What do you consider to be 'The Topsides'

[Marine Reflections]

After a recent post, I found that there is some confusion over what 'topsides' actually are on a boat / yacht / ship.

I have it, that the topsides are from the waterline to the rubbing strake, except on a ship.

How do you see it?

 

[Tradewinds]

comme ça.

 

[Zagato]

As you say but think the services call the deck top side!!

 

[Georgio]

From top of A/F (or waterline) to the sheerline.

 

[PCUK]

Waterline to gunwale.

 

[Stork_III]

Waterline to toe rail, HR's have a rubbing strake below TR.

 

[VicS]

I always refer to the Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea

which says

topsides

1 That part of the side of a ship which is above the main wales. The term referred particularly to square-rigged sailing warships, where the main wales ran level with the bottom of the upper deck gunports. In its modern meaning it usually refers to that portion of the ship's side which rises above the upper deck though the term is often loosely used to refer to the upper deck itself. For example ‘I'm going topsides’ means ‘I'm going on the upper deck.’

2 The sides of yachts, above the boottop, are also known as topsides.​

 

[Greenheart]

From top of A/F (or waterline) to the sheerline.

The A/F?

I think I know less than before I started reading here! It'd help hugely if posters don't use abbreviations...

 

[VicS]

The A/F?

Antifouling

across flats when referring to nuts and bolts

 

[Kelpie]

The A/F?

I think I know less than before I started reading here! It'd help hugely if posters don't use abbreviations...

Admiral's Futtock.
You seriously shouldn't consider putting to sea if you don't have this feature on your boat.

 

[Lakesailor]

Don't say that. Dan doesn't need any excuse

 

[No Regrets]

Admiral's Futtock.
You seriously shouldn't consider putting to sea if you don't have this feature on your boat.

Thanks for that, I'm due to take a trip to the Kent coast in a couple of months, I'll see if I can get one off Ebay. What size is best, and do I need a certain colour? (Boat is off-white with black trimmings...)

 

[chinita]

So, I assume we would all agree that the 'hull' is the bit below the waterline.

 

[No Regrets]

So, I assume we would all agree that the 'hull' is the bit below the waterline.

I assume we all hope that not all of it is below the waterline!

The Hull would be the entire hull, regardless of it's state of submersion. Topsides are the part of the hull above waterline and below decks!

 

[prv]

Waterline to gunwale as others have said.

Unless you're filling in a CG66, where they seem to think it means deck and coachroof

Pete

 

[Greenheart]

The A/F?

Antifouling

across flats when referring to nuts and bolts

Thanks. I seem to remember A.F. was the Harrods sales-assistants' code, used to describe certain attractive lady-customers...Awfully Friendly.

 

[chinita]

I assume we all hope that not all of it is below the waterline!

The Hull would be the entire hull, regardless of it's state of submersion. Topsides are the part of the hull above waterline and below decks!

I agree.

However, if you read Paul Stevens Book 'Surveying Yachts and Small Craft' there seems to me to be a clear and logical distinction which he makes when producing a survey report:

SECTION 3, HULL BELOW WATERLINE

SECTION 4, TOPSIDES ABOVE WATERLINE INCLUDING RUBBING STRAKE


Whilst we can call the whole 'hull' the 'hull', it is more accurate to differentiate.

Perhaps some surveyors may care to comment on their nomenclature in their reports?

 

[single]

Waterline to gunwale as others have said.

Unless you're filling in a CG66, where they seem to think it means deck and coachroof

Pete

In that case my CG66 is completely wrong!