Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

What is the term for driving a boat?

I just bought a boat and can’t wait to take it out on the water! But when I told my friends I wanted to drive them around the bay, they laughed and said you don’t drive a boat. Now that I’m a boat owner, I want to know the right lingo. What is the term for driving a boat?

avatar
Sara Brody · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Congrats on buying your first boat! And don’t worry about your friends—I bet they’re just teasing!
The correct term for driving a boat often depends on what type of boat you have:
  • Someone driving a sailboat would be sailing
  • Someone driving a rowboat would be rowing
  • Some other common terms for driving a boat are piloting, steering, or navigating
Additionally, the driver or boat owner might be called the captain, sailor, skipper, pilot, commander, or helmsman. Any of those titles sound pretty cool to me!
To get your sea legs on your new boat, there’s quite a bit of vocabulary to learn. But it will be worth it to enjoy the freedom of the open water.
If you’re looking for insurance to protect your new vessel, go to
Jerry
. Our friendly agents are standing by to discuss your boat insurance options—and potentially help you save money on
car insurance
while you’re at it! Download the Jerry app or give us a call at 1-833-445-3779.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings