britain and Europe continued to be over-harvested to supply the keels of larger wooden boats, and the Bessemer process ( patented in 1855) cheapened the cost of steel, steel ships and boats began to be more common. By the 1930s boats built entirely of steel from frames to plating were seen replacing wooden boats in many industrial uses, also for fishing fleets. Private recreational boats of steel are however uncommon. In 1895 WH Mullins produced steel boats of galvanized iron and by 1930 became the world's largest producer of pleasure boats. Mullins also offered boats in aluminum from 1895 through 1899 and once again in the 1920's In the mid-20th century aluminium gained popularity. Though much more expensive than steel, there are now aluminum alloys available that do not corrode in salt water, and an aluminium boat built to similar load carrying standards is lighter in weight than the steel equivalent . Around the mid-1960s, boats made of glass-reinforced plastic , more commonly known as fibreglass , became popular, especially for recreational boats. The United States Coast Guard refers to such boats as 'FRP' (for fibre-reinforced plastic) boats.

Fibreglass boats are strong, and do not rust (iron oxide), corrode, or rot. They are, however susceptible to structural degradation from sunlight and extremes in temperature over their lifespan. Fibreglass provides structural strength, especially when long woven strands are laid, sometimes from bow to stern, and then soaked in epoxy or polyester resin to form the hull. Whether hand laid or built in a mould, Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) boats usually have an outer coating of gelcoat, which is a thin solid colored layer of polyester resin that adds no structural strength, but does create a smooth surface which can be buffed to a high shine and also acts as a protective layer against sunlight. FRP structures can be made stiffer with sandwich panels, where the FRP encloses a lightweight core such as balsa or foam. Cored FRP is most often found in decking, which helps keep down weight that will be carried above the waterline. The addition of wood makes the cored structure of the boat susceptible to rotting, which puts a greater emphasis on not allowing damaged sandwich structures to go unrepaired. Plastic based foam cores are less vulnerable. The phrase 'advanced composites' in FRP construction may indicate the addition of carbon fibre, Kevlar or other similar materials, but it may also indicate methods designed to introduce less expensive and, by at least one yacht surveyor's eyewitness accounts, less structurally sound materials.

Cold moulding is similar to FRP in as much as it involves the use of epoxy or polyester resins, but the structural component is wood instead of fibreglass. In cold moulding very thin strips of wood are layered over a form or mould. Each layer is coated with resin and another directionally alternating layer is laid on top. In some processes the subsequent layers are stapled or otherwise mechanically fastened to the previous layers, but in other processes the layers are weighted or even vacuum bagged to hold them together while the resin sets. Layers are built up until the required hull thickness is achieved.

Boats or watercraft have also been made of materials such as foam or plastic, but most homebuilts today are built of plywood and either painted or covered with a layer of fibreglass and resin.

The most common means of boat propulsion are as follows:

Inboard/outboard (stern drive)
Paddle wheel
Water jet (personal water craft, jetboat)
Air fans ( hovercraft , air boat)
Human power ( rowing , paddling, setting pole etc.)
Wind power ( sailing )

An early, uncommon means of boat propulsion is represented by the water caterpillar. This boat was moved by a series of paddles on chains along the bottom to propel it over the water and preceded the development of tracked vehicles.

A floating boat displaces its weight in water. The material of the boat hull may be denser than water, but if this is the case then it forms only the outer layer. If the boat floats, the mass of the boat (plus contents) as a whole divided by the volume below the waterline is equal to the density of water (1 kg/l). If weight is added to the boat, the volume below the waterline will increase to keep the weight balance equal, and so the boat sinks a little to compensate.

Plastic molded boat.

Anchored boats in Portovenere, Italy

wooden boat in Morocco

A boat in an Egyptian tomb, painted around 1450 BC

These dugout boats were photographed in the courtyard of the Old Military Hospital in the Historic Center of Quito

A boat on the Ganges River

Babur crossing river Son; folio from an illustrated manuscript of ‘Babur-Namah’, Mughal, Akbar Period, AD 1598

A tugboat is used for towing or pushing another, larger vessel

Aluminum flat-bottomed boats ashore for storage

A ship's derelict lifeboat, built of steel, rusting away in the wetlands of Folly Island , South Carolina , United States

wooden boat In a small Moroccan village

A wooden boat operating near shore

Ming Dynasty Chinese painting of the Wanli Emperor enjoying a boat ride on a river with an entourage of guards and courtiers

A boat shaped like a sauce bottle that was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean by Tom McClean

Boats rental, Germany

A recreational motorboat with an outboard motor

Silver model of a boat, tomb PG 789, Royal Cemetery of Ur, 2600-2500 BCE.

This page was last modified on 9 February 2024, at 08:50. Suggest an edit .

Cabo Yacht Life Team
36 Foot Searay Yacht – Our Famous “Cateleya”
47 Foot Searay Yacht – “Cabo Yacht Life”
52 Foot Flybridge Yacht “Opulence”
36 Foot Cataleya
47 Foot Cabo Yacht Life
52 Foot Opulence
Our Services
Live Aboard Yacht Charters: Multi-Days & Nights
Our Food Menu
Cancellation Policy
5 Fun Facts About Cabo

Cabo is an amazing town. No wonder why millions of foreign enthusiastic tourists and permanent residents go to Cabo every year. Its long and fairytale-like history reveals itself in everyday life. It’s known as a haven for yachts, sport fishing, nightlife, golf, and where the desert meets the sea. However, the cultural and social diversity provides unbelievable stories.

If you believe you know everything about the Cabo, we bet you don’t. To feed your curiosity, scroll down to read some interesting facts about Los Cabos, Mexico you might have never heard before.

1. The Marlin Capital of the World.

Cabo San Lucas is known as “Land’s End” as it is the last piece of land in the Baja California Peninsula.

Fishing tournaments, charter captains , and famous fishing spots. You name it, Cabo’s got the fishing. In fact, there are more marlin caught per hour in this year round sport fishery at the southern tip of Baja California than at anywhere else in the world. No lie! So it’s not a bit surprising that in less than twenty years, this once-sleepy fishing village has transformed not only into a huge spring break destination, but one of the best places to go bill fishing as well— thanks to all those famed worldwide anglers who flock here year after year.

In these deep blue Pacific waters, striped Marlins are readily abundant during the months from September to March, while Blue or Black Marlins swim freely about the ocean waves from June to October. This Mexican island getaway is also just great if you’re looking to hook into some dorado, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, sailfish, mako, or even a couple of hammerhead sharks. Plus, with the best weather you could ever hope for almost all the time, Cabo is the place to go for self-proclaimed fishing aficionados.

2. The World’s Aquarium

The Sea of Cortez has an almost legendary status among divers and marine naturalists. John Steinbeck wrote a book about his voyage here aboard a scientific collecting expedition in 1940. Jacques Cousteau famously called it “The World’s Aquarium”.

The 60,000-square-mile gulf is divided between a temperate zone north of La Paz, the state capital of Baja California Sur, and a warm-water “Panamic” zone (southward to Cabo San Lucas, on the peninsula’s tip). The confrontation and subtle mixing of these two ecosystems partly accounts for its richness: some 900 fish species and 32 types of marine mammal gather to feed and breed here. Massive blooms of plankton mean that even elusive blue whales are seen here, along with the gnarled humpbacks and grey whales that sound and breach in the bay, to the delight of whale-watching parties.

3. 6 Species of Whales Migrate Past Cabo

Whale watching means getting up close and personal with some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring wonders of the natural world. Humpback whales make up the majority of Cabo’s whale population, identifiable by their dark hue and playful nature. They migrate to Cabo San Lucas from November through April, spending the entire season there.

Gray whales are another frequent visitor off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, especially near Magdalena Bay from early January through mid-April. They travel in small groups and are often spotted close to shore. It is entirely possible that travelers will even be able to catch a glimpse of gray whales from land. These aren’t the only marine mammals you’ll see in Cabo, either. It’s not unheard-of to catch a glimpse of orcas, blue whales, sperm whales and fin whales, though they often pass through the area quickly without lingering long.

The best location for whale watching often depends on the species itself. Gray whale calves, for example, tend to remain in protected lagoons and coves to develop their hunting and survival skills, while humpback whale calves are more likely to venture into open waters and hunt for food close to shore.

Luckily, you won’t have to worry too much about chasing whales up and down the coast, as your whale-watching yacht captain and crew are also experts on the subject.

4. Cabo Nightlife

El Squid Roe, Cabo Wabo Cantina, the Gigglin’ Marlin, and many famous clubs!

The Cabo San Lucas nightlife attracts travelers from all over the world to let their hair down and celebrate. Friends and family come here for birthday getaways, bachelor parties, spring break trips, and simply for a beach vacation. No matter what brings you here, the Cabo nightlife offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for what to do in downtown Cabo, order a drink and have a dance at the nightclubs.

A night at El Squid Roe is one of the classic options for things to do in Cabo San Lucas, a club where you’ll find couples out on a date, friends partying, and even celebrities letting loose. The three floors of the club feel like a house party with a DJ playing music for all ages. People even climb on the tables to dance and waiters equipped with spray tanks of tequila. El Squid Roe is one of the most iconic Cabo San Lucas nightclubs.

The Cabo San Lucas nightlife attracts all sorts of celebrities including rock and roll legends. Many celebrities own villas because flights from Los Angeles land in just a couple hours. It’s not uncommon to see them out and about. Sammy Hagar, lead singer of Van Halen, has made Cabo his home away from home. Decades ago, he opened his own club called the Cabo Wabo Cantina .

Sammy Hagar developed “Cabo Wabo Tequila”. In 2007, he inked a deal to sell 80 percent of Cabo Wabo Tequila for $80 million dollars.

5. “Cabo” isn’t the Actual Name

“Cabo” is one of the most sought out destinations by North Americans. However, travelers simply refer to the place as, “Cabo”. The twin towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo are separated by a 20-mile stretch of coastline. The population growth rate is more than fifteen percent a year. For instance, the short flight time, improved security and ease of traveling are attractive to both vacationers and also potential home buyers.

Annually, more than 3 million people passengers pass through the Los Cabos airport. Incredibly, 90 percent of travelers come from the United States and Canada. The main draws are always light fishing and deep-sea fishing. If fishing and great weather 350 days per year are a passion there is no better place than being in Cabo San Lucas .

“Cabo” actually means “cape” if translated, literally. The correct term is actually “Los Cabos” because it means “two capes.”

There are an abundance of additional fun facts about Cabo and the surrounding areas. Please continue to follow our newsroom as we continue to shed light on some truly interesting facts about Cabo! As local experts with over 30 years of experience in the destination, please contact us with any questions or for more information about Cabo.

Author: Cabo Yacht Life

Apple says Justice Department suit alleging illegal monopoly over smartphones in US is ‘wrong on the facts and the law’

The Associated Press

March 21, 2024, 10:56 AM

Share This:
share on facebook
share on linkedin
share on email

WASHINGTON (AP) — Apple says Justice Department suit alleging illegal monopoly over smartphones in US is ‘wrong on the facts and the law.’

Related News

Federal Reserve still foresees 3 interest rate cuts this year despite bump in inflation

A wooden boat carrying dozens of Rohingya Muslim refugees capsizes off Indonesia’s coast

A South Korean chemical tanker capsizes off Japan, killing 8 and leaving 2 missing

Recommended.

'Elevated fire danger' in Virginia, Maryland: Why brush fires are sparking and spreading

Apple has kept an illegal monopoly over smartphones in US, Justice Department says in antitrust suit

Biden administration to forgive student loans for 78,000 public service workers

Related categories:.

Weather

Search location by ZIP code

Weather talk: spring equinox fun facts.

Copy Link Copy {copyShortcut} to copy Link copied!

GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

Meteorologist Tony Pann shares some fun facts about the Equinox as we count down the hours until the first day of spring.

12 surprising facts about pi to chew on this Pi Day

On Pi Day (March 14) we celebrate perhaps the most iconic irrational number on Earth. From its ancient origins to the unanswered questions, here are some of the most surprising facts about pi.

An illustration of the mathematical symbol pi etched into a piece of pi on a green background

Math nerds everywhere are digging into a slice of pie today to celebrate their most iconic irrational number: pi. After all, March 14, or 3/14, is the perfect time to honor the essential mathematical constant, whose first digits are 3.14.

Pi , or π, is the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. Because it is irrational, it can't be written as a fraction. Instead, it is an infinitely long, nonrepeating number.

But how was this irrational number discovered, and after thousands of years of being studied, does this number still have any secrets? From the number's ancient origins to its murky future, here are some of the most surprising facts about pi.

Related: The 9 most massive numbers in existence

Memorizing pi

The record for the most digits of pi memorized belongs to Rajveer Meena of Vellore, India, who recited 70,000 decimal places of pi over the course of 10 hours on March 21, 2015, according to Guinness World Records . (As of March 2024, Meena still holds this record.) Previously, Chao Lu, of China , who recited pi from memory to 67,890 places in 2005, held the record, according to Guinness World Records.

The unofficial record holder is Akira Haraguchi, who videotaped a performance of his recitation of 100,000 decimal places of pi in 2005, and more recently topped 117,000 decimal places, the Guardian reported.

Number enthusiasts have memorized many digits of pi. Many people use memory aids , such as mnemonic techniques known as piphilology, to help them remember. Often, they use poems written in Pilish (in which the number of letters in each word corresponds to a digit of pi). Speaking of which...

There's a pi "language"

Literary nerds invented a dialect known as Pilish, in which the numbers of letters in successive words match the digits of pi. For example, Mike Keith wrote the book "Not A Wake" (Vinculum Press, 2010) entirely in Pilish:

Now I fall, a tired suburbian in liquid under the trees, Drifting alongside forests simmering red in the twilight over Europe.

("Now" has three letters, "I" has one letter, "fall" has four letters, and so on.)

Exponential increase

Because pi is an infinite number, humans will, by definition, never determine every single digit of pi. However, the number of decimal places calculated has grown exponentially since pi's first use. The Babylonians thought the fraction 3 1/8 was good enough in 2000 B.C., while the ancient Chinese and the writers of the Old Testament (Kings 7:23) seemed perfectly happy to use the integer 3. But by 1665, Sir Isaac Newton had calculated pi to 16 decimal places. By 1719, French mathematician Thomas Fantet de Lagny had calculated 127 decimal places, according to "A History of Pi" (St. Martin's Press, 1976).

The advent of computers radically improved humans' knowledge of pi. Between 1949 and 1967, the number of known decimal places of pi skyrocketed from 2,037 on the ENIAC computer to 500,000 on the CDC 6600 in Paris, according to "A History of Pi" (St. Martin's Press, 1976).

Of course, the latest computations blow those early records out of the water.

The most digits of pi ever calculated

In 2021, researchers in Switzerland used a supercomputer to smash the existing record for calculating pi.

Running the supercomupter for 108 days straight, the team calculated pi to more than 62.8 trillion decimal places , blowing past the previous computational record by more than 12 trillion decimal places. That's a lot of pi.

This level of pi precision is unprecedented. However, it may be wasted on one of the world's top science agencies...

NASA only uses 16 digits of pi

How many digits of pi does NASA need to make high-precision calculations about the universe? Way less than you'd think. According to NASA officials, the space agency rarely needs to use more than 16 digits of pi (or 3.141592653589793) to make accurate calculations about our solar system and its cosmic neighborhood. Using any longer versions of pi start to give severely diminishing returns, according to NASA. For example: Earth has a diameter of around 7,900 miles (12,700 kilometers), which means its circumference is around 24,900 miles (40,100 km). If you were to calculate this circumference with the first 16 digits of pi and a more accurate version of pi with hundreds of decimal places, the difference between the two answers would be around 300 times less than the width of a human hair, according to NASA. When looking at the scale of the entire universe, larger versions of pi can be useful, the agency added. But with most of the interesting space action happening within our solar system, NASA rarely needs to go bigger than 3.141592653589793.

Hand-calculating pi

Those who are hoping to calculate pi using an old-fashioned technique can accomplish the task using a ruler, a can and a piece of string, or a protractor and a pencil. The downside of the can method is that it requires a can that is actually round, and the accuracy is limited by how well a person can loop string around its circumference. Similarly, drawing a circle with a protractor and then measuring its diameter or radius with a ruler involves a fair amount of dexterity and precision .

A more precise option is to use geometry. Break up a circle into multiple segments (such as eight or 10 pizza slices). Then, calculate the length of a straight line that would turn the slice into an isosceles triangle, which has two sides of equal length. Adding up all the sides yields a rough approximation for pi. The more slices you create, the more accurate the approximation of pi will be.

Discovery of pi

The ancient Babylonians knew of pi's existence nearly 4,000 years ago. A Babylonian tablet from between 1900 B.C. and 1680 B.C. calculates pi as 3.125, and the Rhind Mathematical Papyrus of 1650 B.C., a famous Egyptian mathematical document, lists a value of 3.1605. The King James Bible (I Kings 7:23) gives an approximation of pi in cubits, an archaic unit of length corresponding to the length of the forearm from the elbow to the middle finger tip (estimated at about 18 inches, or 46 centimeters), according to the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay . The Greek mathematician Archimedes (287-212 B.C.) approximated pi using the Pythagorean theorem , a geometric relationship between the length of a triangle's sides and the area of the polygons inside and outside of circles.

Pi rebranded

Prior to the association of the symbol pi with the circle constant, mathematicians had to say a mouthful to even describe the number. One phrase found in the old math books was the Latin phrase "quantitas in quam cum multiflicetur diameter, proveniet circumferencia," which roughly translates to "the quantity which, when the diameter is multiplied by it, yields the circumference," according to History Today .

The irrational number rocketed to fame when Swiss polymath Leonhard Euler used it in 1737 in his disquisitions on trigonometry. But it didn't get its pithier, Greek-symbol name from Euler. The first mention of pi as such occurred in a book by a lesser-known mathematician, William Jones, who used it in 1706 in his book "Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos." Jones likely used the symbol for pi to denote the periphery of a circle, according to the book "A History of Pi," (St. Martin's Press, 1976).

Is pi normal?

Pi is definitely weird, but is it normal? Though mathematicians have plumbed many of the mysteries of this irrational number, there are still some unanswered questions.

Mathematicians still don't know whether pi belongs in the club of so-called normal numbers — or numbers that have the same frequency of all the digits — meaning that 0 through 9 each occur 10 percent of the time, according to Trueb's website pi2e.ch . In a paper published Nov. 30, 2016, in the preprint journal arXiv , Trueb calculated that, at least based on the first 2.24 trillion digits, the frequency of the numbers 0 through 9 suggest pi is normal. Of course, given that pi has an infinite number of digits, the only way to show this for sure is to create an airtight math proof. So far, proofs for this most famous of irrational numbers has eluded scientists, though they have come up with some bounds on the properties and distribution of its digits.

Pi sounds divine

While scientists don't know whether pi is normal, they have a better understanding of its other traits. Eighteenth-century mathematician Johann Heinrich Lambert proved pi's irrationality by expressing the tangent of x using a continued fraction.

Later, mathematicians showed that pi was also transcendental. In math terminology, transcendental means the number can't be the solution to any polynomial that has rational number coefficients. In other words, there's no finite, root-finding formula that can be used to calculate pi using rational numbers.

Downgrading pi

While many mathletes are enamored with pi, there is a resistance movement growing. Some argue that pi is a derived quantity, and that the value tau (equal to twice pi) is a more intuitive irrational number.

Tau directly relates the circumference to the radius, which is a more mathematically consequential value, Michael Hartl, author of the "Tau Manifesto," previously told Live Science . Tau also works better in trigonometric calculations, so that tau/4 radians corresponds to an angle that sweeps a quarter of a circle, for instance.

Pi likes a party

There wasn’t always a Pi Day (filled with delectably filled pies, of course). In 1988, physicist Larry Shaw launched the pi-partying day at the San Francisco-based Exploratorium science museum. Every year, on March 14 (3/14) staff and visitors walk a circular parade (and yes the diameter of the circle is like pi times its circumference), each holding one of the infinite numbers of pi. But Pi Day didn’t become a national event until 2009, when the House of Representatives passed Resolution 224, " supporting the designation of Pi Day ". The goal? An increased interest in math and science. Let the celebrations begin!

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article was updated on March 14, 2024 to include new updates and information. Live Science contributor Tanya Lewis and editor Brandon Specktor contributed to this article.

Sign up for the Live Science daily newsletter now

Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.

Tia is the managing editor and was previously a senior writer for Live Science. Her work has appeared in Scientific American, Wired.com and other outlets. She holds a master's degree in bioengineering from the University of Washington, a graduate certificate in science writing from UC Santa Cruz and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin. Tia was part of a team at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that published the Empty Cradles series on preterm births, which won multiple awards, including the 2012 Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism.

Pi calculated to 105 trillion digits, smashing world record

Can you solve NASA's Pi Day 2024 riddle?

'Space headaches' are a literal pain for astronauts. Why do they happen?

RandySK Your article said: (and yes the diameter of the circle is like pi times its circumference) Actually, the circumference is pi times the diameter. Reply
View All 1 Comment

Super Cool Fun Facts About Antarctica For Kids

A ntarctica is the coolest place on Earth, literally . This icy continent stands out as one of the most unique and mysterious places on the planet, being that most people have never been there before . While it’s commonly known that Antarctica is home to various animals like whales and penguins, that’s pretty much where the knowledge stops. However, there is actually so much more to know about Antarctica that can teach you a lot about the Earth. These 10 fun facts about Antarctica are especially interesting for kids who have been introduced to the continent but want to know more.

Antarctica may be the third smallest continent after Australia and Europe, but it is mighty in the sense that there is no other continent like it . Antarctica is not a country but more like a giant desert, equipped with massive glaciers, no human population and, somehow, a couple of volcanoes. Uncover the mystery that is this continent and learn more with these fun facts.

1. Antarctica Holds Most of the World’s Fresh Water and Ice

The first of these fun facts about Antarctica for kids may come as no surprise since it’s all about ice. Antarctica is a frozen desert that holds around 90% of the world’s ice and 70% of its fresh water. The earth is still limited in supplies of fresh water because all of it in Antarctica is frozen in ice. The Antarctic ice sheet contains 30 million cubic kilometers of ice, which is enough to raise global sea levels by over 200 feet if it all melted.

2. Antarctica is the World’s Largest Desert

When you think of deserts, images of sandy, arid landscapes come to mind. However, Antarctica is actually the world’s largest desert, despite being covered in ice and snow. Antarctica is classified as a desert because its annual precipitation is less than 2 inches per year. This little amount of precipitation is significantly drier than many deserts you might picture This makes it the world’s largest desert at 5.4 million square miles, about 1.5 times the size of the Sahara Desert.

3. Antarctica Has the Lowest Population of Any Continent

Antarctica has no permanent human inhabitants unlike all other continents. This means there are no native people that are born and live in Antarctica. Only about 1000-5000 researchers and staff stay temporarily at research stations across the continent. This makes Antarctica the continent with the smallest population.

4. Emperor Penguins Only Live in Antarctica

The iconic Emperor penguin is the only penguin species that breeds exclusively in Antarctica. It undertakes an incredible breeding process where male penguins keep the egg warm in the middle of the Antarctic winter until it is ready to hatch. Emperor penguins are very well adapted to survive temperatures as low as -76°F (-60°C)!

5. Antarctica Contains the Southernmost Point on Earth

Picture a globe and imagine drawing a line right at the bottom. That spot marks the South Pole, and it’s located in Antarctica. The geographic South Pole in Antarctica marks the southernmost point on planet Earth. Here, all lines of longitude meet and all time zones are collapsed into one. Amundsen-Scott Station, a US research base, sits very close to the actual pole point. Travelers who venture to the South Pole experience extreme conditions. It’s a destination for scientists studying climate change, as well as for adventurous explorers seeking to conquer one of the most remote and challenging places on Earth.

6. The Coldest Temperature on Earth was Recorded in Antarctica

When discussing cold temperatures, Antarctica takes the crown. The lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth (-128.6°F / -89.2°C) was registered in 1983 at the Russian Vostok Station in Antarctica. On average, the interior of Antarctica is the coldest place on the planet. Antarctica’s high elevations, clear skies, and lack of heat-absorbing surfaces contribute to these frigid temperatures. It’s a place where winter lasts for months, and the icy winds seem to never relent. Just imagining such cold might send shivers down your spine.

7. Antarctica Has Active Volcanoes and Mountain Ranges

Here is one of the fun facts about Antarctica that may be hard to believe. The Transantarctic Mountain Range stretches over 3,000 km across Antarctica and contains two active volcanoes. These volcanoes are called Mount Erebus and Mount Melbourne. Erebus is one of only a few volcanoes in the world with an active lava lake. That’s right, there is somehow a lava lake surrounded by ice.

8. The Antarctica Treaty Declared the Continent as a Peaceful Site for Research

The Antarctic treaty, signed in 1959 by 12 countries, declared the continent should be set aside for peaceful research activities only. This means military activity, mineral mining and nuclear testing is banned on the continent, according to Jeanne Croteau for WeAreTeachers . Today, over 50 countries have signed the treaty regulating relations on the continent.

9. Parts of Antarctica are the Driest Deserts on Earth

Some areas in Antarctica’s dry valleys have seen no rainfall for nearly 2 million years. With moisture locked up in the ice, regions like the McMurdo Dry Valleys are amongst the world’s driest deserts. Research published by Montana State University reported that the average total annual precipitation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys is 6 cm.

10. Extreme Winds Make Antarctica One of the Windiest Places

The last of these fun facts about Antarctica for kids will figuratively and literally blow you away. Antarctica’s interior is affected by extreme Katabatic winds pouring down from the high polar plateau. Wind speeds have been recorded as high as 200 mph along the coast. This is amongst the strongest winds on Earth. These blasting winds add an extra chill factor to the freezing temperatures!

Check out these fun facts about Antarctica for kids. Pictured: a large group of Emperor penguins in Antarctica.

IMAGES

FACTS ABOUT YACHTS
12 Sensational Facts about Super Yachts
All You Need to Know about Sailing Yacht “A”: Infographic
World Largest Super Yacht interesting facts ⋆ Mega Yacht Guy
7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn't Know About
12 Sensational Facts about Super Yachts

COMMENTS

10 interesting fun facts about boats that you did not know
Here are some fun facts about boats that you might not have heard about. Good luck and back luck omens are different on a boat than on dry land. For instance, whistling on a boat is expected to bring upon strong winds and is therefore considered bad luck. Bananas on a boat are also seen as bad luck especially on fishing boats.
7 Interesting Facts About Yachts You Didn't Know About
Keep reading to learn more! 1. Yachts can come in all shapes and sizes. No two yachts are alike! Yachts can range in size from just a few feet long to over 400 feet long. And, they come in all sorts of shapes and designs. Some yachts are sleek and modern, while others are more traditional in style. There is sure to be a yacht out there that is ...
25 Interesting Facts About Sailing You Probably Don't Know
No, it's actually the other way around. 1. Sailboats are slow (but efficient) The average sailboat cruises at about 4-6 knots, (4-7 mph or 7-11 km/h) and has a top speed of 9 knots (10 mph or 17 km/h). It's just not that fast. That isn't to say there aren't any quick boats: they can be incredibly fast.
Fun Facts About Boats: 15 Boat Trivia Tidbits Every Captain Should Know
Fun Facts About Boat Names. Boat names can often reflect a sense of humor or personal connection to the owner. Throughout history, boat naming traditions have evolved, with some famous boat names becoming legendary. From the iconic 'Titanic' to the adventurous 'Endeavour,' these names carry stories and evoke a strong emotional bond with ...
11 facts about ships and boats that might surprise you
In fact, the only person allowed to whistle on a ship is the cook as it means he is not eating the food. Bananas might turn a boat's luck ill, too. Especially when it comes to fishing boats as it is believed that if bananas are aboard, the fish won't bite and there might be even mechanical mishaps. As soon as the hidden bananas are ...
Fun Facts About Yachts: Surprising Trivia About These Iconic Vessels
Yachts are a symbol of luxury and extravagance, often associated with the rich and famous. But beyond their opulent appearance and high price tags, yachts have a rich history and many interesting facts that may surprise you. In this blog post, we'll explore some fun facts about yachts that you may not have known before. Yachts are a symbol of luxury and extravagance, often associated with the ...
Top 101 Boating Facts and Factoids
Red sky at night, sailors delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning. When a halo rings the moon or sun, rain will come upon the run. Mackerel skies and mares' tails, make tall ships carry low sails. (Cirrus clouds, which resemble mackerels and the wisps of a horse's tail, indicate approaching storms.)
90 facts about sailing
8.Sailing is considered an extreme sport. In fact, as long as it is just sport, and not a world-class sport, the chances to become disabled, dye or go missing are quite small. Modern yachts, if a skipper is competent and the yacht is fixed, are quite safe. Everything is the same as with cars.
10 superyacht facts you probably didn't know about
Whether you are superyacht crew, a member of the superyacht industry or just a superyacht fan, we bet these are some of the facts about the industry you didn't know about! 1. There are currently 5,396 superyachts over 30m / 98ft in length operating in the world. According to the SuperYacht Times 'The State of Yachting 2022' report, as of ...
8 most interesting facts about sailing and boats
8. "Quarantine" and its origins. Did you know that the word "Quarantine" is strongly related to boating? The word itself comes from Latin and it meaning is "forty days". This was the number of a days a ship had to wait to dock because of the plague. So, these are just s couple of the fun things we did talk about that during our trip.
Yacht Facts for Kids
Kids Encyclopedia Facts. A yacht is a type of boat which is mainly used for recreation. It usually has a cabin, so it does not need to return to the harbour overnight. Originally, yachts were sailing-boats, but now there are also motor yachts. The name comes from the Dutch word jachtschip, which originally meant hunting-boat or fast boat.
15 Facts About Boats & Ships
If a boat has more than 500 tones, it is known as a ship. A boat can be carried out by ship. The first ship to reach America had only 40 people on board, including Christopher Columbus. It was the size of a bus and did not exceed 70 feet. Vasa is a Swedish warship known to have sunk in 1628 and recovered in 1961.
7 things to know before heading out to the International Boat Show
In fact, here are seven fun facts about the show: How many boats can this boat show boast? There will be more than 800 boats on display along the floating docks in the Intracoastal Waterway.
Five interesting facts about yachting
Five interesting facts about yachting, You may not know: 1. The first sailing yacht "fighting" pirates. More than a thousand years ago, people already knew how to use a sail and catch the wind with it, but it is very difficult to call the sailing ships created at that time "yachts". The history of the sailing yacht begins in the 17th century, when the Dutch, tired of the constant pirate ...
18 Fun Facts about Sailing
3. Sailing alone isn't unheard of. In 1898 Joshua Slocum, a Nova-Scotia-born American became the first man to sail around the world by himself. He also wrote a book about his journey named "Sailing alone around the world" which became an international best-seller. The second attempt was made 69 years later.
Interesting facts about boats
Interesting facts about boats. May 10, 2022 by admin. A boat is a generic term for small watercraft propelled by paddles, oars, sail, or motor, open or partially decked, and usually less than 45 feet (roughly 14 metres) in length. A vessel larger than this is customarily classed as a ship, although the word boat is often applied to certain ...
Boat Facts for Kids (All You Need to Know!)
This includes having someone hold onto your ankles so you can touch the water. Use your Nana's underwear as a sail. She won't be happy. Spit into the wind as you are zooming along. Yell, "man overboard" while flailing your arms with a shocked look on your face. Don't yell "shark" either.
12 Sensational Facts about Super Yachts
It takes something special to take a simple boat to super yacht status, and these opulent floating dreams are one of the ultimate displays of wealth and luxury. Here are some fun facts about super yachts that might just fascinate you. 1. What's the biggest super yacht in the world? The world's 'most super' yacht is the Azzam. It's the ...
30 Interesting Facts About Ships and Boats
21-25 Facts About Ships and Boats. 21. In 2004, a study was published showing that retiring to a cruise ship was often as cost effective as retiring to a retirement home and was more effective in providing quality of life. - Source. 22. In 2012, an Air Canada flight took a detour to find a stranded Australian yacht.
5 Boating Facts That May Surprise You
1. 14-year-old Laura Dekker was the youngest person to solo sail around the world. Dekker announced her plan to circumnavigate the globe in 2009 and started her journey in 2010 when she was just fourteen years old. Her entire trip took 518 days and ended when she was sixteen years old in 2012. Her forty-foot sailboat was named "Guppy" and ...
Fun Facts about the Mediterranean Sea
Yacht Tender & Toys Guide: For many, one of the big perks of booking a luxury yacht charter is the fact you get access to a number of fun water toys! Whether you are a thrill seeker looking to be towed behind the tender on waterskis, zipping around on the jetski, or prefer a quieter pastime like stand-up paddle boarding to an isolated beach ...
Facts About The History Of Boats That Will Amaze You
Boating is one of the most fun-filled and enjoyable activities. Not just boating, but the facts about boats can be equally interesting. The Netherlanders are thought to have built the first boats in the world. The Pesse canoe, a dugout made from the trunk of the scotch pine tree, is the oldest found boat in the world.
Boat Facts for Kids
Boat facts for kids. A boat with a sail on the Mississippi River. A boat is a vehicle used to travel on water. It is smaller than a ship and can be lifted out of the water and carried on a ship. Some boats have sails, some are powered by rowing with oars, and some use motors. These boats are usually made of wood.
5 Fun Facts About Cabo
To feed your curiosity, scroll down to read some interesting facts about Los Cabos, Mexico you might have never heard before. 1. The Marlin Capital of the World. Cabo San Lucas is known as "Land's End" as it is the last piece of land in the Baja California Peninsula. Fishing tournaments, charter captains, and famous fishing spots.
Apple says Justice Department suit alleging illegal monopoly over
WASHINGTON (AP) — Apple says Justice Department suit alleging illegal monopoly over smartphones in US is 'wrong on the facts and the law.'
When Is the First Day of Spring 2024? 11 Facts About the Spring ...
Get Reader's Digest's Read Up newsletter for more holiday insights, fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and tech all week long. The word equinox has an interesting meaning.
Weather Talk: Fun facts about the Spring Equinox
PANN. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE ALMOST THERE. WE ARE ALMOST LESS THAN TWO HOURS. RIGHT. SPRING. FIRST DAY OF SPRING TODAY. TONIGHT? YES, AT 1106 TONIGHT. AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ALWAYS ASK 12. YEAH. IT'S ...
Texas vs. Colorado State: No. 7 vs. No. 10 Seed March Madness Facts and
There is an interesting history of NCAA Tournament matchups between the No. 7 and No. 10 seeds. Since the NCAA Tournament field expanded in 1985, No. 10 seeds hold a 59-92 record against No. 7 ...
12 surprising facts about pi to chew on this Pi Day
But with most of the interesting space action happening within our solar system, NASA rarely needs to go bigger than 3.141592653589793. Hand-calculating pi (Image credit: Fouad A. Saad/Shutterstock)
Super Cool Fun Facts About Antarctica For Kids
The first of these fun facts about Antarctica for kids may come as no surprise since it's all about ice. Antarctica is a frozen desert that holds around 90% of the world's ice and 70% of its ...