boatsman

1 4.0

A person who rows or guides a small boat

noun
/ˈboʊtsmən/

: barquero

As a skilled boatsman, he could row across the lake in no time.

Examples

Are you a boatsman, son?

The Wedding Date (2005)
The boatsman expertly navigated the narrow river with his small boat.
The boatsman helped us reach the secluded beach by guiding our kayak.

Synonyms

rower

vsboatsman

13 2.1

A person who uses oars to move a boat, often for sport

is the broader occupational or skillful handling role beyond sport rowing

boater

vsboatsman

12 3.0

A person who goes out on a boat for fun

is the occupational or skillful handler role rather than recreational focus

helmsman

vsboatsman

12 7.7

A person who steers a ship or boat

includes steering but also covers other handling and operating tasks

ferryman

vsboatsman

7 6.4

A person who takes people across a river or lake by boat

is broader, covering any operator rather than only passenger crossings

boatman

vsboatsman

7 2.8

A man who rows or steers a boat to carry people across water

is the same role but gender neutral rather than male specific

paddler

vsboatsman

4 3.9

A person who moves a canoe or kayak using a long flat tool to push water

is wider, covering many small and large vessel handling methods

waterman

vsboatsman

3 7.9

A person who moves a boat to carry people across rivers or canals

is the general boat operator role not limited to rivers or canals

yachtsman

vsboatsman

3 7.0

A person who owns a yacht or sails one as a hobby

is a neutral operator role, not tied to ownership or leisure yachting

sculler

vsboatsman

1 8.4

A person who rows a small boat with one or two oars

is broader, including steering, driving, and varied propulsion methods

bargeman

vsboatsman

1 7.5

A person who steers a long flat boat to move goods along rivers or canals

is broader, including passenger and small boat handling as well

steerer

vsboatsman

1 7.6

A person who guides a boat or canoe

is broader, including rowing, driving, and general boat handling

oarsman

vsboatsman

1 4.4

A person who rows a boat, often in a team

includes rowers but also those who steer, drive, or handle boats generally

riverman

vsboatsman

1 7.0

A person who works or lives by a river, for example as a boatman

focuses on general boat handling across settings, not mainly river life

steersman

vsboatsman

1 9.2

A person who controls the direction of a boat or ship

covers course direction but also broader hands-on boat duties

sternman

vsboatsman

Jargon

1 8.6

A person who works at the back of a small fishing boat steering or handling nets

is the general operator role rather than a specific stern position

lighterman

vsboatsman

Archaic

9.9

A person who loads and unloads ships using a flat boat

is the general handling role beyond this specific cargo vessel task

keelboatman

vsboatsman

Archaic

9.6

A person who works on a long river boat that carries goods

is more general and not tied to that particular vessel type

doryman

vsboatsman

9.6

A person who rows a small flat-bottomed fishing boat

is broader and not limited to that small fishing vessel

raftman

vsboatsman

9.3

A person who works on a raft to carry people or goods along a river

is the general boat handler role rather than raft specific

boatwoman

vsboatsman

5.8

A woman who drives or guides a boat, often as her job

is the same occupational role but expressed in neutral gender terms

skilled helmsman

vsboatsman

7.1

A person who steers a ship or boat very well

is the general operator role not limited to expert steering skill

wheelsman

vsboatsman

Jargon

7.9

A person who steers a boat or ship by using the wheel

is not limited to wheel steering and includes manual handling too

boatsteerer

vsboatsman

Archaic

9.9

A person who steers a small boat during a whale hunt

is the more general hands-on operator role beyond just steering

yachter

vsboatsman

7.9

A person who spends time on a yacht for fun

covers all types of boat operation, not only leisure yachting

sailboater

vsboatsman

3.5

A person who sails or rides in a sailboat

is broader, including non-sailing craft and professional handling

punter

vsboatsman

9.1

A person who uses a long pole to move a flat boat on shallow water

is more general, covering many propulsion methods and settings

polesman

vsboatsman

8.1

A person who moves a boat by pushing with a long pole, often in shallow water

is the wider handling role not restricted to pole propulsion

Surface Forms

boatsman singular

boatsmen plural

Etymology

Boatsman is made from two simple words, boat and man, and originally meant 'a man who works with a boat'. Like a car driver, a boatsman steers or rows and knows how to handle a boat, so today it means someone skilled in working with boats.