Motor Boat/Power Boat?

[nortada]

When does a motor boat become a power boat?

 

[ST840]

When it does not have a sail and moves only by power of an engine !!
Motor sailors I would class as a motor boat, pure engine propelled a power boat!

 

[BruceK]

I wondered that too. From what I can make out there is a subtle difference in that a powerboat is normally under 10m, fast and used for short excursions / day boating fresh or salt. A motor boat exceeds 10m and is a nautical (sea based) cruiser capable of longer distance travel. (I suppose in much the same way a mobo is referred to motor-yacht once it exceeds 40ft)

 

[Glenlivet]

Given that the RYA have powerboat levels 1,2 etc I'd be inclined to think anything primarily designed to be driven by an engine is classed as a powerboat.

 

[BruceK]

My understanding is the RYA use the term power to distinguish from sail. They then go on to class differently again.

 

[Bouba]

Unless there really is an official definition, I’ll venture to guess that a power boat is what we used to call a speed boat. A bit fast a bit nimble and looks like you could race with it, perhaps a cuddy. A motor boat includes those and also slow ones, like mine.

 

[Whitelighter]

And when does a powerboat be come a poweryacht, or indeed a motoryacht?

 

[andy59]

If its been discussed on here then it must be a Motor Boat

 

[BruceK]

Unless there really is an official definition, I’ll venture to guess that a power boat is what we used to call a speed boat. A bit fast a bit nimble and looks like you could race with it, perhaps a cuddy. A motor boat includes those and also slow ones, like mine.

I dont think official comes into it at all, just a colloquialism. All the old timers at my club become confused if I say Motor Boat, for them everything not under sail is simply power. So the colloquialism is also generational but in truth in their day a powered boat seldom exceeded 10m anyway and 40 foot really was a Yacht powered or not and that may be relevant. Powerboat in America I believe has completely different connotations and alludes to racing.

 

[Hambleite]

Keeping it simple, IMHO:

Less than 45 knots = motorboat

Greater than 45 knots = powerboat

There are, of course some exceptions such as under-powered Sunseekers and over-powered Pershings!

 

[CLB]

Speedboat, Sportsboat, Sports Cruiser, Motorboat, Powerboat, Motor Yacht, Power Yacht, Motor Cruiser, Cabin Cruiser

My 28 footer has been called all of these. Personally, I call it a motorboat.

 

[rubberduck]

I just call it the boat.

 

[CLB]

I just call it the boat.

Oh you have a boat. What sort of boat is it?

 

[ST840]

I bet it’s a white one !!?

 

[rubberduck]

Oh you have a boat. What sort of boat is it?

One that floats.

 

[Coaster]

I just call it the boat.

Me too.

But I also use other terms depending on context.

For example if looking for a marina berth the first criterion is usually length. So it's a 30' boat rather than sailing boat, motor cruiser, racing yacht, powerboat or whatever.

The same boat may be referred to differently depending on the circumstances.

 

[BruceK]

Lol. Context. It does depend on who Im talking to. To a fellow powered boater its a Sports Cruiser. With yotties its a Mobo. To non boating people its boat and then generally followed a moment later with motor boat because their assumption of boat is a sail boat. Usually a dingy. To friends and family its simply the Boatervan or her name.

 

[Hot Property]

I just call it the boat.

Swmbo says it's MY boat.....

 

[rubberduck]

Swmbo says it's MY boat.....

Know that feeling.