What is the distinction between a boat and a ship?

Question

Or is there no difference?

Answer 1

There is no technical "line in the sand." There's no rule that says "a boat is x feet long or shorter, a ship is longer than x feet." There's not a difference when it comes to the theory and principals used in the design of a boat vs. a ship's hull.

Typically "A boat can fit on a ship, but a ship won't fit on a boat." really is the best answer you're going to get. That's the phrase my Dean of Naval Architecture used to answer this question when we asked him in our first ship design class.

Most seafaring vessels that carry cargo are considered ships - container ships, tankers, bulkers, cruise liners. Most privately owned vessels used for pleasure are boats.
There are also work boats - tug boats, offshore service vessels, ferries... these are commercial vessels, but usually too small to really be thought of as a ship.

It's not a particularly clear or satisfying answer, but I'm not sure you'll get a more precise answer that these. I don't believe one exists.

Answer 2

Everyone seems to agree that there is no clear distinction. The main factor is tradition. Ships are generally large ocean crossing surface vessels. Vessels in coastal waterways or on lakes (except for the Great Lakes) may generally be referred to as boats. If you are in a situation where you're not sure which to use, just call the craft a vessel (fishing vessel, tug towing vessel, landing vessel, cargo vessel, etc.). Vessel is politically correct for any boat or ship. Just don't ever call a large ocean crossing surface vessel 'a boat'.
p.s. calling a cruise ship 'The Love Boat' was intended to be a joke (either that or the writers didn't know the difference)

Answer 3

Numerous distinctions. The most common is what you're reading onhere. A boat will fit on a ship, but not vice/verse. Other distinctions include type of registration, tonnage, capacity, size, and use. There are 200 foot private yachts that carry boats, but are not considered ships, and there are similar sized cargo vessels in small countries that are.

Answer 4

there is no fine line distinction between the two. although, if you have a 30 foot vessel and a 900 foot tanker, it's fairly easy to say which is which.

however, when you enter the realm of vessels in the 100's of feet (i.e. megayachts), their usually pompous owners would try to call them ships, while others would still say 'boat'.

i suppose if you had to make a definite distinction, you could use planing ability. while boats can be either planing or displacement hulls, very rarely is the term 'planing ship' ever used.

i was on a 819' containership last year for a few months, and crewmembers would casually refer to the ship as a boat. "i cant wait to get off of this boat" "everything on this boat sucks" etc etc.

i hope that clears it up, but maybe thats going to confuse you even more. who knows!

Answer 5

As was told to me by an old Navy salt, "a boat will fit on a ship, but a ship won't fit on a boat." Except for submarines which are always boats!

Answer 6

A boat is a small vessel made for travel on water and a ship is a large seagoing vessel. Therfore, the answer is only size.

Answer 7

A boat is a vehicle that is on its own and travels through the water, a ship is a larger vehicle in the water and it has boats on it

Answer 8

tricky question -- just saw an ore boat go under the lift bridge this morning -- it was a 1000 footer ... in a local park there's a full size replica of a Viking long ship but it's less then 100 feet long -- so my answer is I have no idea..

Answer 9

The criterion I use is that a boat can fit on a ship.

Answer 10

It's all according to what you want to call it. There is no difference.