Ships, shadows and sunshine.
There are multiple definitions for when a boat becomes a ship, including size, purpose, and other characteristics:
Size: Some say a ship is a vessel that's at least 197 feet (60 meters) long. Others say a ship is a large, ocean-faring vessel.
Purpose: A ship is a versatile vessel that can be used for commercial, military, or scientific purposes. A boat is often used for leisure activities.
Masts: A sailing ship may be defined as having at least three masts.
Deck: A ship may have a through-fitted deck, while a boat may have an open cockpit.
Weight: A ship may weigh at least 500 tonnes.
Crew: A ship may have a commander and a crew, while a boat may just have whomever is on it at the time.
Personal use: A vessel may be considered a yacht if it was constructed solely for personal use and has a combined occupancy of less than 100, including crew.
Submarines are technically ships, but they are traditionally referred to as boats. The original submarines were small and manned only when in use, so “boat” was appropriate.
Ships, shadows and sunshine.
There are multiple definitions for when a boat becomes a ship, including size, purpose, and other characteristics:
Size: Some say a ship is a vessel that's at least 197 feet (60 meters) long. Others say a ship is a large, ocean-faring vessel.
Purpose: A ship is a versatile vessel that can be used for commercial, military, or scientific purposes. A boat is often used for leisure activities.
Masts: A sailing ship may be defined as having at least three masts.
Deck: A ship may have a through-fitted deck, while a boat may have an open cockpit.
Weight: A ship may weigh at least 500 tonnes.
Crew: A ship may have a commander and a crew, while a boat may just have whomever is on it at the time.
Personal use: A vessel may be considered a yacht if it was constructed solely for personal use and has a combined occupancy of less than 100, including crew.
Submarines are technically ships, but they are traditionally referred to as boats. The original submarines were small and manned only when in use, so “boat” was appropriate.