Know Your Sailboats: Sailboat Types

KNOW YOUR SAILBOATS
POSTED ON MAY 4, 2017 BY BOATINGSAFETY
There are many different types of boats for sailing, differentiated by three distinctive
characteristics:
Hull Type (monohull, catamaran or trimaran)
Keel Type (fin keel, wing keel, bilge keel, daggerboard, or centerboard)
Mast Configuration and Sails (sloop, fractional rig sloop, ketch, schooner, yawl, cutter, cat)
Sailboats are powered by sails using the force of the wind. They are also referred to as sailing
dinghies, boats, and yachts, depending on their size. Sailboats range in size, from lightweight
dinghies like the Optimist dinghy (7’9″) all the way up to superyachts over 200 feet long.
SAILBOAT TYPES
There are many different types of boats for sailing, differentiated by three distinctive
characteristics:
Hull Type (monohull, catamaran or trimaran)
Keel Type (fin keel, wing keel, bilge keel, daggerboard, or centerboard)
Mast Configuration and Sails (sloop, fractional rig sloop, ketch, schooner, yawl, cutter, cat)
length is often abbreviated as LOA (length overall), which differentiates that dimension from LWL
(length on the waterline). Especially on older style boats, these two lengths can be quite different.
Keel type
All sailboats have one or more lateral surfaces, known as keels. The primary purpose of a
sailboat keel is to counter the sideways force of the wind and generate forward motion by
creating lift. A secondary purpose of most types of keel is to provide ballast; the more ballast, the
more stable (and heavy) the boat is. There are several different shapes of sailboat keels, and
each has a different name—as well as different pros and cons.
Full-length keel Full Keel
Often found on traditional sailboats, the full-length keel uses length rather than depth to provide
adequate lift and ballast for the hull. The rudder is often attached to the aft end.
Fin Keel Fin keel
A fin keel is separate from the rudder, and generally deeper and shorter in length in relation to the
overall length of the hull.
Wing or bulb keel
Adding two wings or a single bulb to the very bottom of a keel allows designers to improve
righting moment without adding too much weight. The wings poke out sideways from the main
keel at its tip. Although winged keels are generally found on high performance sailboats, they can
also help reduce the draft on cruising boats, which improves access to shallow or shoal water.
The aim of a bulb keel is to set the ballast as low as possible, to help gain the maximum possible
amount of leverage, without increasing keel depth (which is called “draft”) too much.
Bilge keel
Sailboats with bilge keels are able to stand upright on sand or mud at low tide. They are very
common in areas with large tidal ranges. Bilge keels are not as effective as central keels in
reducing sideways slippage (also known as “leeway”).
Centerboard or Daggerboard
Centerboards and daggerboards are able to be raised and lowered by the crew. When raised,
they reduce both draft and wetted surface. When lowered, they provide many of the same
benefits as a keel, though in smaller boats they are often unballasted. A centerboard is attached
to the boat by a pin that creates a pivot point for lifting. A daggerboard drops into a slot through
the boat. They are common on sailing dinghies, as well as on high-performance catamarans and
trimarans.
Mast Configuration and Sails
Mast configurations and sail combinations are another way of categorizing sailboats. These are
just a few of the most common types.
Sloop
The most common type of sailboat is a sloop. A sloop has one mast and two sails, a mainsail and
a headsail. Depending on the size and shape of the headsail, it may be called a jib, genoa or
spinnaker. The headsail is hoisted to the top of the mast on the forestay, a supporting cable that
runs from the top of the mast to the bow of the sailboat.
Fractional Rig Sloop
The forestay on a fractional rig sloop doesn’t reach the top of the mast; it connects at a lower
point. There are performance advantages to this setup, since a fractional rig allows the crew to
bend the top of the mast and flatten the sails on a windy day when full power is not needed.
Popular in the 60s and 70s, fractional rigged sloops are starting to become popular again,
particularly for high-performance race boats where the mast is able to bend more easily.
Cutter
A cutter also has a single mast and mainsail, but the mast is farther aft to allow room for two
headsails from two forestays. The headstay carries the jib and the inner stay carries the staysail.
This is often a favorite rig for cruising sailing boats because it offers an easily managed range of
sail combinations for different wind strengths.
Ketch
A ketch has a second, shorter mast behind the mainmast, but forward of the rudder post. The
second mast is called the mizzen mast.
Schooner
A schooner’s aft mast is taller than its forward mast. Schooners may have up to six masts, though
most only have two.
Yawl
A yawl is similar to a ketch with a mizzen mast shorter than the main mast. The difference is that
the mizzen mast on a yawl is carried behind the rudder post, so the mizzen sail is smaller.
Cat sailboat rig
A cat rig has only one sail, and the mast is located well forward. This is a popular rig on smaller
boats, which are known as “catboats.”
For more about how to choose a keel and rig, read Keel Myths and Rig Choices.
DIFFERENT USES OF SAILBOATS
The use of sails on boats can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, when the Egyptians added sails to
their reed boats to sail upstream against the River Nile’s current. Sailboats were used to develop
international trade routes, though this form of propulsion has since been replaced by less wind-
dependent power methods.
Today, sailboats are almost exclusively used for recreation. Cruising and racing are popular
pastimes, with many different options available in each case.
Sailboat racing is a weekday evening and weekend seasonal pastime for many around the world,
on a variety of boats—from small dinghies like the Optimist all the way up to racer/cruisers. There
are also professional sailboat racing teams who take part in races that vary in length—from
daytime “around the buoys” racing, to singlehanded and crewed teams who race around the
world, sometimes without stopping.
Hog Island Racer, West Falmouth Harbor Photo of “Boo” aboard “Carpe Navem” by Nat York.
This 12 foot Beetle Cat is perfect for local sails with the family.
Cruising in sailboats is also enjoyed in many different ways, on a variety of sailboats and types of
water (lakes, rivers, canals, coastal waters, and oceans), for different lengths of time. While most
sailors are content to daysail or cruise to a weekend destination, others buy a sailboat to fulfill
that lifelong dream of sailing off into the sunset.
The cost of owning a sailboat extends beyond the purchase price, so it’s worthwhile doing your
homework. Expenses to consider include, but are not limited to, insurance premiums,
mooring/dock fees, education, regular annual maintenance, upgrades, and ad hoc repairs.
If you plan to race your sailboat, event organisers insist on third party liability insurance. If your
sailboat is too big to live on a trailer, you’ll need a marina slip or a mooring—which in some areas
can be very expensive.
If you are new to sailing, any training courses to learn boathandling and how to use safety
equipment and the communication systems need to be factored into your cost estimate. And each
year, your sailboat and its rigging should be fully inspected and any wear and tear should be
repaired. If there is an engine, it should be serviced on a regular basis.
Dorade reaches toward the finish of the Round Island Race

Sailboats can require a lot of maintenance, so ongoing costs must be factored in when looking at
ownership expense.

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KNOW YOUR SAILBOATS

POSTED ON MAY 4, 2017 BY BOATINGSAFETY

Hull Type (monohull, catamaran or trimaran)

Full-length keel Full Keel

Fin Keel Fin keel

Wing or bulb keel

Mast Configuration and Sails

Fractional Rig Sloop

DIFFERENT USES OF SAILBOATS

Dorade reaches toward the finish of the Round Island Race

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