What's the difference between a tugboat and a towboat?
Question #20415. Asked by django.
Last updated May 18 2021.
Senior Moments
Answer has 11 votes
Currently Best Answer
Senior Moments
Answer has 11 votes.
Currently voted the best answer.
When pushed by a boat, the barges are referred to collectively as 'the tow,' hence the term 'towboat.' This term is potentially misleading, since such boats actually push their cargo, as opposed to literally towing it or pulling it from behind. Tows can also be pushed by a {tugboat;} the difference between the two is that a tugboat has a pointed bow, while a towboat or pushboat has a square bow which can face up flush against the tow.