whaleboat [`wāl´bōt] NAVAL ARCHITECTURE 1. A long, narrow rowboat that has a large sheer and both ends sharp and inclined to the perpendicular; formerly used to hunt whales. 2. A long, narrow rowboat or motorboat that has both ends sharp and rounded in the manner of the original whaleboats, and that is equipped with buoyancy tanks; it is often carried on merchant ships and warships. |