Motorboating

Synonyms / Other Terms Used

Motor Boating, Motorboat, Motorboats, Motor Boat, Motor Boats, Power Boating

Category

Sports, Water Sports, Sporting Activities, Water Based Activities, Activities, Recreation, Tourism

Message / Function

For notice in general and to indicate the location of an area where motorboating is permitted

	Source	Description
	Peru 2016	Side view of small yacht with coxswain, water shown as two wavy lines
	U.S. National Park Service	Side view of boat with outboard motor, windshield, and coxswain, water shown as wavy line
	Parks Canada	Side view of boat with outboard motor, windshield, filled circle behind, water shown as wavy line
	Bolivia	Side view of boat with outboard motor, windshield, filled circle behind, water shown as wavy line
	HSSS	Side view of boat with outboard motor, windshield, filled circle behind, water shown as wavy line
	NZS 8603	Side view of boat with windshield, filled circle behind, water shown as two wavy lines
	CNFC	Side view of recreational motorboat with cabin, water shown as wavy line
	NPS	Side view of recreational motorboat with cabin, water shown as wavy contour
	Dutchicon	Side view of power boat with outboard motor, water shown as wavy line
	BTA 1989	Side view of power boat in outline, coxswain, water shown as wavy contour
	Erco	Side view of power boat with outboard motor, water shown as four bent lines
	Québec	Clipped side view of human figure in boat holding tiller of outboard motor

Note: Some of the examples shown above were mirrored horizontally to contrast differences.

Discussion

The range of pictograms shown in the table above gives a good impression on typical images used to indicate motorboating. Searching the internet one will find mostly side views of all kinds of motor boats while front views are rather unusual. Also clipped views like the pictogram from Québec are rare.

We could not find any test data concerning graphic symbols for Motorboating in our database, but there is some information concerning comprehensibility of one pictogram available: since all pictograms that failed comprehension testing in Canada have been retired from use there, the Parks Canada pictogram No 6-4-212: Motorboating displayed above must have reached a comprehension rate of 60 % or higher, as this variant does not have the status Retired.

Recommendations

Due to the limited data available we suggest to conduct a Comprehension Test with the basic concepts available. Detailed information about the most frequent responses given in each of the response categories should be provided for each pictogram variant tested to correctly judge comprehensibility and improve designs, if necessary. On such a basis the best decision concerning a specific recommendation can be reached.