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Marine Nomenclature: Fashion Plates

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by JWY, Jun 17, 2025 at 10:57 AM.

  1. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    A question was raised about the proper name for the angled supports that go from the hull to the bridge. Seems like they are called "Fashion Plates." Scratching my head over the origin of that one. But is that accurate? I thought they were called "wings" or "wing supports."

    Thanks for any clarification.

    Judy
  2. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Fashion plate on "Battered Bull".

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  3. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Exactly the part I was describing. So you too call them fashion plates?
  4. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    Yes, that is what I know them to be.
  5. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Thanks!
  6. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I always referred to these as fascia plates. I suppose fashion plates would be appropriate if the supports are part of the aesthetic design.
  7. mapism

    mapism Senior Member

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    Every day is a school day.
    I can't think of a specific name for those even in my mother tongue language! :)
    ...though FWIW I'd translate in EN the expression I'd use in Italian as "cockpit side pillars".
  8. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    Yes, they are fashion plates and my rule is to not make them wider than that one person can reach to move the fenders outside of them...
  9. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    Is the marine industry so steeped in tradition that we can't update a term to better reflect it's purpose or operation? I thing Mapism got it right... side pillars!
  10. Pascal

    Pascal Senior Member

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    I learned something today! I had no idea what they were called and my boat has a pair

    Back in the old days.. 1970, Hatteras built those using two layers of 3/4 plywood…. After 50 years they were waterlogged and rotting so I rebuilt them. I used divinycel and glass on one side and just coosa a couple of years later on the other side.

    IMG_4501.jpeg
  11. SeaEric

    SeaEric YF Historian

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    I refer to them as fashion panels. "Fashion plates" return more Google hits, so plates it is!
  12. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    I find it interesting that some of us long-time boaters either didn't know the name or like me, had the wrong name. No one has yet supported my calling them wing supports and I've always called them that.

    Thanks to AMG I guess we can call fashion plates the official name.
  13. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    No if anyone that can tell me what the round window, that is mounted on a window that you see on freighters, it has a wiper that goes around 360 degrees is called, I'd be in heaven.
  14. AMG

    AMG YF Moderator

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    They are Clear View Screens...
    Ken Bracewell likes this.
  15. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Capt J: As a point of clarification, the clear view screens are also common on passagemaking trawlers -- for the weather/sea conditions where regular windshield wipers don't cut it.

    Do we need a new thread: Nautical Names?
  16. Yacht News

    Yacht News YF News Editor

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    These?

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  17. BRyachts

    BRyachts Member

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    Politically incorrect version:
    In my years of yachting a Fashion Plate was the Hot to look at but incompetent stewardess, LOL

    :D:eek::D
  18. YachtForums

    YachtForums Administrator

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    I'm not convinced Fashion Plates is the correct terminology. Appears to me Fascia is a more accurate descriptor...

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  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    The verb fashion then the noun plate bakes sense in the swamp.
    ie; running dawg.

    However, I always called them a wing support.

    Then again, I know nothing about fashion, just what looks and works good.
    ie; Galley Wench :rolleyes:
    Last edited: Jun 18, 2025 at 11:18 AM
  20. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

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    Yes! Someone else that calls them wing supports! I feel vindicated - whew! But is that the correct term?