2007-02-23 01:17:32 · 20 answers · asked by GLENN P 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
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.
2007-02-23 03:35:33 · answer #1 · answered by Annie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its mainly in the size... you can put a boat on a ship but you cannot put a ship on a boat. Or you could look at it another way, a ship is a sailing vessel having three or more masts - square rigged on all. A boat is something that floats and can be a great source of fun and frolics. I have a boat for sale if anyone is interested....................
2007-02-25 03:58:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can put a Boat on a Ship but not the other way round.
2007-02-23 10:08:52 · answer #3 · answered by freddiem 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Navy defines a ship as being able to go to sea.and cross an ocean. A boat does not go into the "blue" water.(except as submarine)
There is a complicated volumetric formula used to determine if a boat can be documented that by measurement determines a ship . A 27 foot sailboat does not qualify a 30 footer does. But that does not mean that all 30 footers are capable of sea going voyages.
2007-02-23 09:24:08 · answer #4 · answered by science teacher 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tradcobdr is nearly there!
Basically,you can put a boat on a ship,but you cannot put a ship on a boat,unless in a bottle!
2007-02-23 10:06:38 · answer #5 · answered by aburobroy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Among sailing vessels, the distinction between ships and boats is that a ship is a square-rigged craft with at least three masts, and a boat isn't. With regard to motorized craft, a ship is a large vessel intended for oceangoing or at least deep-water transport, and a boat is anything else.
But that's too much to remember. Try this: ships have to be big enough to carry boats, and boats have to be small enough to be carried by ships.
2007-02-23 09:22:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
The difference in a boat and ship is the boat is what a few people ride in and enjoy, a ship is what numerous people ride in and work off of
2007-02-23 09:26:07 · answer #7 · answered by Ranger_man2007 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
a boat can fit on a ship but not the other way round
2007-02-23 09:33:24 · answer #8 · answered by tradcobdriver 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A ship is classified as anything over 10,000 tons with the exception of submarines which have always been classified as boats for some reason.
2007-02-23 09:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
A boat does not do very well in open seas. 40 foot is usually the defining length.
2007-02-23 09:22:11 · answer #10 · answered by Jimbo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋