| While most people tend to think of sailboats as all | | | | basic shelter. There are also three-hulled sailboats |
| being the same, there are actually a variety of | | | | known as trimarans and these are becoming very |
| different types of sailboats in use throughout the | | | | popular in recent years. |
| world today. The basics still apply to them as far | | | | As far as the traditional monhull sailboats that |
| as sails and using the wind to power them | | | | most people are familiar with, the most common |
| through the water, but the features that make | | | | of all of them are the single mast sailboats. Also |
| them unique offer a variety of different benefits | | | | known as a sloop, these sailboats have a single |
| to people, depending on their personal | | | | mast that is either set into or stepped to the hull, |
| preferences. | | | | or the deck of the ship. This mast supports two |
| Many people wrongly assume that the size of the | | | | sails, the mainsail and the headsail (sometimes |
| sailboat is the defining characteristic that | | | | referred to as the jib). The mainsail is the aft sail |
| separates it from other sailboats on the water. | | | | and the headsail is to forward sail. |
| While different size sailboat will certainly have | | | | The catboat and the cutter are two variations of |
| different features and provide its passengers with | | | | the sloop. The catboat has the mainsail at the |
| an array of different comforts, it's not the size | | | | front of the ship and the cutter holds the mast |
| that really matters. The most common | | | | aft and can commonly feature two jibs along with |
| differences between sailboats have to do with | | | | the mainsail. Having a single mast sailboat is easier |
| the number and the position of masts that each | | | | to control and maintain and therefore is the most |
| ship has, though in recent years, that is no longer | | | | common sailboat for schools and lessons. |
| the only distinction. | | | | Then there are the two-mast sailboats. These |
| Through more recent technology, the number of | | | | usually start at forty feet and can run up to as |
| hulls that a sailboat has is also an important | | | | large as one-hundred fifty feet long. They are |
| consideration when determining what distinguishes | | | | generally designed for longer voyages and are not |
| one ship from another. Multiple hull sailboats are | | | | very practical for local cruising, except for cruises |
| also more commonly referred to as catamarans. | | | | and other expeditions as part of a business where |
| These sailboats offer greater stability than its | | | | several hands are on staff for these cruises. |
| monhull (as they are now being referred to) | | | | There are several different kinds of two-mast |
| counterparts due to the wide spread between the | | | | sailboats that include the schooner, ketch, and |
| hulls. This creates strong leverage, which allows | | | | yawl. There are also three-mast sailboats which |
| them to cruise as greater speeds than the | | | | build on the concept of the two-mast, and are |
| monohulls. | | | | mostly associated with the classic sailing ships |
| Many modern catamarans have surprisingly | | | | throughout history. |
| spacious areas below deck for any number of | | | | What if I want to buy my own Sailboat? |
| purposes, including storage, sleeping quarters, and | | | | |