What is the distance from the keel to the waterline called?

The distance from the keel to the waterline is referred to as the draft of a vessel. The draft signifies how deep the boat sits in the water, which is essential for various reasons, including ensuring the vessel's stability and navigating safely in shallow waters. Understanding draft is crucial for ship design and operation, as it directly impacts a vessel's performance, stability, and the minimum depth of water required for safe operation.

Keel height typically refers to the height of the keel from a baseline (not related to waterline) and does not specifically denote the distance to the waterline. Freeboard, on the other hand, describes the distance from the waterline to the main deck of the ship, which serves as a measure of how much of the vessel is above water. Displacement refers to the weight of the water displaced by the hull of the vessel, which relates to buoyancy rather than the physical measurements of draft. Therefore, the definition of draft appropriately identifies the distance from the keel to the waterline, making it the correct answer.