Instead of the new guy (ME) asking for help - something different!

It seems the only time I post here is to ask for help so I thought I'd throw a fun question out there - I read thru the different posts and some of you call it a boat and some a ship. My question is - when does a boat become a ship??
I know it's size related and not a matter of a boat aging and growing up to become a ship. Like I said, just a fun topic !!
terry s.

Ship is partly a matter of respect. Any of the Clippers that still make the water has earned that title!

Here is a great link that gives several definitions:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Whats_the_difference_between_a_boat_and_a_ship

A boat becomes a "ship" when we have to pay for repairs!

When does a boat become a ship? When the speaker wants it to (for example, you have a tiny d, but I have a big c - dancer and clipper of course), but the size remains the same.