Boat/ship classification...?

watercraft vehicle designed float on , move across (or through) water pleasure, physical exercise (in case of many small boats), transporting people and/or goods, or military missions.

common need buoyancy unites watercraft, , makes each one's hull dominant aspect of construction, maintenance, , appearance.

watercraft described either ships or boats; although ships larger boats, distinction between 2 categories not 1 of size per se.

rule of thumb says "a boat can fit on ship, ship can't fit on boat", , ship has sufficient size carry own boats, such lifeboats, dinghies, or runabouts.
local law , regulation define exact size (or number of masts) distinguishes ship boats.
traditionally submarines called "boats", perhaps reflecting cramped conditions: small size reduces need power, , need surface or snorkel supply of air running diesel engines requires; in contrast, nuclear-powered submarines' reactors supply abundant power without consuming air, , such craft large, roomier, , classed ships.
definition says ship floating craft transports cargo purpose of earning revenue; in context, passenger ships transport "supercargo", name passengers or persons not working on board. however, neither fishing boats nor ferries considered ships, though both carry cargo (their catch of day or passengers) (and matter lifeboats).

english seldom uses term "watercraft" describe specific individual object (and affectation): rather term serves unify category ranges small boats largest ships, , includes diverse watercraft term more specific ship or boat (e.g., canoe, kayak, raft, barge, jet ski) comes mind first. (some of these considered @ best questionable examples of boats.)

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dinghy small utility boat attached larger boat. dinghies rowboats or have small outboard motor while others may use small sailing rig. necessary off-ship excursions larger boats, outside of docking @ suitably-sized ports or marinas.

when not in above context, "dinghy" commonly refers similar boat developed use, used in own right dinghy sailing or rowing.

dinghies range in length 2 6 m. larger auxiliary vessels called pinnaces or lifeboats.
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boat watercraft, smaller ships. boats commonly carried ship or on land using trailers.

boat consists of 1 or more buoyancy structures called hulls , system of propulsion, such screw, oars, paddles, setting pole, sail, paddlewheels or water jet.

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yacht (from dutch jacht meaning "hunt") defined light, fast sailing vessel used convey important persons.

in later parlance, definition came cover wider range of vessels, propelled sail, power or both , used pleasure cruising and/or yacht racing. often, non-sailing yachts referred motor yachts, differentiate them yachts designed use sail power.

classification of sailing yachts
sailing yachts fall 4 basic categories: 'day sailing', 'weekender', 'cruiser' , 'racer'.

day sailing yachts
day sailing yachts small sub-6 metre (20 foot) vessels. called dinghies, have retractable keel, centerboard, or daggerboard. day sailing yachts not have cabin designed hourly or daily use , not ovenight journeys.


weekender yachts
weekender yachts small, sub-9.5 metre (30 feet) vessels. have twin-keels or lifting keels. allows them operate in shallow waters, , if needed 'dry out' – become beached tide falls, hull shape (or twin-keel layout) allows boat sit upright when there no water. such boats designed undertake short journeys, lasting more 2 3 days (hence name). of course, in coastal areas long trips may undertaken in series of short hops. weekenders have simple cabin, consisting of single 'saloon', bedspace 2-3 people, , clever use of ergonomics allow both galley (kitchen) space, seating , space navigation equipment. there limited space large stores of water/food. weekenders tend slower vessels due small sail area, , due small size can overwhelmed heavy seas. single-mast 'bermudan sloop' rigged vessels, single fore-sail (of 'jib' or 'genoa') type , single mainsail. gaff rigged. smallest of type--generally called pocket yachts or pocket cruisers can trailed on special trailers behind vehicles transport them road.


cruiser yachts
cruisers far common in private usage, making of 7 m 14 m (23 46 ft) range. these vessels can quite complex in design, designers try find balance between docile handling qualities, interior space, light-wind performance , on-board comfort. huge range of such craft, dozens of builders worldwide make hard determine specific description. however, favour teardrop-planform hull, wide, flat bottom , deep single-fin keel give stability. single-mast 'bermudan sloop' rigged vessels, single fore-sail (of 'jib' or 'genoa') type , single mainsail. spinnaker sails, huge areas, supplied lightwind use. these types chosen family vessels, in 8 12 metre (32 40 ft) range. such vessel have many rooms below deck. typically there 3 double-berth cabins, single large saloon (galley, seating , navigation area) , 'head' (toilet/showeroom). interior finished in wood panelling, plenty of storage space. cruisers quite capable of taking on long-range passages of many thousands of miles, have large freshwater tanks. such boats have cruising speed of around 10 km/h. basic design typical of standard types produced major yacht-builders. large luxury yachts (15m+, 50 feet+) cruisers, design varies 'one off' designs specific needs of buyer.


racing yachts
racing yachts try reduce wetted surface area (which creates drag) keeping hull light whilst having deep , heavy bulb keel, allowing them support tall mast great sail area. modern designs tend have wide beam, flat bottom, provide buoyancy preventing excessive heel angle. speeds of 40 mph can obtained in conditions. dedicated racing yachts sacrifice crew comfort speed, having basic accommodation reduce weight. depending on type of race, such yacht may crewed many 15 people. @ other extreme there 'single handed' races, 1 person alone must control yacht. yacht races may on simple course of few miles, or epic trans-global contests such global challenge , clipper round world race. ocean racing yachts have sea-handling qualities, must able maintain speeds in heaviest conditions.
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ship large, sea-going watercraft, multiple decks. ship has sufficient size carry own boats, such lifeboats, dinghies, or runabouts. during age of sail, ship signified ship-rigged vessel, is, 1 3 or more masts, three, square-rigged. such vessel have 1 fore , aft sail on aftermost mast mizzen. invariably have bowsprit not part of definition. same economic pressures increased sizes point of carrying 4 or 5 masts, introduced fore , aft rig larger vessels, few ship-rigged vessels built more 3 masts. five-masted preussen outstanding example, big german ships , barques built partly prestige reasons.
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military.

frigate name has been used several distinct types of warships @ different times. has referred variety of ship roles , sizes. in age of sail, referred ship smaller , faster battleship, used patrolling , escort work rather fighting fleet actions. in modern military terminology, definition of frigate warship intended protect other warships , merchant marine ships , anti-submarine warfare (asw) combatants amphibious expeditionary forces, underway replenishment groups, , merchant convoys. however, many ships known frigates have bordered on, or entirely been more similar different class of ship including ranging corvette destroyer, cruiser or battleship. variation comes number of sources, such era, particulars of battlefield roles, , standards of given country.

cruiser (from dutch kruiser, "something crosses") large warship capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously. historically considered smallest ships capable of independent operations — destroyers requiring outside support such tenders — in modern parlance difference has disappeared. in modern warfare cruiser has virtually disappeared, supplanted in roles destroyer.

in naval terminology, destroyer (french: "contre-torpilleur", german: "zerstörer", spanish: "destructor", italian: "cacciatorpediniere", russian: esminets (escadrenniy minonosets) - Эсминец (Эскадренный миноносец)) fast , maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended escort larger vessels in fleet or battle group , defend them against smaller, short-range attackers (originally torpedo boats, later submarines , aircraft). @ beginning of 21st century, destroyers heaviest surface combatants in general use, 2 nations (the united states , russia) operating cruisers , none operating battleships.[1] modern destroyers equivalent in tonnage , drastically superior in firepower cruisers of world war ii era, capable of carrying nuclear missiles able destroy cities in small volley.

battleship name given powerfully gun-armed , heavily armored classes of warships built between 15th , 20th centuries. battleships evolved northern european cogs, , included carracks , galleons in 16th century, ships of line in 17th , 18th centuries, broadside ironclads , pre-dreadnoughts in 19th century, , dreadnoughts in 20th century. on 300 years battleships ruled waves, allowing nations such netherlands, spain, france , united kingdom create , maintain trade-based overseas empires , restrain rivals. during world war ii (1939-45) superseded deciding factor @ sea aircraft carriers.

battleships designed engage similar enemy warships direct or indirect fire arsenal of main guns. secondary role, capable of bombarding targets on , near enemy coast support infantry assaults. third role battleships emerged during world war ii, when used powerful anti-aircraft weaponry screen aircraft carriers enemy air attacks. after world war ii continued used shore bombardment , missile platforms until 1990s.

when dinghy become boat, boat yacht, , yacht ship etc - parameters?

on similar note, military (naval) equivalents;
frigate, cruiser, destroyer, etc

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