sterns

Sterns is the plural form of stern, referring to the rear part of a vessel or ship. In nautical use, the stern is the after end of the hull, opposite the bow, and it is a fundamental element in the design and operation of watercraft. The stern houses or supports components such as the rudder and, in many vessels, propulsion equipment, including shafts, propellers, or thrusters. The shape and construction of the stern influence hydrodynamics, stability, wake, and interior layout.

Structural features commonly associated with sterns include the sternpost, stern timbers, and the transom. The transom is the typically flat or slightly curved surface at the very rear of many boats and serves as a mounting plane for hardware and, in some designs, acts as a stern end cap for the hull. In propulsion-enabled vessels, a stern tube or stern gland may encase the propeller shaft and bearings where applicable.

Stern designs vary by hull form and era. A transom stern is flat and vertical, widely used on modern motorboats and many small craft. A rounded stern follows a curved aftersection found on numerous traditional and some contemporary hulls. An overhanging stern extends rearward beyond the counter, a feature seen in many historical sailing ships. A raked or angled stern slopes aft to influence aesthetics and performance.

In maritime practice, the stern remains a key reference point for maneuvering, docking, and wake development. The term sterns may also describe the sterns of multiple ships in comparative descriptions.