
Beam, Draft and Freeboard Measure Different Parts of a Boat
Read three common boat dimensions without confusing width, depth below the waterline and height above it. Keep definitions beside the measurement.
The coastal journal
Sailing language, quiet harbours and the things you notice when you slow down. An almanac for curious minds, afloat and ashore.


Read three common boat dimensions without confusing width, depth below the waterline and height above it. Keep definitions beside the measurement.

Keep a coastal journal readable by recording the date, clock time and UTC offset together, especially when you compare notes with photographs.

Use a simple shore-side sketch to practise descriptive observation while marking hidden features and avoiding technical conclusions from appearance alone.

Record the edition and stated update status of a nautical reference before using it for study, and keep historical reading separate from current operational information.