On Sat, 19 Jul 2003 21:52:38 -0500, "Ervin Charles"
wrote:

Toerail is usually about 1" tall and basically keeps feet and other sliding
things from going over board.
Bulwarks are usually 6" high or more, often with a caprail on top that
really dress out a boat giving it more of a 'old ship' look. Sprung decks
refer to deck boards laid out with a curve in them usually following the
afore mentioned toe rail or bulwark, they are rather forced into place under
(spring/sprung) tension.

A nice description. Mine is a little bit more complex:

If a winch handle slides right overboard with just a little bump, it's
a toe rail.

If the winch handle makes a crashing noise, then bounces in the air
and THEN over the side, it's a bulwark.

- Rick Tyler