Sail boat is the term generally used for several small and medium sized water vessels. Until this very time, this term is still widely used. Normally, sailing boats are water vessels which are driven by the wind. But in this modern time, there are already machine-powered sail boats.
Nowadays, there are many types of sail boats- be it machine-powered or the conventional type. Learn about its different types namely:
The Sloop
This is the most common and simplest form of a sail boat. A sloop has two sails- a foresail and a mainsail and a single mast as well. Its features make it very easy to be driven by the wind.
It also has a boom, which is a metal pole that leads the wind’s direction. This is attached together with the mast and the boom.
Cutters
This type of a sail boat resembles to a sloop because of features- a mainsail and a single mast. However, this type allows the usage of two head sails. These head sails are attached to 2 fore stays namely: inner stay and head stay. These 2 fore stays carry the stay sail and the jib. Cutters are very excellent in times of high wind and is also good for boat racing.
Fractional Sloop
In this type, the fore stay connects to the top of the mast instead on running on top of it. Thus, there is increase in the back stay’s tension. This feature of the fractional sloop also allows the middle of the mast to be arched forward.
Ketch
This type of sail boat is also similar to a sloop. However, its distinct feature is having another mast (called the mizzen mast)- shorter to that of the mainmast. It is located in front of the rudder post. A ketch has two head sails.
Yawl
This resembles a ketch, however, its mizzen mast is shorter compared to the main mast and it is supported by the rudder post’s stem.
Catboat
This kind of sail boat does not have a jib, or a head sail. Most recent catboat designs do not have other sails except the mainsail.
Schooner
This could have multiple masts, but the second mast is taller than the first. Schooners nowadays are rigged with gaff or marconi.
Keel
To make this sail boat at its best in motion, there should be a good combination of length, weight and depth. Most sail boats used in sport have deep and heavy fin keels.
Centre Board
This is the lighter version of a keel and is not mounted permanently. A centre board could cater shallow waters.
Hulls
There are sail boats with mono hulls, and those with multiple hulls. It depends on the structure of the sailing boat- sometimes, multiple hulls are for those which do not have centreboard or keels
So now you know about different kinds of sail boats. So the next time you are planning of yachting or sailing, you already know which type of sail boat to rent for that escapade.
