Dictionary Definition
keelboat n : river boat with a shallow draught
and a keel but no sails; used to carry freight; moved by rowing or
punting or towing
User Contributed Dictionary
Extensive Definition
Keelboat has two distinct meanings, related to
two different types of boat.
One is a keeled boat built for the
navigation of rivers, especially in America. It is similar to a
riverboat, but is
typically controlled with oars or poles. Keelboats have been used
for exploration, such as the
Lewis and Clark Expedition, but were primarily used to
transport cargo in the
early 19th century. The process of moving a keelboat upriver was
extremely difficult. Most of these keelboats were from 50 to 80
feet long and 15 feet wide. They usually had a cabin in the middle,
but were sometimes left open. Mike Fink is
probably the most noted keelboater in history.
The term keelboat is also used to describe any
sailboat which has a
keel, as opposed to a
centerboard or
daggerboard. The
term is most often used by sailors of the latter type of
boat.
keelboat in German: Keelboat