A watercraft is a vehicle, vessel or craft designed to move across (or through) water, including saltwater and freshwater, for pleasure, recreation, physical exercise, commerce, transport and military missions. It is derived from the term "craft" which was used as term to describe all types of water going vessels. (The term craft has since been expanded to include all types of vessels which travel on water (watercraft), in air (aircraft) and in space (spacecraft).)

Most watercraft would be described as either a ship or a boat. However, there are a number of craft which many people would consider neither a ship nor a boat, such as: canoes, kayaks, rafts, barges, catamarans, hydrofoils, windsurfers, surfboards (when used as a paddle board), jet skis, underwater robots, seaplanes, and torpedoes.

Although ships are typically larger than boats, the distinction between those two categories is not one of size per se.

  • Ships typically are large ocean-going vessels. Boats are smaller and travel most often on inland or coastal waters.
  • A rule of thumb says "a boat can fit on a ship, but a ship can't fit on a boat", and a ship usually has sufficient size to carry its own boats, such as lifeboats, dinghies, or runabouts.
  • Local law and regulation may define the exact size (or the number of masts) that distinguishes a ship from a boat.
  • Traditionally submarines were called "boats", perhaps reflecting their cramped conditions: small size reduces the need for power, and thus the need to surface or snorkel for a supply of the air that running diesel engines requires; in contrast, nuclear-powered submarines' reactors supply abundant power without consuming air, and such craft are large, much roomier, and classed as ships.
  • A ship is any floating craft that transports cargo for the purpose of earning revenue; in that context, a passenger ship's "cargo" is its passengers. However, neither fishing boats nor ferries are considered ships, though both carry cargo (their catch of the day or passengers) and ferries carry lifeboats.

The term "watercraft" (unlike such terms as aircraft or spacecraft) is rarely used to describe any specific individual object: Rather the term serves to unify the category that ranges from jet skis to Aircraft carriers.

From Wikipedia under the GNU Free Documentation License
Fri Feb 5 20:27:45 2010

What type of boat/watercraft should I buy for use on the Lake of Fire in Hell?
Q. I love entertaining, and obviously I'll be seeing a lot of other R&S atheists in Hell, so I was wondering what type of boat I should plan on taking with me to Hell? Maybe a larger houseboat with a deck on top for dancing and mingling? It would have to be large enough to carry two or three jet skis... What do you think?
Asked by JC4 - Thu Apr 9 16:53:21 2009 - - 14 Answers - 0 Comments

A. whatever it is make sure it has jet propulsion, for obvious reasons a propeller will do nothing in a lake of fire, but sucking in flames and spitting them out will make you go VROOOM!
Answered by Ryan, Atheati Magus - Thu Apr 9 17:04:47 2009

how do I start my 1994 sea doo watercraft without a key?
Q. I do not have the rider safety key anymore, will I still get ignition somehow...?
Asked by mpeteklick - Thu Apr 6 13:54:52 2006 - - 3 Answers - 0 Comments

A. you have to pop the starter
Answered by starjessiegirl - Thu Apr 6 13:56:44 2006

anyone know where to get a cheap personal watercraft besides ebay?
Q. anyone know where to get a cheap personal watercraft besides ebay?
Asked by randomperson69 - Sat Aug 25 11:29:30 2007 - - 2 Answers - 0 Comments

A. Craigslist
Answered by c_kayak_fun - Sat Aug 25 11:55:45 2007

From Yahoo Answer Search: "Watercraft"
Mon Feb 15 14:21:17 2010

See also:

  • National Marine Manufacturers AssociationNational Marine Manufacturers Association
    nmma.org
    Trade association for marine manufacturers. Provides member list and services, boat show events and seminars, publications, meetings, forums, and related links.
Custom search only Watercraft sites:

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Fri Feb 19 11:21:59 2010
Forest Preserve District permits now on sale - Naperville Sun
news.google.com
Forest Preserve District permits now on sale

Naperville Sun

Non-gasoline-powered watercraft up to 20 feet in length, including boats, canoes, kayaks and multichambered inflatables with factory-installed hardened ...



and more »
State agency needs to apologize, make amends - The Daily News of Newburyport
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State agency needs to apologize, make amends

The Daily News of Newburyport

... and boaters who frequent those waters, never mind the summertime Sand and Sea festival, in which the central event is a personal watercraft race. ...
Hundreds seek some Leesport history - Reading Eagle
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Hundreds seek some Leesport history

Reading Eagle

... it was where the lock tender lived and worked, opening and closing locks to change water levels so watercraft could pass, Strause said. ...

From Google News Search: "Watercraft"
Fri Nov 27 15:44:01 2009

watercraftheader jpg
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eco watercraft 20090526 600 jpg
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Beware Big Oil executives EVs aren t content to just take over the morning commute They re targeting all motorized leisure activities and while we ve already seen how an electric

Bombardier envisions the recreational watercraft of 2025
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From Yahoo Image Search: "Watercraft"
Tue Feb 16 22:19:43 2010

1990 LX650 Missing Choke Cable - PWC Forum: The best hang-out for ...
pwcforum.com
1990 LX650 Missing Choke Cable - PWC Forum: The best hang-out for ...

Timetoski

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:31:58 GM

PWC Forum: The best hang-out for Personal . WaterCraft. enthusiasts > PWC Jetski Specific Forums > Yamaha Jetski · Reload this Page 1990 LX650 Missing Choke Cable. User Name, Remember Me? Password. Home · Forum · Active Topics · Gallery ...

Yamaha Watercraft Establishes Footprint in Mobile with SMS + WAP ...
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Yamaha Watercraft Establishes Footprint in Mobile with SMS + WAP ...

Evan

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:12:00 GM

Check out our latest release below. We're really proud of the work we've been doing with Yamaha. With a 400% increase in customer signups, Yamaha storms on.

hot sauce - Green Hulk Personal Watercraft Performance Forums
greenhulk.net
hot sauce - Green Hulk Personal Watercraft Performance Forums

addicted

hu, 21 Jan 2010 17:25:30 GM

Green Hulk Personal . Watercraft. Performance Forums. Go Back, Green Hulk Personal . Watercraft. Performance Forums > Races, Local Rides and Events > Mudbug Nationals Rally ... American . Watercraft. Association · Safe Boating Council ...

From Google Blog Search: "Watercraft"
Mon Feb 1 16:44:01 2010