Ships and Boats

[Superstrath]

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Isn't it a case of "you get on a ship but in to a boat"?

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RN bods serve, "in" such and such a ship. Proper seafarers serve "on" their ships.

Of course, the RN has "ships" made of bricks and mortar, and I have to admit that some North Sea supply ships of my experience are better described as "boats", due to their size.

 

[flaming]

My take on it.

It's a ship if calling it a boat just sounds daft.

 

[RestlessL]

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RN bods serve, "in" such and such a ship.

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If memory serves me correct, this didn't apply to HMS Opportune.

 

[aitchw]

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It's a ship if calling it a boat just sounds daft.

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Should be t'other way round!

 

[Plomong]

Boat: small open craft without any decking.
exceptions: fishing boats: sometimes decked or half-decked.
some yachts are also known as boats.

Ship: 1: sea-going vessel.
2: has bowsprit and three masts, square-rigged on all three.

All from: Oxford Dict.

 

[cliffordpope]

Remember the Kaiser's derogatory remark about Edward VII - "He's gone boating with his grocer". Meaning he was racing his yacht Britannia with Sir Thomas Lipton.