There are many different types of Sailboats and designs to sailboats. In this article we will go over the various types and some information on them. A sailboat is a boat that uses wind as its primary way to move around. Although these boats vary in size and craftsmanship, they are still sailboats.

Sloop

This is the most frequently used sailboat and has very distinguishing features. It has one Mast with two sails attached to it; these are generally a mainsail and foresail.

Rig Sloop

The next is the Rig Sloop or Rig for short. The Rig has two sails, however, they do not run to the top of the mast. This allows more tension in the Backstay, while arching in the middle of the forward mast.

Cutters

The cutter may look similar to the sloop, however, it only has one single mast and mainsail to allow for 2 headsails to be used.

Catboats

Catboats have one mast that is mounted towards the forward. These come without a Jib. The modern Catboats have only one sail, while the older ones have multiple sails.

Ketches

While Ketches are a very close relation to the sloop, they have a second mast that is shorter and located forward of the rudderpost. This second is known as the mizzenmast, the sail on this mast is called the mizzen sail.

Yawl

The yawl is very closely related to the Ketch. It has a mizzenmast, however is astern the rudderpost.

Schooner

A Schooner can and will have more than two masts. The second will be as tall as the first mast, which helps to mark its difference from the yawl and ketch.

Hulls

The hull is the body or also known as the frame of a ship. This is the part of the boat in which the bottom half is in the water

Keel

The keel is one of two different things, one being the frame on which the boat is built, while the other is used to help with the boat's maneuverability.

Centerboard

The Centerboard is a lightweight keel that is not mounted permanently, and can be moved out of the way in shallow water.

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