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What is a Punt?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

A punt is a type of flat bottomed boat which has been used for moving people and cargo along shallow rivers for hundreds of years. Modern punts are primarily used recreationally, although in some nations they continue to be used for the purpose of cargo. Most famously, punts are used for pleasure in the college towns of Oxford and Cambridge in England, where punting has been a popular pastime for students since the 1800s.

The design of a punt is quite unique and very distinctive in the world of boat building. Unlike many other watercraft, a punt lacks a keel, a strong central spine which is used as a base in most boats. Instead, the bottom of a punt is truly flat, and support is created with the use of a ladder-like series of slats. The sides of a punt are relatively shallow, and the ends are squared, allowing the boat to be faced in either direction for travel.

A punt is a flat bottomed boat that is used to move people and cargo along rivers.
A punt is a flat bottomed boat that is used to move people and cargo along rivers.

Traditionally, a punt is moved with a long pole. Punters typically stand in the front of the boat to push off and then walk towards the back while they continue to push, although in a more lightweight modern punt, the punter can stand in place to maneuver the boat. While poling might look relatively easy from a distance, it is actually quite challenging, and there are a number of variations in punting style which are used in various regions of the world.

A punt may be navigated by use of a long pole.
A punt may be navigated by use of a long pole.

These flat-bottomed boats have an extremely shallow draft, making them ideal for very shallow waterways, marshes, and reedy waters. They are also easy to maneuver, once one gets the hang of the poling technique needed to move a punt. Since a punt is double ended, it is easier to handle in confined spaces than some other styles of boat. Punts used for cargo typically have specially designed spaces for storage.

Punts are often available for rent along the River Thames in London, England.
Punts are often available for rent along the River Thames in London, England.

Incidentally, the word “punt” in reference to a boat comes from the Latin ponto, which means “flat bottomed boat.” This root word is also behind “pontoon.” “Punt” in the sense of kick, as in sports, comes from the Midlands slang term bunt, which means “to strike.” In regions where “punt” is used to mean “giving up,” the word is related to the sports term. If you're interested in poling a punt yourself, these boats are often available for rental along the River Thames in England, and many rental facilities also offer brief instruction in poling.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Sports&Hobbies researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a Sports&Hobbies researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon51386

In Giethoorn (also called the Venice of the north), in the Netherlands, a punter is still used to move cows from one pasture to the other as there are to many small shallow rivers.

anon30768

'Taking a punt' can also mean taking a bit of a gamble - as in Rugby football where a drop-kick at goal may seem worth the risk of losing possession without scoring. This is usually done when the attacking side seems unable to penetrate the defense and make a touchdown, with its greater reward in higher points.

anon30760

In Australia a "punt" is also a bet as on a horse race. So someone who bets on races is called a "punter". It is also used colloquially more generally as in "take a punt" which means take a bit of a risk usually on something not very important.

One might "take a punt" in trying a restaurant of which nothing is known, or "take a punt" when on a walk and there is an intersection with no indication as to the right direction, but one makes a choice.

Some politicians also colloquially and not in public refer to voters as "the punters", which I take as an indication of the contempt in which many of them hold us.

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    • A punt is a flat bottomed boat that is used to move people and cargo along rivers.
      By: Stephen Finn
      A punt is a flat bottomed boat that is used to move people and cargo along rivers.
    • A punt may be navigated by use of a long pole.
      By: Kaisi
      A punt may be navigated by use of a long pole.
    • Punts are often available for rent along the River Thames in London, England.
      By: TTstudio
      Punts are often available for rent along the River Thames in London, England.