According to Eric Hiscock from his book, "Cruising Under Sail".

BEAM. The extreme breadth of a vessel. Also a transverse member
supporting the deck. A vessel is said to be on her beam ends when
she is heeled excessively so that her masts are horizontal. Anything
which lies outside a vessel on an imaginary line drawn from amidships
at right angles to the fore-and-aft line is said to on the beam or abeam.

I hope this helps.

S.Simon


"Floatything" wrote in message
news
A simple question (no 'Simple' replies please)..

How does one measure the beam of a boat? Is it at the widest point at
deck
level? does it include the rubbing strake? Clearly there must be a
standard for this - but I haven't found a definitive answer - in the 1/2
hour I've been looking - obviously doing the wrong search :-( So what's
the answer..



Finally... After years of dismally inadiquate attemts.... Simon managed to
supply a correct responce.

Admittedly it was a VERY basic question....

But its a start.