Sailing and Sailboat Art

Sailboat artwork may depict a variety of sailboats, some types carry a single person and others carry more than one person. Sailboats are mostly classified by their sail configuration, type of hull, keel and masts.  Sailboats are also classified by hull type. Most sailboats are built with a mono or a single hull. However, some boats are built as multi hull boats. These include catamaran (twin hulls) and tri-maran (triple hull) vessels. Sailboats, which are classified by sail configuration are as follows:

Sloop

Sloop designs are is the most common variety of sailboat , The term sloop originates from the Dutch word slope. This design utilizes a mainsail and foresail with one mast. Sloops usually bend only one headsail, though this distinction is not definitive. Unlike cutters, sloops usually have only one headsail, though some sloops such as the Friendship Sloop have more than one sail. Sloops are popular with sport sailors and yachtsmen, and for racing.

Cutter

The cutter is very similar to a sloop with a single mast and a mainsail. The cutter generally carries the mast further aft to allow for the use of two headsails attached towing forestays, the head stay and the inner stay carry the jib and staysail respectively. This is rarely considered a racing configuration; however, it gives much versatility to cruising boats, especially when there are high wind conditions.

Catboat

Catboat configurations are characterized by a single mast. Catboats today are used as a pleasure craft for day sailing. 19th century catboats were also used for racing.

Ketch

Ketch designs are sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. Ketch boats are very popular among long distance cruisers. The additional sail allows for a better balance.

Dhoni

Dhoni is a motor powered sail boat it is mostly used in Maldives.

Schooner

Another popular sailboat configuration is the schooner. A schooner can have two or more masts. The second mast is at least as tall as the first mast.

Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks

Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks became common in the late 1800's. These single masted sailing vessels were relatively inexpensive to build, and their shallow draft enabled them to dredge oysters closer in to shore. Chesapeake Bay Skipjacks were often built by watermen in their backyards. A few of these sailboats still exist and are have a strong following of sailing enthusiasts.