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Sail Plans
     
 A simplified guide to common sail plans.

Catboat

gaff rigged

Bermuda rigged
catboat
  • one mast (well forward)
  • shallow draft
  • centerboard
  • fore-and-aft rigged


  • notable catboats
  • SPRITE 1859
  • YANKEE HERO 1889

  • Sloop

    gaff rigged

    Bermuda rigged
    sloop from French chaloupe, Dutch sloep
  • one mast (forward)
  • fore-and-aft rigged
  • single headsail


    • notable sloops
  • ENDEAVOUR 1934
  • AUSTRALIA II 1983
  • STARS & STRIPES '87 1987
  • AMERICA3 1992
  • BLACK MAGIC 1993
  • SLOOP JOHN B ("Sloop John B")

  • Cutter

    gaff rigged

    Bermuda rigged
    cutter
  • bowsprit
  • one mast (roughly centered)
  • fore-and-aft rigged
  • two or more headsails

  • notable cutters
  • JACHTWERFT 1950

  • Ketch

    gaff rigged

    Bermuda rigged
    ketch
  • two masts (main, mizzen)
  • main mast taller than mizzen
  • mizzen mast afore of rudder post
  • mizzen taller, larger than yawl
  • fore-and-aft rigged

  • notable ketches
  • ATLANTIS 1931
  • STEINLAGER 2 1989

  • Yawl

    gaff rigged

    Bermuda rigged
    yawl from Dutch jol
  • two masts (main, mizzen)
  • main mast taller than mizzen
  • mizzen mast abaft of rudder post
  • mizzen shorter, smaller than ketch
  • fore-and-aft rigged

  • notable yawls
  • SPRAY 1895
  • STORMY WEATHER 1934

  • Schooner

    gaff rigged

    Bermuda rigged
    schooner from Dutch schoone
  • two or more masts (fore, main)
  • main mast taller than fore
  • fore-and-aft or square rigged

  • notable schooners
  • HMS HALIFAX 1765
  • LA AMISTAD 183?
  • PHANTOM 1850
  • AMERICA 1851
  • BLUENOSE 1921
  • AMERICAN EAGLE 1930
  • PRIDE OF BALTIMORE 1977
  • CALIFORNIAN 1984
  • HISPANIOLA ("Treasure Island")
  • WE'RE HERE ("Captains Courageous")
  • GHOSE ("The Sea Wolf")

  • Snow
    snow from Dutch snauw
  • bowsprit
  • two masts (fore, main)
  • snow- or trysail-mast abaft main mast
  • square rigged (fore, main)

  • notable snows
  • USS LAWRENCE 1813
  • USS NIAGARA 1813

  • Brigantine
    brigantine
  • bowsprit
  • two masts (fore, main)
  • square rigged (fore, upper main)
  • gaff sail mainsail

    • notable brigantines
  • EYE OF THE WIND 1911

  • Brig
    brig
  • bowsprit
  • two masts (fore, main)
  • square rigged (fore, main)
  • square sail mainsail

  • notable brigs
  • PRIDE 1815
  • HMS BEAGLE 1820
  • COVENANT ("Kidnapped")
  • JOLLY ROGER ("Peter Pan")

  • Barkentine
    barkentine
  • bowsprit
  • three or more masts (fore, main, mizzen)
  • square rigged (fore)
  • fore-and-aft rigged (main, mizzen)

  • notable barkentines
  • ENDURANCE 1912
  • ESMERELDA 1953
  • SPIRIT OF NEW ZEALAND 1986
  • CONCORDIA 1992

  • Bark
    bark from Latin barca
  • bowsprit
  • three or more masts (fore, main, mizzen)
  • square rigged (fore, main)
  • fore-and-aft rigged (mizzen)

  • notable barks
  • CHARLES W MORGAN 1841
  • SALMON P CHASE 1878
  • STAR OF INDIA 1901
  • USCGG EAGLE 1936

  • Full Rigged Ship
    full rigged ship
  • bowsprit
  • three or more masts (fore, main, mizzen)
  • square rigged (fore, main, mizzen)

  • notable full rigged ships
  • HMS VICTORY 1765
  • USS CONSTIUTION 1797
  • USS CONSTELLATION 1797
  • SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS 1852
  • CUTTY SARK 1869
  • AMERIGO VESPUCCI 1931