Sailboats generally rely upon the power of wind for propulsion. And, to make the most out of it, the manufacturers tend to use either synthetic-made or cloth-made sails for the same.
But which one is the best for you?
Or, to be more specific, which one would be particularly suitable for you?
In this article, we shall take a look at the common types of sailboats available in the market. I will also talk about their features and offer some additional information too.
So, let’s begin with the article.
Types of Sailboats
When browsing through a marine website like Red Beard Sailing, you’ll probably find more choices than you need. So, it may get a little too confusing when it comes to choosing something for your purpose. Hence, to narrow your field, I’ve shared my thoughts about a few common sailboats. Let’s take a look at them and select the most suitable option for you.
Type – 1: The Sloops.
A Sloop, in short, is a single-masted sailboat, featuring two sails – a mainsail and a foresail (AKA jib or headsail). The rig of a sailboat is usually described as a Bermudian Rig, Marconi Rig, or Bermuda rig. The benefits of using this type of boat may include the following –
- It doesn’t require too much management or maintenance.
- You don’t have to spend too much money on buying sails.
- Due to their size and design, Sloops tend to be faster and more agile.
However, they usually come in a heavier or larger size. Hence, you’ll have to employ a lot more strength than usual for handling, trimming, or hoisting.
Type – 2: The Catamarans.
The catamaran is a type of multihull sailboat that comes with two symmetrical-looking hulls placed side-by-side. To complete the arching design, they’re then connected to the deck. They come with loads of other benefits too, including –
- Catamarans are efficient, fast, and offer a lot of comforts.
- Due to their design, they also don’t heel much at all and offer decent initial stability.
- They also don’t have massive size and, therefore, don’t require too much strength.
Nonetheless, the cabin placement of the boat (split between the hulls) is quite awkward. So it doesn’t leave too much space for the head, gallery, or living areas.
Type – 3: The Monohulls.
As the name implies, this type of sailboat comes with a single hull. Therefore, they feel much easier to handle and don’t have an expensive price tag too. Besides, they also –
- Have an excellent rig variety than its multihull counterparts.
- Don’t require too much maintenance.
- Offer decent motion comfort in comparison to the multihull boats.
Due to their small and frail appearance, the monohull boats lack initial stability. Nonetheless, if you are good at handling vessels, you can easily take care of this issue.
Type – 4: The Trimarans.
Like the catamarans, the trimarans are a type of multihull boat that feature three hulls placed side-by-side. However, the exterior of the ship looks almost like a catamaran. Nonetheless –
- They are much faster than both monohulls and catamarans.
- Controlling them is much easier than usual as well.
- The inclusion of an additional hull offers extra space too.
The only issue with the trimarans is that they are extremely expensive. Hence, if you want to get one, be prepared to burn a hole in your pocket.
Type – 5: The Catboats.
A Catboat is a single-masted boat with a massive, single mainsail. Their forward mast is a little thicker than usual. However, they generally don’t have any headsail. They –
- Are highly durable and, therefore, can be used in any waterbody.
- Have a functional design for fishing or boating.
- Tend to be easier to handle.
You can use these boats for offshore sailing, though. Also, due to the availability of only one sail, it offers less-precise control to the user.
Get Your “Sail” at the Right “Sale”
Honestly, buying a boat can be a super-expensive affair. Hence, you will need to find the right time to get them. For example, many companies offer a decent amount of discount during the season of festivities. So, keep an eye out for them, research properly regarding the boats, and get the suitable-most option for your purpose. Good luck!
