Types of Sailboats

There are many different types of Sailboats andWhile Ketches are a very close relation to the
designs to sailboats. In this article we will go oversloop, they have a second mast that is shorter
the various types and some information on them.and located forward of the rudderpost. This
A sailboat is a boat that uses wind as its primarysecond is known as the mizzenmast, the sail on
way to move around. Although these boats varythis mast is called the mizzen sail.
in size and craftsmanship, they are still sailboats.Yawl
SloopThe yawl is very closely related to the Ketch. It
This is the most frequently used sailboat and hashas a mizzenmast, however is astern the
very distinguishing features. It has one Mast withrudderpost.
two sails attached to it; these are generally aSchooner
mainsail and foresail.A Schooner can and will have more than two
Rig Sloopmasts. The second will be as tall as the first mast,
The next is the Rig Sloop or Rig for short. Thewhich helps to mark its difference from the yawl
Rig has two sails, however, they do not run toand ketch.
the top of the mast. This allows more tension inHulls
the Backstay, while arching in the middle of theThe hull is the body or also known as the frame
forward mast.of a ship. This is the part of the boat in which the
Cuttersbottom half is in the water
The cutter may look similar to the sloop,Keel
however, it only has one single mast and mainsailThe keel is one of two different things, one being
to allow for 2 headsails to be used.the frame on which the boat is built, while the
Catboatsother is used to help with the boat's
Catboats have one mast that is mountedmaneuverability.
towards the forward. These come without a Jib.Centerboard
The modern Catboats have only one sail, whileThe Centerboard is a lightweight keel that is not
the older ones have multiple sails.mounted permanently, and can be moved out of
Ketchesthe way in shallow water.