Chine

The point on the boat hull where it transitions from the bottom to the side. A kayak can be hard chined where this transition happens quickly and creates a sharp angle, or soft chined where the transition is more gradual and rounded. Some boats are said to be multi-chined where the transition happens in several discrete angles.

It is a common belief that the form of the chine affects the stability of the boat. While this is true to a certain extent, stability is more affected by waterline width and amount of flare above the waterline.