Which of the following terms refers to the minimum depth of water necessary for a vessel to float?

The term that refers to the minimum depth of water necessary for a vessel to float is "draft." The draft of a vessel is defined as the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel), which indicates how deep the vessel sits in the water. Understanding a vessel's draft is crucial for safe navigation, as it helps boaters determine whether there is sufficient water depth in a given area to avoid running aground.

In contrast, the other terms relate to different aspects of a vessel. The "gunwale" is the upper edge of the side of a boat, "freeboard" refers to the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, indicating how much of the vessel's body is above the waterline, and "bow" is the front part of the boat. While all these terms are important in boating, draft specifically addresses the water depth required for the vessel to be afloat.