A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture.

Is it driving or sailing a boat?

The action of driving the boat is probably most often called piloting the boat. You may also hear people say “steering the boat,” navigating the boat” or a lesser known “conning the boat. ... If it's a rowboat, you'll be rowing the boat. If it's a sailboat, you'll be sailing the boat, or be called a sailor.

What do you say when sailing?

Throughout history sailing has helped civilizations to develop as people sailed across oceans to settle in new areas or trade with others. The earliest record of a ship under sail appears on an Egyptian vase from about 3500 BC. Vikings sailed to North America around 1000 years ago.