Boat Gear Terms are similar to Camping Terms
Ahoy maties!
I saw a post on Facebook recently where someone admonished someone for using the term ‘tug’ to describe his tow vehicle.
But, when you stop and think about it, there’s lots in common between marine craft and our camping and travel rigs.
Plus it adds a little bit of fun and the romance of the seas to what would otherwise be a drive down the road. When we used to hook up the caravan with the weight distribution bars we’d often go out the driveway or travel over speed bumps with distinct creaking noises which we’d liken to the sounds an old sailing boat would make as it pitched and yawed over each swell.
Sea and Camping Terminology
Do you ever load your rig to the ‘Gunwales’? Meaning, you load the boat to the point where water is lapping the top sides of the ship’s hull.
Have you ever done a ‘Jury Rig’ (or ‘Jerry-Rig’) fix on the car, tent or camper to keep you going. Again, this term comes from the days of sail where a make-shift fix was done to get you going again using materials readily at hand.
When did you last ‘cruise’ down the highway – and does your car have ‘cruise control’?.
Do you ‘navigate’ to your next campsite? Does your family form part of your ‘crew’? Does ‘X’ mark the spot for your tent or towel on the beach?
Cruise Control another boat gear term?
Well, as it happens, there’s also a lot of gear and fixings that cross seamlessly between the marine and vehicle / camping worlds.
We call shops that sell marine gear Chandleries; more maritime terminology.
Many of these fittings are made of quality materials and better grades of stainless steel better suited to sustained use and salty conditions (as is the case with beach driving).
Even the rivets you can buy at these shops range from aluminium and stainless steel to monel (a copper-nickel alloy). You’ll also find sealed rivets – best used when you want a more waterproof finish.
If it’s stainless steel cable you want for locking up the bikes and gear, you’ll find this too at a chandlers – even with a PVC coating.
You can even find yourself a skull and bones flag to hoist at your next campsite to show you mean business.
Rations for the crews
Don’t start me on rum rations and developing a need to keep lit tapers in your beard like ol’ Black Beard himself had in the early 1700s – or is that just me.
Ok, they may not sell water pumps for your 200 series, but when it comes to stainless steel fittings, latches, hatches, hinges, inspection openings, hoses and net etc etc for those upgrade projects they’re well worth a visit.
If you’re honest about being a landlubber, I’m sure that the people behind the counter at a chandlery will be more than happy to chat through any project or query.
Check out what Camec (Caravan and Marine Equipment Company) has to offer through our affiliate program with CaravanRVCamping.
Keep safe and smooth sailing. Nautical terms.
Read more tips and hacks here
