Introduction
I’m sure you’re wondering what the heck kind of sailboat you should buy. Well, there are a lot of different types out there. But not all are right for every situation. So how do you know which one is right for you? We’ll go over some of the major categories below and what makes them unique to help you make an informed decision about which type will be best for your needs:
Catamarans
A catamaran is a multihull boat that uses two hulls to provide buoyancy. The main advantage of this type of sailboat is that it can carry more people and cargo than other types of boats, because there are two hulls instead of one. Catamarans are also more stable and easier to sail, which makes them great for beginners or casual sailors who want to go out on the open water without much experience under their belts.
Cat-rigged Sailboat
Cat-rigged sailboats are catamarans, which means they have two hulls. These boats are usually more stable than monohulls and have a larger surface area for the sails. You can sail one or two people, depending on the size of your catamaran.
Single-masted Ketch
A single-masted ketch is a sailboat with two masts, one taller than the other, with the mizzenmast higher than the mainmast. The Dutch word for “ketch” is ketel and that’s where this type of vessel gets its name from.
A typical ketch has a single foresail on a long bowsprit, double headsails on both foremast and mainmast (jibs), but no jib topsail or topgallant sail. The shorter mast is called the mainmast while the taller one is known as mizzenmast. The majority of keels are gaff rigged – meaning they have trapezoidal-shaped sails attached at right angles to spars which run along their length instead of perpendicular like those found on yachts; however there are some exceptions such as boats used for ocean racing which use Bermuda rigged sails instead due to their lower center of gravity making them more stable when going fast downwind or heeling over into waves at speed during passage making voyages across oceans safer since they won’t tip over as easily during maneuvers that require sudden turns/changes in direction (like coming out from behind another boat).
Single-masted Yawl
A single-masted yawl is a boat with a fore and aft rig, with the mast located in the middle of the boat. The main sail is on the same side as the centerboard and jib (see below), which are both on opposite sides of each other. This gives you more control over your sailboat!
To get an idea of what that looks like in practice, let’s take a look at a typical single-masted yawl:
Sloop
The sloop is a single-masted sailboat, with a mainsail and a jib. The mainsail is the largest sail on the boat. It’s on the mainmast and its boom is attached to it through a set of pulleys called sheets (or halyards), which control how far forward or backward it can move. The jib is on the headstay and also uses sheets to control how far forward or backward it can be moved.
There are many different types of sloops—some have more than one jib, for example—but if you’re new to sailing, start with this one!
Schooner Sailboat
Schooners are the ultimate open-water sailboat. A schooner is a type of fore-and-aft rigged vessel that typically has two or more masts and carries fore-and-aft sails—that is, from the side rather than from the front or rear like a gaff rig. Schooners were first used by the Dutch in about 1600 and later spread to other regions and nations including Spain, England, Germany and then America (where they were known as “Yankee Clippers”).
Schooners are graceful on water yet surprisingly fast for their size. They can be steered easily with one hand while you eat lunch! They also have low centers of gravity so they’re quite stable when heeled over into an easterly wind. A schooner’s wide beam makes it perfect for rough weather conditions where high winds may come quickly without warning; its tough construction can withstand heavy seas; its large surface area allows plenty of air circulation so it won’t sink even if flooded with water up to deck height; plus there’s lots of room below deck for storage space under hatches too!
There are lots of sailboats, but not all of them will be right for you.
There are lots of different types of sailboats. Some are more suited to racing, some are better for cruising, and others can be used for fishing. There are also boats that have a lot of room for passengers and cargo, or they have more speed than others. If you’re looking to buy a boat that will suit your needs perfectly, you’ll need to consider all these factors before making your final decision on which type is right for you.
Conclusion
I hope this post helped you understand the different types of sailboats. If you want to learn more about boats, check out our blog on how to choose a boat for your needs or our ultimate guide to buying a boat.