What is the maximum width of a vessel called?

The maximum width of a vessel is referred to as the beam. This term is critical in understanding a boat's dimensions as it directly affects stability, capacity, and overall performance in the water. The beam impacts how much weight a vessel can carry and influences its maneuverability.

In contrast, draft is the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (the keel), which determines how deep the vessel sits in the water. The keel is the structural component that runs along the bottom of the hull and is essential for stability and steering. Freeboard refers to the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, indicating how high the sides of a boat rise above the water. Each of these terms has its specific place in nautical terminology, but when discussing width, beam is the appropriate term.