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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPINNAKER AND A GENNAKER

Understanding these two sail types can help you figure out which will be best for your boat..

Like the Spork (a combination of spoon and fork), the name gennaker came from combining two very different sail types into one: a genoa and a spinnaker. Unlike the spork, gennakers are an entirely new sail type that demonstrate the sailing industry’s leading edge.

What exactly is a gennaker? In short, a gennaker has a genoa’s form (asymmetric, head and tack pinned, sheets tied to the clew) with the wide girth of a spinnaker. The gennaker is an all-purpose downwind sail, while spinnakers are built for specific downwind apparent wind angles.

Because designs are changing so quickly, the term gennaker can seem complicated. First, let’s make sure we understand the two original sail types: the spinnaker and the genoa.

What is a Spinnaker?

A popular online dictionary defines spinnaker as: “a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind.” When spinnakers were all symmetric, that dictionary definition would’ve been fine.

Today, things are a bit more complicated.

Symmetric Spinnakers and Asymmetric Spinnakers

We now describe the spinnakers in the picture below as symmetric spinnakers. Divide one in half vertically, and the two sides are mirror images. The windward corner is held out with a pole attached to the windward side of the mast, and to change course (or jibe), that pole is switched to the opposite corner . Unlike a headsail, there is no defined tack or clew; both are clews, until the pole is attached and that corner becomes the tack.

(Told you it was complicated.)

12 metre worlds, Ian Roman, North Sails, Newport, RI 2019

Symmetric spinnakers remain a viable sail type for downwind sailing on boats equipped with spinnaker poles and the necessary running rigging. They fly well when sailing “deep,” with the spinnaker pole squared well aft – or as the dictionary says, “when running before the wind.”

Over the past few decades, another spinnaker type has become increasingly popular – the asymmetric spinnaker or “A-sail.” An asymmetric spinnaker has three distinct corners :

the head (attached to the halyard and hoisted all the way up the mast);
the tack (attached by a short adjustable tackline to the bow/bowsprit);
the clew (attached to the two sheets that run down each side of the boat).

Hmm, that sounds a lot more like a jib or genoa…

Asymmetric spinnakers are popular on boats that have permanent bowsprits or retractable poles. They are also used by cruising sailors because they are easier to handle than symmetric spinnakers.

While symmetric spinnakers and asymmetric spinnakers look different , they are both spinnakers under the measurement guidelines of most racing rules. We won’t go into the specifics of sail measurement protocols here, but the purpose is to see that spinnakers carry substantial girth (width) and are therefore useful when reaching/running. A wide, curvy, sail like this simply won’t fly upwind.

What is a Genoa?

If you google ‘Genoa’, this is what you will probably find: “a large jib or foresail whose foot extends aft of the mast, used especially on racing yachts.” All jibs and genoas are asymmetric; divide one in half vertically, and the two resulting pieces are hardly mirror images. Here again, the racing rule measurement guidelines help further define the standard form of a jib or genoa:

Triangular, with not nearly as much girth as a spinnaker,
with only one corner (the clew) allowed to roam freely (with sheets attached to keep it under control).

What is a Gennaker?

One day several years ago, someone thought: “maybe we should take a genoa’s form (asymmetric dimensions, head and tack pinned down, a couple of sheets tied to the clew) and give it more girth, like a spinnaker. That’s just crazy enough to work! But what to call this genoa/spinnaker?” And so was born the gennaker.

A gennaker won’t fly upwind like a genoa. And it’s not as efficient as a spinnaker built for specific downwind apparent wind angles. But a gennaker fits the bill nicely as an all-purpose downwind sail for reaching/(almost) running. And because no spinnaker pole is needed, a gennaker is a lot easier to rig and fly than a symmetric spinnaker.

A gennaker has the asymmetric form of a genoa with the girth (width) of a spinnaker.

Is a Gennaker for Cruising or Racing?

Is a gennaker a cruising sail or a racing sail? Yes. Depending. Many racing rules require a specific minimum girth measurement for a spinnaker and a maximum girth measurement to qualify as a legal headsail – leaving a no-go-zone in between. As it happens, this “illegal” sail size range for racing makes for a very manageable cruising gennaker .

Recently, rating/handicap rules have begun erasing this gap zone – maybe you’ve heard the term “tweener” sail? If you have a gennaker, your sailmaker can help you determine whether it qualifies for the type of racing you want to do.

Another reason the term gennaker is confusing is that its use has evolved differently around the world. Depending on your location, the name might refer to a cruising-oriented sail configuration. Or it could describe a very high tech, close-wind angle, grand prix level A-sail. If you need help, ask your local North exper t to explain the usage.

Developments in Gennaker Technology

Gennaker development has been moving very rapidly in recent years for both cruising and racing. A great example is the North Sails Helix Furling Gennaker . For more information about the industry’s leading edge, please refer to Helix, Load-sharing, and Structured Luff. So much more than a spork, a gennaker is a great addition to your downwind sailing inventory—for racing or cruising.

North Sails is excited to introduce the Helix Furling Gennaker, a new sail type for the cruising community. The structured luff Helix Furling Gennaker eliminates the heavy cable needed for traditional furling and is the most reliable and easy to use top-down furling cruising sail in the world.

Helix Structured Luff transforms how sails fly and is key to building a modern inventory. Our cruising sails with structured luff provide a more reliable furl than a sail weighed down with a heavy furling cable, are lighter and easier to handle, and have a wider range of wind angles. That cuts down down the number of sails you need onboard, as well as wear and tear, which make them the perfect downwind addition to your cruising wardrobe.

With a range of materials to choose from, a Helix Furling Gennaker is customized to boat size and use: from family cruiser to superyacht. Once reserved for 3Di sails, Helix Structured Luff is available in a range of materials from woven polyester to 3Di. Where requested, an optional LightWeight UV Cover can be added to the Helix Furling Gennaker. For more information, contact your nearest North Sails expert .

The Most Popular Types Of Sails On A Sailboat

A sloop-rigged sailboat typically features a mainsail, a headsail, and an additional light-wind sail, such as a spinnaker or Gennaker. The mainsail is rigged aft of the mast, while the headsail is attached to the forestay. The two most commonly used headsails are the Genoa and Jib.

The sails are vital parts of a sailboat since you obviously couldn’t sail without them! There are many different sails depending on the type of sailboat and its rig configuration, and we’ll walk through them together in this article.

The different types of sails on a sailboat

We can divide the selection of sails on a sailboat into three categories:

Standard sails

Light-wind sails

Storm sails

Each category serves different purposes depending on the vessel’s rig configuration and the sail’s functionality.

The standard sails

The standard sails usually form a sailboat’s basic sail plan and include :

The Mainsail
The Staysail
The Mizzen sail

These sails are the ones that are used most frequently on sloop, ketch, and cutter-rigged sailboats and are usually set up to be ready to use quickly.

Headsails are often rolled up on a furler, while the main and mizzen sail are stored on the boom or furled into the mast.

The halyards and sheets are kept within easy reach, making these sails the primary choice in most situations. Let’s dive further into each of them.

The mainsail is a triangular sail that flies behind the mast on top of the boom . Although it may not always be the largest sail on the vessel, we commonly refer to it as “the main.”

It is a vital sail, and keeping the sail shape trimmed properly on every point of sail is crucial for the stability and performance of the boat.

A Jib sail is a headsail that does not overlap the mainsail. It is typically between 100% and 115% of the foretriangle but can also be smaller. The foretriangle is the triangular area formed by the mast, deck, and forestay. The Jib is often used with a self-tacking system involving a sheet traveler in front of the mast.

This sail is often seen on newer boats with fractional rigs, which typically have a larger mainsail area than the headsail area. However, the Jib is versatile and also used in other configurations.

People often mix the terms Genoa and Jib. Many refer to any headsail as a Jib, which is incorrect. I personally prefer to use the correct terms to avoid confusion .

A Genoa sail resembles a large Jib but extends past the mast and overlaps the mainsail. Genoas are usually larger than 115% of the foretriangle , with sizes ranging from 120% to 150%. They are often used on vessels with masthead rigs and smaller mainsails but are also common on fractional rigs.

The Staysail is typically found on cutter rigs and is set on the inner forestay or cutter stay. It can be combined with other sails, such as a Jib, Genoa, or Yankee, or on its own in stronger winds.

The Staysail is also useful when sailing downwind, as it can be paired with a headsail and extended to opposite sides of the boat using a pole.

The Yankee sail resembles a Genoa and Jib but has a high-cut clew. This shape allows for improved airflow when used with another headsail. The Yankee is often used on cutter-rigged boats in combination with a staysail and is known for its versatility in different wind conditions.

Mizzen Sail

A mizzen sail is similar to the mainsail, only smaller . It is set on the aft mast of a boat with multiple masts, such as a ketch rig. The mizzen sail is usually used to provide balance and stability to the vessel and provides additional power when sailing downwind.

Another handy usage is to fly the mizzen at anchor to keep the bow up against waves and swell.

The light-wind sails are large, made of thin nylon, and typically shaped like a half-balloon. They are a type of headsails that are great when the winds are too light to fill the standard headsail and are often used when sailing downwind.

The four most commonly used light-wind sails are:

The Spinnaker
The Gennaker
The Code Zero
The Parasailor

They all provide excellent forward propulsion on a sailboat but usually require some extra rigging to be set.

Experienced cruisers love to use light-wind sails in nice weather, but they have a critical weakness to be aware of. These sails easily get overpowered when the wind increases, and I strongly advise being careful and observant of the wind conditions when flying them.

(Yes, I have managed to rip mine on one occasion due to getting overpowered, but that’s a different story…)

Let’s continue and take a closer look at each of the light wind sails.

A Spinnaker sail is a large, lightweight downwind sail used at deep angles between 120 and 180 degrees. It is symmetrical in shape with two clews and is often brightly colored.

The Spinnaker is set by using a pole to extend the sail’s clew to the vessel’s side. Then, a sheet is attached to the other clew and led back to the stern of the boat.

A Gennaker sail combines the characteristics of the Genoa and Spinnaker. It is made of nylon like the Spinnaker but is asymmetrical like a Genoa and rigged slightly differently. The tack is attached to the bow, and the clew has a sheet led aft to the cockpit. The Gennaker can be equipped with a snuffer to make it even easier to set up and take down.

It is popular among cruisers because it is simpler to use than a spinnaker and it doesn’t require a pole. The sail is effective at angles between 90 degrees and almost all the way down to 180 degrees, making it versatile for various light-wind conditions.

A Parasailor is similar to the Spinnaker in many aspects but has some distinct differences. It has a double-layer wing that inflates as the sail is filled with air, creating a batten-like effect pushing the leech out while providing lift to the bow.

The wing also helps to prevent the rolling movements you get with a Spinnaker and the collapsing of the leech that can occur with a Gennaker at deep angles.

This makes the parasailor effective at sailing angles between 70 and 180 degrees dead downwind. Parasailors can be set like a Gennaker when reaching or with a pole like the Spinnaker for running downwind.

A Code Zero sail combines some elements of the Genoa and Gennaker. Unlike the Gennaker, the Code Zero has a different shape, allowing it to be used while sailing upwind.

Another benefit is that it can be used with a furler which makes it easy to roll in and out. However, it can’t replace the Gennaker or Spinnaker entirely, as it is not effective at sailing angles deeper than 120 degrees.

If you see a big yacht with three forestay’s, the forward one probably holds a code zero sail. A bow spirit allows the ability to fly additional light wind sails as well!

Storm Sails

The storm sails consist of a small Mainsail and Jib in heavy-duty materials designed for rough conditions. These sails enable us to maintain speed and stability in the boat in severe weather too strong for the standard sails.

Storm sails are often brightly colored , such as red, orange, or yellow, to make them more visible at sea.

Storm Mainsail

A storm mainsail is used when the reefing setup doesn’t allow the standard mainsail area to be reduced enough to prevent overpowering. The sail can handle rough conditions and is excellent for maintaining stability.

A storm Jib is used when the headsail has been furled to the point where it is no longer effective. It is especially useful for sailboats rigged with a Genoa, as the Genoa gets inefficient when heavily reefed. As the storm Jib is smaller than the standard headsail, it also lowers the center of gravity, making the vessel heel less and become more stable.

Explaining the terms for the parts of a sail

Let us talk some more about sails. The goal is to go sailing, right?

Identifying the different parts of the sails is crucial to understanding which lines go where.

Let’s zoom in on a sail and break down the terms :

The head is the top corner of the sail . Most mainsails have a headboard or plate where the halyard is connected, while headsails use a metal ring. A halyard is a line we use to raise and lower sails with.

The leech is the aft part of a sail , located between the clew and head. We use a combination of the outhaul, main sheet, and traveler to trim and adjust the leech on the mainsail.

The headsail’s leech is trimmed by adjusting sheet tension and angle according to the wind speed and direction. A traveler is a track with a movable car or pulley system for adjusting the position and angle of a sheet, and most sailboats have one main traveler for the mainsail and car tracks along the side decks for the headsail.

The luff of a sail is the front part of the sail between the tack and head. On a mainsail, the luff runs vertically along the mast and along or close to the forestay on a headsail. Headsails are often equipped with luff foam to help maintain their shape when partially reefed on a furler.

Battens are slats or tubes inserted into pockets on the mainsail to help the sail maintain its shape and increase its lifespan . A traditional sail hoisted and lowered on the boom typically has horizontal battens. Vessels with in-mast furling can use vertical battens instead of horizontal ones.

A fully battened Mainsail has the battens run through the entire sail length from the luff to the leech.
A standard battened main sail has the battens along the sail’s leech.

Telltales are small ropes, bands, or flags attached to a sail to give an indication of the airflow around the sail. They help us understand how the wind affects the sail and allow us to fine-tune the trim for optimal performance. Telltales are usually found on the mainsail’s leech and in the front of the headsail’s leech.

The clew of a sail is the lower aft corner and where the outhaul is connected on a mainsail. Headsails have sheets attached to their clew for controlling and trimming the shape and tension.

The tack is the lower, forward corner of a sail. On a traditional Mainsail, the tack is attached to the Gooseneck, a hinge in front of the boom attached to the mast.

With in-mast furling, the tack is connected to the furling mechanism. This mechanism is used to roll the sail into the mast.

The headsails tack is connected to a furler drum on the forestay on most sailboats. Vessels using traditional hank-on headsails connect the tack to a fixed point on the bow.

The foot of the mainsail is the bottom portion of the sail between the clew and the tack. It is trimmed using the outhaul, a line attached to the clew, and used to adjust the tension on the foot of the sail. Some mainsail are configured loose-footed, and others are attach-footed.

The foot of the headsail is trimmed by adjusting the tension and angle of the sheets, which are the lines used to control the headsail’s clew. We use cars, or pulleys, to adjust the angle of the sheets and thus the trim of the headsail.

Traditional and less commonly seen sails

We’ve now looked at the most commonly used sails and walked through the different parts of them. But what about the less common ones? The art of sailing has a rich history, with some unique sail designs that we rarely see today.

Read on if you want to peek into some traditional sails, or skip straight to popular sail and mast configurations here.

Square sails

Square sails are rectangular and usually set across a ship’s mast, mostly seen on traditional square-rigged sailing ships and Viking ships. These sails are efficient for downwind sailing and are hung from horizontal spars called yards. Though not as agile as modern fore-and-aft sails when sailing upwind, they were central to naval exploration for centuries. Today, they’re mainly seen on traditional vessels and tall ships, symbolizing maritime heritage.

If you’ve been to Martinique in the summer, you may also have noticed the round skiff sailboats the local fishermen traditionally used for fishing in the Atlantic Ocean with their distinctive big squared sails. Tour de Martinique des Yoles Rondes is a popular yearly event where the locals race and show off these beautiful old boats with colorful sails!

A gaff sail is a traditional four-sided sail held up by a horizontal spar called the “gaff.” They are used on classic gaff-rigged sailboats and allow for a larger sail area with a shorter mast. Gaff-rigged boats were traditionally popular and usually carried 25% more sail area than the equivalent Bermudan rig, making them fast on a downwind run. The Gaff rig could also carry a topsail between the gaff and the mast.

However, they don’t sail well to windward, and modern designs have shifted towards triangular sails for better upwind performance.

Jib-headed topsail

The Jib-headed topsail is a small triangular sail used on gaff rigs and is set between the gaff and the top of the mast.

A lug sail is an angled, four-sided sail that attaches at a point on its top side, making it hang tilted. The sail is simple to use and often found on smaller or older boats. There are different types, like standing, dipping, and balance lugs, each hanging differently around the mast.

The lug sail evolved from the square sail to improve how close the vessels could sail into the wind. Because of their upwind performance, fishermen used them widely in Europe from the seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries.

Sprit sails

The spritsail, with its unique four-sided design, stands out thanks to a diagonal support called the “sprit.” It was traditionally popular in Thames sailing barges due to its ability to accommodate high-deck cargo. These days, it’s primarily found in smaller boats like the Optimist dinghy in a variant called “leg of mutton spritsail.”

The spritsail was also used in traditional wooden boats like the fearing version of the Oselvar wooden boat traditionally used in western Norway.

It is also commonly used by the indigenous Guna Yala tribes in Panama in their dugout Ulu’s up to this day. We saw plenty of them when we cruised along the coast, and some of them approached us to sell us their delicious catch of the day!

Lateen sails

A lateen sail is a triangular sail set on a long spar angled on the mast. It was originally popular in the Mediterranean and on Arab shows, and its design enhanced maneuverability and played a crucial role in historic sea exploration.

The lateen sail was used on lateen rigs, the predecessor to the Bermuda rig – one of today’s most commonly used rigs!

Which brings us to the following topic:

Popular sail and mast configurations

There are many different rigs and sail configurations between sailing vessels. From the old-school square rigs to schooners, gaff rigs, and more. However, this article will focus on the three most popular rigs seen on modern sailboats:

The Bermuda Sloop Rig
The Cutter Rig
The Ketch Rig

The three rigs have similarities and differences between their sail and mast configurations. We’ll walk through each of them to understand how they utilize their different types of sail.

If you want to learn more about other rigs, take a look here .

Bermuda Sloop Rig

The Bermuda sloop rig is the most common rig on modern vessels. It is characterized by a single mast, a triangular mainsail, and a headsail. This rig is named after the Bermuda Islands, where it was developed in the 17th century.

Some of the key features of the Bermuda sloop rig:

The mast is typically tall and raked, which allows for a large sail area and excellent stabilit y.
The mainsail is attached to the mast and boom. It is usually combined with a single headsail at the front of the boat, making it powerful and easy to sail.
The Sloop is usually equipped with a masthead or fractional rig and flies a Jib or Genoa as its primary headsail.

The Bermuda Sloop rig is known for its simplicity, is often used for racing and cruising, and is popular among sailors worldwide.

The cutter rig is very similar to the sloop rig. The significant difference is that it has a single mast and two headsails – a Staysail and a Yankee. The cutter rig is known for its versatility due to the multiple options in sail plans and the double headsail setup.

Some key aspects that separate the Cutter from the Sloop:

The rig is often more robust than its Sloop sister because of the additional cutter stay and running backstays.
The mast is located closer to the center of the boat.
The Cutter has a staysail on the inner forestay and a Yankee sail on the outer. The sails can be used in combination with each other or independently.
Tacking the headsail between the forestay and cutter stay is more involved than on a sloop.
The Cutter rig has two similar variations: the Slutter rig and the Solent rig.

Like the Sloop, the Cutter rig is relatively easy to operate. Still, the additional headsail and rigging make it costlier to maintain. It is also less suitable for racing than the Sloop, but the added versatility helps in different weather conditions and makes it an excellent choice for cruisers.

The ketch rig is also similar to the Sloop but has an additional mizzen mast placed further aft of the main mast. Another mast gives it the advantage of even higher versatility in sail plans. The ketch typically uses three sails. The mizzen sail, a mainsail, and a headsail. The mizzen mast also allows it to fly a second light-wind sail.

Here are a few more distinctions of the ketch rig:

The ketch typically carries a smaller mainsail than a similarly sized sloop and a smaller mizzen sail.
A small mizzen and a medium mainsail are easier to handle than one large mainsail.
The additional mizzen sail makes the vessel easy to balance and gives extra stability downwind.
The ketch usually doesn’t point as close to the wind as the Sloop and Cutter.

The headsail setup on a ketch is generally the same as for the Sloop. But the ketch can also be rigged as a cutter ketch, which gives it the benefits of the cutter rig! The tradeoff with a cutter-rigged ketch is the higher complexity and additional rigging, hardware, and sails required.

Final words

Well done, you now have a good grasp of the most common sails and their strengths. We have discussed a few rigs and how they utilize different kinds of sails in various sail plans. Remember that more sail types, other rigs, and even more variations are available. It is a complex topic, but this guide covers the basics and gives you a great starting point.

If you still have questions, look below at the FAQ, or leave me a comment. I’m more than happy to help you out!

A sailboat is only as good as its sails, and sails need wind to work. The next logical step is learning how the wind works when we sail and practicing some wind awareness! Head to the following guide to continue your research: Learn The Difference Between True And Apparent Wind Speed.

FAQ: The Different Types of Sails On A Sailboat

What is the foretriangle on a sailboat.

The foretriangle on a sailboat refers to the triangular area formed between the mast, forestay, and deck. If you want to order a new headsail, for example, you’ll have to measure and supply the sailmaker with these details.

What is the difference between a loose-footed and attached-footed mainsail?

A loose-footed mainsail is attached to the boom only at its corners, leaving the rest of the sail’s bottom edge free. An attached-footed mainsail, on the other hand, is secured to the boom along its entire length. The main difference lies in how the bottom of the sail connects to the boom, with the loose-footed design offering more adjustability in the sail shape.

What is a high-cut clew on a sail?

A high-cut clew refers to the design of a foresail, such as a jib or genoa, where the back lower corner (the clew) is raised or “cut” higher above the deck compared to standard designs. This design allows for better visibility beneath the sail and makes it easier to sail over waves without the sail touching the water, which is especially beneficial for offshore or blue-water cruising. Very high-cut clews are commonly seen on yankee sails on cutter-rigged sailboats.

What is luff foam on a sail?

Luff foam is a padded strip sewn into the forward edge of roller furling sails. It ensures the sail is appropriately shaped when partially rolled up, especially in strong winds. This foam not only helps with sail performance but also protects the sail when it’s furled.

What are the most common sails?

The sloop rig sailboat is the most common and usually features a mainsail, a headsail, and an additional light-wind sail, such as a spinnaker or Gennaker.

What are the different types of sails?

There are several different types of sails, and we can divide the most common into three categories:

The standard sails:

Mizzen sail

The light-wind sails

The storm sails:

Storm mainsail
Storm jib

What is a spinnaker sail?

A Spinnaker sail is a large, lightweight downwind sail used at deep angles between 120 and 180 degrees.

What is a Jib sail?

A Jib sail is a headsail that does not overlap the mainsail and is set on the forestay. The Jib can also be set up with a self-tacking system, making it very effective when sailing into the wind.

Is Genoa sail the same as a jib?

People often mix the terms Genoa and Jib. The Genoa is different from a Jib sail as it is larger and overlaps the mainsail, whereas the Jib is smaller and does not overlap the mainsail.

What is a Genoa sail?

A Genoa is a headsail larger than the Jib extending past the mast and overlapping the mainsail. The advantage over the Jib is the larger sail area, making it more effective when sailing off the wind.

How many types of sail plans are there?

Sail plans refer to the configuration and arrangement of sails on a boat or ship. While there are countless customizations and variations, the three most common sail plans are:

Sloop: Characterized by a single mast, a triangular mainsail, and a headsail.

Cutter: Similar to a sloop but has a single mast and carries two or more headsails.

Ketch: Features two masts, with the aft mast (called the mizzen) shorter than the main mast.

What is a Mainsail?

The mainsail is a triangular sail that flies behind the mast on top of the boom.

What is a Gennaker?

A gennaker is basically an asymmetrical spinnaker. A hybrid sail that combines the characteristics of a Genoa and a Spinnaker, designed for sailing off the wind and often used in light to moderate wind conditions.

What is a Storm Jib?

A storm jib is a small, heavy-duty sail used in strong winds or stormy conditions. It is commonly used when the headsail has been furled to the point where it is no longer effective.

What factors determine the type of sail to be used?

The type of sail to be used depends on various factors such as wind conditions, points of sail, sailboat size , and sailing experience. It’s smart to choose the appropriate sail for optimal performance. A Jib, for example, will be more effective than a Genoa while sailing to windward, and vice versa.

How do sails affect the performance of a sailboat?

Sails are the engine of a sailboat. Their design, size, and trim influence the boat’s speed, direction, and stability. Properly adjusted sails capture wind efficiently, allowing the boat to move faster and in the desired direction.

The balance and condition of the sails also impact comfort and safety, with well-maintained sails ensuring optimal performance. The sails are essential in determining how a sailboat performs in various wind conditions.

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Skipper, Electrician and ROV Pilot

Robin is the founder and owner of Sailing Ellidah and has been living on his sailboat since 2019. He is currently on a journey to sail around the world and is passionate about writing his story and helpful content to inspire others who share his interest in sailing.

Your article gave me a lot of inspiration, I hope you can explain your point of view in more detail, because I have some doubts, thank you.

What specifically do you want my point of view on?

The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)

What's that sail for? Generally, I don't know. So I've come up with a system. I'll explain you everything there is to know about sails and rigs in this article.

What are the different types of sails? Most sailboats have one mainsail and one headsail. Typically, the mainsail is a fore-and-aft bermuda rig (triangular shaped). A jib or genoa is used for the headsail. Most sailors use additional sails for different conditions: the spinnaker (a common downwind sail), gennaker, code zero (for upwind use), and stormsail.

Each sail has its own use. Want to go downwind fast? Use a spinnaker. But you can't just raise any sail and go for it. It's important to understand when (and how) to use each sail. Your rigging also impacts what sails you can use.

Cruising yacht with mainsail, headsail, and gennaker

Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types (with Pictures)

First I'll give you a quick and dirty overview of sails in this list below. Then, I'll walk you through the details of each sail type, and the sail plan, which is the godfather of sail type selection so to speak.

Click here if you just want to scroll through a bunch of pictures .

Here's a list of different models of sails: (Don't worry if you don't yet understand some of the words, I'll explain all of them in a bit)

Jib - triangular staysail
Genoa - large jib that overlaps the mainsail
Spinnaker - large balloon-shaped downwind sail for light airs
Gennaker - crossover between a Genoa and Spinnaker
Code Zero or Screecher - upwind spinnaker
Drifter or reacher - a large, powerful, hanked on genoa, but made from lightweight fabric
Windseeker - tall, narrow, high-clewed, and lightweight jib
Trysail - smaller front-and-aft mainsail for heavy weather
Storm jib - small jib for heavy weather

I have a big table below that explains the sail types and uses in detail .

I know, I know ... this list is kind of messy, so to understand each sail, let's place them in a system.

The first important distinction between sail types is the placement . The mainsail is placed aft of the mast, which simply means behind. The headsail is in front of the mast.

Generally, we have three sorts of sails on our boat:

Mainsail: The large sail behind the mast which is attached to the mast and boom
Headsail: The small sail in front of the mast, attached to the mast and forestay (ie. jib or genoa)
Specialty sails: Any special utility sails, like spinnakers - large, balloon-shaped sails for downwind use

The second important distinction we need to make is the functionality . Specialty sails (just a name I came up with) each have different functionalities and are used for very specific conditions. So they're not always up, but most sailors carry one or more of these sails.

They are mostly attached in front of the headsail, or used as a headsail replacement.

The specialty sails can be divided into three different categories:

downwind sails - like a spinnaker
light air or reacher sails - like a code zero
storm sails

The parts of any sail

Whether large or small, each sail consists roughly of the same elements. For clarity's sake I've took an image of a sail from the world wide webs and added the different part names to it:

Diagram explaining sail parts: head, luff, tack, foot, clew, and leech

Head: Top of the sail
Tack: Lower front corner of the sail
Foot: Bottom of the sail
Luff: Forward edge of the sail
Leech: Back edge of the sail
Clew: Bottom back corner of the sail

So now we speak the same language, let's dive into the real nitty gritty.

Basic sail shapes

Roughly speaking, there are actually just two sail shapes, so that's easy enough. You get to choose from:

square rigged sails
fore-and-aft rigged sails

I would definitely recommend fore-and-aft rigged sails. Square shaped sails are pretty outdated. The fore-and-aft rig offers unbeatable maneuverability, so that's what most sailing yachts use nowadays.

Green tall ship with green square rigged sails against urban background

Square sails were used on Viking longships and are good at sailing downwind. They run from side to side. However, they're pretty useless upwind.

A fore-and-aft sail runs from the front of the mast to the stern. Fore-and-aft literally means 'in front and behind'. Boats with fore-and-aft rigged sails are better at sailing upwind and maneuvering in general. This type of sail was first used on Arabic boats.

As a beginner sailor I confuse the type of sail with rigging all the time. But I should cut myself some slack, because the rigging and sails on a boat are very closely related. They are all part of the sail plan .

A sail plan is made up of:

Mast configuration - refers to the number of masts and where they are placed
Sail type - refers to the sail shape and functionality
Rig type - refers to the way these sails are set up on your boat

There are dozens of sails and hundreds of possible configurations (or sail plans).

For example, depending on your mast configuration, you can have extra headsails (which then are called staysails).

The shape of the sails depends on the rigging, so they overlap a bit. To keep it simple I'll first go over the different sail types based on the most common rig. I'll go over the other rig types later in the article.

Bermuda Sloop: the most common rig

Most modern small and mid-sized sailboats have a Bermuda sloop configuration . The sloop is one-masted and has two sails, which are front-and-aft rigged. This type of rig is also called a Marconi Rig. The Bermuda rig uses a triangular sail, with just one side of the sail attached to the mast.

The mainsail is in use most of the time. It can be reefed down, making it smaller depending on the wind conditions. It can be reefed down completely, which is more common in heavy weather. (If you didn't know already: reefing is skipper terms for rolling or folding down a sail.)

In very strong winds (above 30 knots), most sailors only use the headsail or switch to a trysail.

The headsail powers your bow, the mainsail powers your stern (rear). By having two sails, you can steer by using only your sails (in theory - it requires experience). In any case, two sails gives you better handling than one, but is still easy to operate.

Let's get to the actual sails. The mainsail is attached behind the mast and to the boom, running to the stern. There are multiple designs, but they actually don't differ that much. So the following list is a bit boring. Feel free to skip it or quickly glance over it.

Square Top racing mainsail - has a high performance profile thanks to the square top, optional reef points
Racing mainsail - made for speed, optional reef points
Cruising mainsail - low-maintenance, easy to use, made to last. Generally have one or multiple reef points.
Full-Batten Cruising mainsail - cruising mainsail with better shape control. Eliminates flogging. Full-length battens means the sail is reinforced over the entire length. Generally have one or multiple reef points.
High Roach mainsail - crossover between square top racing and cruising mainsail, used mostly on cats and multihulls. Generally have one or multiple reef points.
Mast Furling mainsail - sails specially made to roll up inside the mast - very convenient but less control; of sail shape. Have no reef points
Boom Furling mainsail - sails specially made to roll up inside the boom. Have no reef points.

The headsail is the front sail in a front-and-aft rig. The sail is fixed on a stay (rope, wire or rod) which runs forward to the deck or bowsprit. It's almost always triangular (Dutch fishermen are known to use rectangular headsail). A triangular headsail is also called a jib .

Headsails can be attached in two ways:

using roller furlings - the sail rolls around the headstay
hank on - fixed attachment

Types of jibs:

Typically a sloop carries a regular jib as its headsail. It can also use a genoa.

A jib is a triangular staysail set in front of the mast. It's the same size as the fore-triangle.
A genoa is a large jib that overlaps the mainsail.

What's the purpose of a jib sail? A jib is used to improve handling and to increase sail area on a sailboat. This helps to increase speed. The jib gives control over the bow (front) of the ship, making it easier to maneuver the ship. The mainsail gives control over the stern of the ship. The jib is the headsail (frontsail) on a front-and-aft rig.

The size of the jib is generally indicated by a number - J1, 2, 3, and so on. The number tells us the attachment point. The order of attachment points may differ per sailmaker, so sometimes J1 is the largest jib (on the longest stay) and sometimes it's the smallest (on the shortest stay). Typically the J1 jib is the largest - and the J3 jib the smallest.

Most jibs are roller furling jibs: this means they are attached to a stay and can be reefed down single-handedly. If you have a roller furling you can reef down the jib to all three positions and don't need to carry different sizes.

Originally called the 'overlapping jib', the leech of the genoa extends aft of the mast. This increases speed in light and moderate winds. A genoa is larger than the total size of the fore-triangle. How large exactly is indicated by a percentage.

A number 1 genoa is typically 155% (it used to be 180%)
A number 2 genoa is typically 125-140%

Genoas are typically made from 1.5US/oz polyester spinnaker cloth, or very light laminate.

A small sloop using an overlapping genoa

This is where it gets pretty interesting. You can use all kinds of sails to increase speed, handling, and performance for different weather conditions.

Some rules of thumb:

Large sails are typically good for downwind use, small sails are good for upwind use.
Large sails are good for weak winds (light air), small sails are good for strong winds (storms).

Downwind sails

Thanks to the front-and-aft rig sailboats are easier to maneuver, but they catch less wind as well. Downwind sails are used to offset this by using a large sail surface, pulling a sailboat downwind. They can be hanked on when needed and are typically balloon shaped.

Here are the most common downwind sails:

Big gennaker
Small gennaker

A free-flying sail that fills up with air, giving it a balloon shape. Spinnakers are generally colorful, which is why they look like kites. This downwind sail has the largest sail area, and it's capable of moving a boat with very light wind. They are amazing to use on trade wind routes, where they can help you make quick progress.

Spinnakers require special rigging. You need a special pole and track on your mast. You attach the sail at three points: in the mast head using a halyard, on a pole, and on a sheet.

The spinnaker is symmetrical, meaning the luff is as long as its leech. It's designed for broad reaching.

Large sailing yacht sailing coastal water using a true spinnaker

Gennaker or cruising spinnaker

The Gennaker is a cross between the genoa and the spinnaker. It has less downwind performance than the spinnaker. It is a bit smaller, making it slower, but also easier to handle - while it remains very capable. The cruising spinnaker is designed for broad reaching.

The gennaker is a smaller, asymmetric spinnaker that's doesn't require a pole or track on the mast. Like the spinnaker, and unlike the genoa, the gennaker is set flying. Asymmetric means its luff is longer than its leech.

You can get big and small gennakers (roughly 75% and 50% the size of a true spinnaker).

Also called ...

the cruising spinnaker
cruising chute
pole-less spinnaker
SpinDrifter

... it's all the same sail.

Small sloops using colorful gennakers in grey water

Light air sails

There's a bit of overlap between the downwind sails and light air sails. Downwind sails can be used as light air sails, but not all light air sails can be used downwind.

Here are the most common light air sails:

Spinnaker and gennaker

Drifter reacher

Code zero reacher.

A drifter (also called a reacher) is a lightweight, larger genoa for use in light winds. It's roughly 150-170% the size of a genoa. It's made from very lightweight laminated spinnaker fabric (1.5US/oz).

Thanks to the extra sail area the sail offers better downwind performance than a genoa. It's generally made from lightweight nylon. Thanks to it's genoa characteristics the sail is easier to use than a cruising spinnaker.

The code zero reacher is officially a type of spinnaker, but it looks a lot like a large genoa. And that's exactly what it is: a hybrid cross between the genoa and the asymmetrical spinnaker (gennaker). The code zero however is designed for close reaching, making it much flatter than the spinnaker. It's about twice the size of a non-overlapping jib.

Volvo Ocean race ships using code zero and jib J1

A windseeker is a small, free-flying staysail for super light air. It's tall and thin. It's freestanding, so it's not attached to the headstay. The tack attaches to a deck pad-eye. Use your spinnakers' halyard to raise it and tension the luff.

It's made from nylon or polyester spinnaker cloth (0.75 to 1.5US/oz).

It's designed to guide light air onto the lee side of the main sail, ensuring a more even, smooth flow of air.

Stormsails are stronger than regular sails, and are designed to handle winds of over 45 knots. You carry them to spare the mainsail. Sails

A storm jib is a small triangular staysail for use in heavy weather. If you participate in offshore racing you need a mandatory orange storm jib. It's part of ISAF's requirements.

A trysail is a storm replacement for the mainsail. It's small, triangular, and it uses a permanently attached pennant. This allows it to be set above the gooseneck. It's recommended to have a separate track on your mast for it - you don't want to fiddle around when you actually really need it to be raised ... now.

US naval acadamy sloop in marina with bright orange storm trysail and stormjob

Why Use Different Sails At All?

You could just get the largest furling genoa and use it on all positions. So why would you actually use different types of sails?

The main answer to that is efficiency . Some situations require other characteristics.

Having a deeply reefed genoa isn't as efficient as having a small J3. The reef creates too much draft in the sail, which increases heeling. A reefed down mainsail in strong winds also increases heeling. So having dedicated (storm) sails is probably a good thing, especially if you're planning more demanding passages or crossings.

But it's not just strong winds, but also light winds that can cause problems. Heavy sails will just flap around like laundry in very light air. So you need more lightweight fabrics to get you moving.

What Are Sails Made Of?

The most used materials for sails nowadays are:

Dacron - woven polyester
woven nylon
laminated fabrics - increasingly popular

Sails used to be made of linen. As you can imagine, this is terrible material on open seas. Sails were rotting due to UV and saltwater. In the 19th century linen was replaced by cotton.

It was only in the 20th century that sails were made from synthetic fibers, which were much stronger and durable. Up until the 1980s most sails were made from Dacron. Nowadays, laminates using yellow aramids, Black Technora, carbon fiber and Spectra yarns are more and more used.

Laminates are as strong as Dacron, but a lot lighter - which matters with sails weighing up to 100 kg (220 pounds).

By the way: we think that Viking sails were made from wool and leather, which is quite impressive if you ask me.

In this section of the article I give you a quick and dirty summary of different sail plans or rig types which will help you to identify boats quickly. But if you want to really understand it clearly, I really recommend you read part 2 of this series, which is all about different rig types.

You can't simply count the number of masts to identify rig type But you can identify any rig type if you know what to look for. We've created an entire system for recognizing rig types. Let us walk you through it. Read all about sail rig types

As I've said earlier, there are two major rig types: square rigged and fore-and-aft. We can divide the fore-and-aft rigs into three groups:

Bermuda rig (we have talked about this one the whole time) - has a three-sided mainsail
Gaff rig - has a four-sided mainsail, the head of the mainsail is guided by a gaff
Lateen rig - has a three-sided mainsail on a long yard

Diagram of lateen-rigged mast with head yard, gaff-rigged mast with head beam, and bermuda-rigged mast with triangular sail

There are roughly four types of boats:

one masted boats - sloop, cutter
two masted boats - ketch, schooner, brig
three masted - barque
fully rigged or ship rigged - tall ship

Everything with four masts is called a (tall) ship. I think it's outside the scope of this article, but I have written a comprehensive guide to rigging. I'll leave the three and four-masted rigs for now. If you want to know more, I encourage you to read part 2 of this series.

One-masted rigs

Boats with one mast can have either one sail, two sails, or three or more sails.

The 3 most common one-masted rigs are:

Cat - one mast, one sail
Sloop - one mast, two sails
Cutter - one mast, three or more sails

1. Gaff Cat

White cat boat with gaff rig on lake and three people in it

2. Gaff Sloop

Two-masted rigs

Two-masted boats can have an extra mast in front or behind the main mast. Behind (aft of) the main mast is called a mizzen mast . In front of the main mast is called a foremast .

The 5 most common two-masted rigs are:

Lugger - two masts (mizzen), with lugsail (cross between gaff rig and lateen rig) on both masts
Yawl - two masts (mizzen), fore-and-aft rigged on both masts. Main mast much taller than mizzen. Mizzen without mainsail.
Ketch - two masts (mizzen), fore-and-aft rigged on both masts. Main mast with only slightly smaller mizzen. Mizzen has mainsail.
Schooner - two masts (foremast), generally gaff rig on both masts. Main mast with only slightly smaller foremast. Sometimes build with three masts, up to seven in the age of sail.
Brig - two masts (foremast), partially square-rigged. Main mast carries small lateen rigged sail.

Lugger sails behind berth with rocks and small sloops in the foreground

4. Schooner

White schooner with white sails and light wooden masts

5. Brigantine

Replica of brigatine on lake with lots of rigging and brown, green, red, and gold paint

This article is part 1 of a series about sails and rig types If you want to read on and learn to identify any sail plans and rig type, we've found a series of questions that will help you do that quickly. Read all about recognizing rig types

Shawn Buckles

HI CVB, that’s a cool plan. Thanks, I really love to hear that. I’m happy that it was helpful to you and I hope you are of to a great start for your new adventure!

Hi GOWTHAM, thanks for the tip, I sometimes forget I haven’t specified the new term. I’ve added it to the article.

Nice article and video; however, you’re mixing up the spinnaker and the gennaker.

A started out with a question. What distinguishes a brig from a schooner? Which in turn led to follow-up questions: I know there are Bermuda rigs and Latin rig, are there more? Which in turn led to further questions, and further, and further… This site answers them all. Wonderful work. Thank you.

Great post and video! One thing was I was surprised how little you mentioned the Ketch here and not at all in the video or chart, and your sample image is a large ship with many sails. Some may think Ketch’s are uncommon, old fashioned or only for large boats. Actually Ketch’s are quite common for cruisers and live-aboards, especially since they often result in a center cockpit layout which makes for a very nice aft stateroom inside. These are almost exclusively the boats we are looking at, so I was surprised you glossed over them.

Love the article and am finding it quite informative.

While I know it may seem obvious to 99% of your readers, I wish you had defined the terms “upwind” and “downwind.” I’m in the 1% that isn’t sure which one means “with the wind” (or in the direction the wind is blowing) and which one means “against the wind” (or opposite to the way the wind is blowing.)

paul adriaan kleimeer

like in all fields of syntax and terminology the terms are colouual meaning local and then spead as the technology spread so an history lesson gives a floral bouque its colour and in the case of notical terms span culture and history adds an detail that bring reverence to the study simply more memorable.

Hi, I have a small yacht sail which was left in my lock-up over 30 years ago I basically know nothing about sails and wondered if you could spread any light as to the make and use of said sail. Someone said it was probably originally from a Wayfayer wooden yacht but wasn’t sure. Any info would be must appreciated and indeed if would be of any use to your followers? I can provide pics but don’t see how to include them at present

kind regards

You may also like, 17 sailboat types explained: how to recognize them.

Ever wondered what type of sailboat you're looking at? Identifying sailboats isn't hard, you just have to know what to look for. In this article, I'll help you.

Sailboat in front of NYC with Bermuda mainsail and Jib

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spinnaker ˈspinǝkǝr n.

a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind.... ...

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Guide to Sail Trimming & Shaping

Last Updated by

Capt Chris German

June 15, 2022

Sail trim and shape are pretty easy to master. By understanding and using a few key aspects of physics, you can make your boat sail not just faster, but better.

Sailing however is not all science but rather an artform. While physics can make you sail better, a good intuition will make your boat sail best.

I have seen sailors who far exceed my skill level, squeeze an extra two knots out of a boat in a dead calm breeze through the trim and shape of a sail alone. I have also seen sailors who could not sail their way out of a wind tunnel at full blast. Neither party could fully explain their success or failure.

As best I can do, I will explain the science of how a sail works and how it might be trimmed most effectively. Please do not, however, confuse me with those sailing wizards who through incantation and alchemy can compel the wind to do their bidding and win races.

Table of contents

How a sail works

Sails are nothing more than a wing. Just as a gull can twitch and flex the leading and trailing edges of a wing to maximize the effect of a passing zephyr, so can you as a sailor squeeze the most from a breeze and translate that into boat speed.

But at its core, a sail operates on two principles, lift and push.

The lift is what makes planes fly and eagles soar. The wind is diverted into two paths around a sail on the forward side and on the back side of the sail. The difference in speed and inversely pressures of those two streams is converted into force through a principle first described by Swiss Mathematician Daniel Bernoulli.

That force is communicated to the boat through the mast and that energy is transferred to the hull in a lateral direction that is redirected into forward motion through the lateral resistance of the keel on the boat which slips forward like a wet watermelon seed squeezed between your fingers.. Sounds complicated right? It is.

All you really need to know is that for a main sail to work, it needs to have a nice fluid promoting shape to it like a smooth airplane wing set on its edge and pointing to the heavens. That’s why sails need to be kind of stiff and if you pull it in too far, it slows you down and if you let it out too much, it also slows you down.

With a jib it also needs to have a nice wing shape to it, but in that case it needs to be pulled in concert with the mainsail because it enhances the flow of wind on the backside of the main. This is all under the lift principle which is mostly what is happening when you are upwind sailing.

When you are downwind sailing it's all push and no lift.

Downwind sailing and the Pirates

When I describe this subject to kids they could care less about the physics of it all and would most times rather go swimming than learn about the science of sailing.

So to catch their attention I differentiate upwind sailing or lift, by comparing downwind sailing to something they can get jazzed by, pirates. Down wind sailing or running is all push and no lift and that’s what powered the pirate boats.

Back in the days of Blackbeard and Kidd, boats were square rigged and their sails were rigged perpendicular to the boat so that they could catch the wind and the westerly trade winds could push their boat up the coast to the New World. They did not have a great ability to sail upwind because Bernoulli hadn’t quite explained to them at that point that a boat can be lifted upwind instead pushed down wind and Marconi, another guy who revolutionized sailing, hadn’t created the triangular sail yet.

When we are sailing downwind, the sails are catching wind and pushing the boat downwind. Accordingly when you are sailing upwind you are italian (due to Marconi’s invention of the triangular sail that lifts the boat) and when you are downwind sailing you are a Pirate.

The Shape of Wind

Now that we know the difference between upwind sailing and downwind sailing, we must talk about the shape of the sail. By understanding the shape of the sail, we can best adjust our sails to catch the shape of the wind. There is a shape to the wind.

On the upwind leg, the wind streams across our sails, while on the downwind leg, the wind fills our sails like a parachute. If you were to think about the shape of the wind on each leg, the upwind would be shaped like a stream of water coming from a garden hose while the downwind would be shaped like a bucket covering a much wider surface area.

And when you think about how to catch wind of each shape, you need a wider surface area to catch all the wind on the downwind leg like a parachute and a more narrow or slot shape to enhance the flow of the wind on the upwind leg, just like the nozzle of the hose.

Accordingly when we trim our sails to downwind, we go with the phrase, “if in doubt, let it out”. To catch all the wind you can on a wide surface area to push you downwind, you want as much sail out as you can get to catch the wind.

On the upwind leg, we don't have a sexy little phrase to remind you, because we just pull the sail all the way in. However, we pull the jib and the main in so that they will enhance each other and create a slot between the two to enhance the flow of the wind between them.

I hear you though, what about the points of sail in between???

On the reaches,(IE close, beam and broad), you are combining the principles of lift and push at varying degrees with more lift as you head upwind and more push as you head downwind. The trim of your sails will be in proportion to either force of lift or push, with a close reach mostly lift and a broad reach composed mostly of pushing force.

When you have the angle or trim of your sails working for you, then we worry about the finer details like shape.

Going back to that wing shape we talked about, once your sail is trimmed in the right place, we begin to look at the finer controls that might be available to us on the sail to make that perfect smooth wing like that of the seagull.

Birds have muscles in their wing that alter the angle of the feathers on the leading and trailing edges of their wing so they can fly up and down. Planes have flaps that can articulate to add lift to fly high and to slow the speed of the plane when landing. Sails have similar controls to change the angle and curve of the sail that can speed up or slow down the boat.

The curve of a sail is referred to as a camber of the sail. The more Camber a sail has, the deeper the pocket in the sail to catch more wind.

When we adjust the shape of the sail, we are deepening or making more shallow the camber of the sail. We can also change the location of the deepest pocket in the sail by moving forward or aft. Finally we can change the twist of the sail creating more of a pocket aloft or down lower depending on our needs.

To understand where these controls are on the sail, we must now talk about the sides and corners of the sail.

All Marconi rigged boats, or triangular sails, have three sides and three corners. The three sides of a sail are the leech, the luff and the foot, with the three corners referred to as the head (the top corner), the tack (the front corner) and clew (the back corner).

The leech runs from head to the clew or top corner to the back corner. The foot runs from the tack to the clew and the luff runs from the head to the tack. All the controls on the sail change the length of each of the sides to increase or decrease the depth and location of the camber or pocket of the sail.

The lines used to change the shape of the sail have all kinds of names like leech line and halyard tension and outhaul. Every sail is a little different so I don't want you to get bogged down for now on the names of the lines, but rather focus on the theory behind the shape of the sail.

Where to put the camber

The camber or pocket of your sail will be determined by the conditions of the day and the comfort of your crew. Choppy days, heavy wind days and days with no wind at all, mandate that the shape of your sail ought to change.

The higher your camber on your sail, means the higher the center of effort is on your boat where you will catch more wind aloft. Big waves or heavy wind with a high center of effort leads to a more tippy or unstable vessel. On choppy or heavy wind days you will want to flatten your sail with a lower and more shallow pocket that is closer to the deck.

On lightwind days with smoother seas, you can ease your sail out and go with fatter pockets that are higher aloft. The best sailors can use all the controls they have available to them to take advantage of the conditions to effect the greatest speed out of their vessel or the most comfortable ride for their crew depending on their priority.

One more thing on sail shape- while you can feel and see the greatest effect on shape up wind, there are just many ways you change the shape of your sail on the downwind leg. Think about where you want the center of effort on your boat and shape your sails to your conditions.

This is Not a Primer for Racing Boats

I decided a long time ago that racing was a great way to ruin a good day of sailing. While I am no longer a fan of racing, that doesn’t mean that I can’t appreciate your interests in the subject.

All of these tips on sail shape and trim are designed to help people who have questions about sail shape, but are intimidated by the “authorities” on sailing. Admittedly, there is a ton of info out there about how to make your boat go fast that I have not included here, that just goes over the heads of aspiring sailors. It is my hope that this has broken down the subject in a way that helps you better understand the theory of sail shape and trim.

If you are interested in using these tips to make your boat go faster to win races, then go for it. Try out a few different shapes on your boat and see what makes your boat go fastest. But for everyone else who isn’t interested in winning the Wednesday night beer can series, please know that this stuff applies to you as well.

Cruising in rough weather can be made so much more comfortable with a change of sail shape and the longevity of your sails will be improved if you trim your sails properly to the conditions. Cruising sailors would do well to try out the controls on their boat and see what happens when you ease the outhaul and tighten the leech line.

Either way, remember, do good, have fun and sail far. Thanks for reading.

Capt Chris German is a life long sailor and licensed captain who has taught thousands to sail over the last 20 years. In 2007, he founded a US Sailing-based community sailing school in Bridgeport, CT for inner city youth and families. When Hurricane Sandy forced him to abandon those efforts, he moved to North Carolina where he set out to share this love for broadcasting and sailing with a growing web-based television audience through The Charted Life Television Network.

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NORTH SAILS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GENNAKER AND A SPINNAKER

NORTH SAILS NEWS

The difference between a gennaker and a spinnaker, choosing the right sail for the job.

Because designs are changing so quickly, the term gennaker can seem complicated. First, let’s make sure we understand the two original sail types: the spinnaker and the genoa.

What is a Spinnaker?

Today, things are a bit more complicated.

Symmetric Spinnakers and Asymmetric Spinnakers

(Told you it was complicated.)

Over the past few decades, another spinnaker type has become increasingly popular – the asymmetric spinnaker or “A-sail.” An asymmetric spinnaker has three distinct corners :

the head (attached to the halyard and hoisted all the way up the mast);
the tack (attached by a short adjustable tackline to the bow/bowsprit);
the clew (attached to the two sheets that run down each side of the boat).

Hmm, that sounds a lot more like a jib or genoa…

Asymmetric spinnakers are popular on boats that have permanent bowsprits or retractable poles. They are also used by cruising sailors because they are easier to handle than symmetric spinnakers.

What is a Genoa?

Triangular, with not nearly as much girth as a spinnaker,
with only one corner (the clew) allowed to roam freely (with sheets attached to keep it under control).

What is a Gennaker?

A gennaker has the asymmetric form of a genoa with the girth (width) of a spinnaker.

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Sail trim fundamentals: a guide for beginner sailors

Sail trim fundamentals: a guide for beginner sailors

Trimming sails is an essential skill for yacht sailing, enabling you to harness the wind's power and optimize your yacht's performance. Whether you're a novice or an experienced sailor, it's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of sail trim. Check out our guide to the key principles and techniques of sail trimming, equipping you with the knowledge to enhance your sailing skills .

Glossary of basic terms

Before we dive into how sails propel a boat, the different types of sails, and how to trim them for different courses, let's take a look at the basic terminology. Even if you're new to sailing, knowing the names of the different parts of the boat is essential as it helps you communicate with the crew, react quickly when needed and, of course, it is the sign of a competent sailor

Jib and genoa — the most important sail on a yacht. They are usually triangular in shape, with a curved edge at the bottom (called the luff) and are located at the front of the boat, seen from the bow. The jib or genoa can be rolled up while sailing using a furler, which is a device that allows it to be neatly stored along the forestay. The forestay is a steel cable that runs from the bow of the boat to the top of the mast.

Mainsail — a triangular-shaped sail that is commonly attached to the mast and boom of a yacht. It slides into a groove on the mast or drops into a lazy jack system for easy handling. On seagoing boats, the mainsail is not the primary source of propulsion, but it plays a crucial role in balancing the boat's direction along with foresails (jib/genoa) and the rudder.

Elements of the mainsail:

Forestay (luff) — the edge of the sail that slides into the groove of the mast
Lower luff — the sail hem that slides into the jib groove
Back hem (luff) — the free, third edge of the sail triangle
Spigot — a piece of fibre glued at one end to the sail surface to indicate the correct sail setting
Cunningham — a mechanism that adjusts the tension of the forestay
Reef — a system of controls and adjustments that allows the sail area to be reduced in high winds
Vang/Kicker — a pulley system between the boom and the mast that controls sail tension and boom height

Gibson, Rob, Sail Trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 28, fig. 28

Spinnaker and gennaker — types of sails commonly referred to as "balloons" by sailors due to their distinctive shape. These sails are designed for sailing in crosswinds to tailwinds. The spinnaker or gennaker is hoisted at the top of the mast, and the lower corners of the sail are controlled by lines called sheets.

Roller furling system — a furling device that makes it easy and quick to furl a jib or genoa along the forestay.

YACHTING.COM TIP: Sail trimming techniques vary depending on the specific characteristics of each yacht. Discover what types of boats you'll find in charter companies and gain a detailed understanding of the types of sails you'll find on rental boats .

What drives a boat: a little theory

The sail on a boat is the key element that harnesses the wind's energy to propel the vessel. Made from durable materials like dacron or kevlar, sails are both delicate and strong. The basic principle is straightforward — when the wind blows against the sail, it creates a force that pushes the boat forward. The curved shape of the sail generates buoyancy, and the difference in airflow speed on each side of the sail creates a pressure imbalance, resulting in a forward-driving force. In essence, the sail acts as the engine of the boat, utilizing the power of the wind to move it through the water.

Gibson, Rob, Sail trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 8, fig. 4a, 4b

The sails are designed to be adjustable and adaptable to different wind directions and forces . Sail trimming involves making adjustments to sail tension, sail angle to the wind, and sail deflection, which play a crucial role in maximizing sail performance and optimizing the direction you sail.

Another important element in sail performance is the distribution of forces . The mainsail is securely attached to the boat using the mast, boom, ropes, and eyelets. Additional sails are connected to the hull through ropes or halyards, which are metal ropes connecting the hull to the mast. These elements effectively distribute the force generated by the wind to various points on the boat, including the mast, deck, and hull. This distribution minimizes excessive strain on different parts of the boat, ensuring stable and safe movement.

The sail also responds to changes in wind strength and the boat's heel. If the wind strength alters, the sail can be adjusted by tightening or loosening it accordingly. Similarly, if the boat's pitch changes, the sail can be balanced or adjusted to maintain stability and equilibrium .

Sails are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, each designed for different types of sailing and varying conditions. Mainsails, gennakers, spinnakers, jibs, and other types of sails offer specific characteristics and are suitable for specific uses. In essence, a sail on a boat functions like a wing, utilizing the power of the wind to propel the vessel forward. Proper sail trim is essential for ensuring efficient and safe boating, taking into account not only the wind's strength but also the course being sailed.

Gibson, Rob, Sail trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 11, fig. 7

Apparent vs. true wind

Understanding the distinction between apparent and true wind is very important for sail trim. This is a fundamental concept in the world of sailing and relates to how we perceive the wind's force in relation to the vessel's movement. Apparent wind varies based on the vessel's motion, whereas true wind represents the actual wind force independent of the vessel's movement.

True wind refers to the wind force we experience when stationary on land, unaffected by the vessel's motion. For instance, if you're standing on the shore and feel a southward wind blowing at 10 knots, that is the true wind.

On the other hand, apparent wind is the wind force perceived on a moving vessel. The motion of the yacht relative to the real wind creates the apparent wind, which combines the actual wind with the boat's movement. Consequently, the apparent wind's direction and speed differ from the true wind.

When a sailboat sails into the wind, the apparent wind comes from the opposite direction of the real wind. It is a combination of the actual wind and the sailboat's motion. Conversely, when sailing downwind, the apparent wind aligns with the real wind's direction, although its speed may vary depending on the sailboat's velocity.

Apparent wind is an important factor in sail trim and navigation. Sailors must take apparent wind into account when adjusting sails and determining the optimal direction and angle for sailing. Understanding the distinction between apparent and real wind is essential for precise sail trim and effective navigation at sea. For more detailed insights, we recommend reading our article on apparent wind vs. true wind .

drawing of the effect of apparent and actual wind on sailboat behaviour, Gibson, Rob, Sail trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 15, figs 12a, 12b, 12c

Gibson, Rob, Sail Trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 15, fig. 12a, 12b, 12c

YACHTING.COM TIP: If you're planning a voyage and wondering what sails to choose, the destination you're going to can help you decide. Check out the winds in the Atlantic and the winds in the Mediterranean so you can select the most suitable sails.

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How to trim sails.

The process of trimming sails can vary depending on the boat, but there are general rules that apply to most sail setups. Here are a few basic steps to get started:

Proper sail tension

The first step is to ensure that the sails are properly tensioned. Finding the right balance between too much slack and too much tension is crucial for achieving the optimal sail shape. Many modern sails have adjustable ropes that allow you to regulate the tension. Regularly check and adjust the tension as you sail, as it can change with wind strength and direction.

Angle of the sails to the wind

Another important aspect of sail trimming is setting the correct angle of the sails in relation to the wind. The ideal angle depends on the wind direction and the point of sailing. Generally, for upwind sailing, the angle should be smaller (around 45 degrees), while for downwind sailing, a larger angle (around 90 degrees) is preferred. Experiment with different angles when sailing in varying wind directions and adjust as necessary.

Sail deflection

Sails should have some deflection to help them maintain shape and generate lift. The appropriate amount of deflection depends on the type of sail and the sailing conditions. Aim for sufficient deflection to achieve optimal buoyancy, but avoid excessive deflection that may disrupt airflow and lead to inefficient sailing. Many modern sails feature adjustable features for controlling deflection.

Sail symmetry

It is important to ensure that the sails are properly balanced and symmetrical. Incorrectly adjusted sails can result in unwanted changes in sailing direction. Regularly check that the sails are set symmetrically and that the gap between them allows for optimum airflow.

Constant observation and adjustments

Sail trimming is a dynamic process that requires constant observation of wind changes and yacht performance. Stay attentive and be ready to adjust the sail trim as needed. Even small adjustments can significantly impact the yacht's performance. Regular practice and sailing in different conditions will help you develop your sail trimming skills and gain experience.

It is important to remember that sail trimming is a skill that you improve with practice and experience. Don't be afraid to experiment and try different sail settings. Regular practice and sailing in different conditions will help you develop your sail trimming skills on your yacht.

Sail trimming is an art that has a big impact on your performance on the water. With a solid foundation and practice, you can become a skilled sailor who can harness the power of the wind and fully enjoy the beauty of sailing a yacht.

YACHTING.COM TIP: If you are curious about sail trimming and would like to try it yourself, sign up for one of our sailing courses . At yachting.com, we offer courses in-person and online.

Need help choosing a boat. Contact us.

Denisa Nguyenová

Faq - sail trim for beginners.

Parts of a Sail - Sailing Basics Theory

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Parts of a Sail

The names of different parts of a main sail

Yachting Monthly

Digital edition

The best sail plans for crossing an ocean

Theo Stocker
March 10, 2015

Sailing across an ocean, there are myriad sail plans and systems to choose from to power you across an ocean. We spoke to six ARC 2014 finishers to find out what works best

'Chance' round Pigeon Island Credit: Tim Wright

A warm wind at your back, the azure main rolling beneath your keel and unfettered miles left reeling in your wake. That’s the dream at least, but crossing an ocean isn’t always plain sailing, as the crews of the 2014 edition of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) discovered.

Those who took the rhumb line westwards from Gran Canaria to St Lucia in the Caribbean sailed hard and fast, and got wet as a result. Others sailed south for kinder but slower conditions. While some boats were sailing for glory, and others for comfort, or even just to arrive in one piece, they all proved that every Atlantic crossing is different and that preparation is the key to a successful passage.

After choosing a yacht and picking a crew, an Atlantic skipper must decide what sail plans to use and how to steer the boat. The range of options is huge. Sail-plans range from a simple main and genoa to more exotic coloured sails, and steering options span helming by hand, to windvane self-steering and electric autopilot systems.

Sails and steering interact and the two have to get along, so it’s never going to be a simple choice. The final decision may be based on many factors, but it’s only when land has slipped astern that these choices are really tested.

With the Atlantic behind them and the Caribbean sun overhead, we went to find out how the ARC crews got on.

10 tips from our Atlantic crews

Learning to use ‘coloured sails’ offshore with confidence really pays off when running in light or moderate winds.

Sail together beforehand. A long ocean passage can be really intense.
Take lots of water, you’ll need it. If in doubt, take more.
Take foul weather gear as it can be cold and wet. It is, after all, the North Atlantic in December.
Know the noises your boat makes. A different sound is the first warning when something isn’t right.
Food is important for morale. Seasoning and herbs go a long way. Little treats make a big difference.
Clean out the fuel tank and take plenty of spare parts and filters as one isn’t enough, and know how to change them.
A twin-grooved headsail foil gives more sail plan options than a single one.
Satellite communications are a boon, but expect teething problems.

What is the best sail plan for ocean sailing?

The ‘best’ sail plans depends on your boat and crew, but our crews agreed on a few points:

Twin headsails are simple, give a good amount of sail area and are easily furled. They lack power in lighter conditions and can make the boat roll. Two poles with guys and good sheeting angles are important.
Coloured sails boost speed in certain conditions, but they require practice to build confidence. Mid-ocean, with large swells running, is not the time to try it for the first time. A symmetric spinnaker is best, but a cruising chute, wing-and-wing with the poled out genoa, is a good compromise. A Parasailor is significantly more stable than a conventional kite, but isn’t a panacea for all downwind sailing.

What is a Parasailor and how does it work?

Its makers claim it does three things:

The gap allows air to flow over and through the sail, creating a steady airflow and making the sail more stable.
The wing holds the width of the sail out and dampens the speed and force with which the sail can collapse.
The wing creates lift, reducing the force pushing the bow down into the water, making the boat more directionally stable and less prone to roll.

Using a snuffer, it can be set from the bow, a pole, or flown loose like a kite. It’s not cheap, it’s still a spinnaker and needs some practice, but the manufacturer claims it puts the enjoyment back into downwind sailing.

The ARC 2014: facts and figures

ARC 2014 Routes

Start Las Palmas, Gran Canaria
Finish Rodney Bay, St Lucia
Rhumb-line distance 2700 miles
Fastest crossing Leopard by Finland (100ft Maxi), new record of 8 days, 14 hours, 39 minutes and 51 seconds.
Average cruiser crossing 18 days, 11 hours
Slowest crossing Efwa (Allegro 33), 25,days 13 hours, 34 minutes
Shortest distance sailed Atalanta (Oyster 575) 2,690 miles
Longest distance sailed Sanuk (Bavaria 47) 3,298 miles
Average number of crew per boat in cruising division 5 adults
Damage 22 boats suffered damage to sails, rigging or autopilots, mostly due to the forces of wind and waves on fully-laden boats
Drop-outs 6 boats dropped out for medical or gear failure reasons

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UPWIND SAILING TACTICS: THE 3 GOLDEN RULES

Tactics can seem really, really complicated. Sometimes on a busy race course, in all the noise of battle, it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. Then again, tactics is really, really simple. It’s binary. At any moment during the race you only have two choices:

1. keep going

2. change direction (tack or gybe).

Want to learn about the basics of Sailing into the wind ? Read that article first!

In another blog we talked about Strategy . That’s about doing your pre-race homework, analysing the conditions and working out which is the fastest way up the course. But strategy is nothing without tactics, because how often do you get to execute your perfect strategy without other boats getting in the way?

Tactics is about how you execute your strategy on a busy race course, how you outsmart and outmanoeuvre the opposition. When you’re ahead, it’s about the defensive moves you need to make to keep your spot. When you’re behind, it’s working out how to overtake the boats in front of you. Let’s take a look at the fundamentals of good tactics. And we’re going to focus on Upwind Tactics in this blog post.

THE 3 GOLDEN RULES OF UPWIND TACTICS

Here are three questions to ask yourself at any point when you’re trying to work out if you’re on the right track (and the right tack!). 1. Am I on the long tack to the mark? 2. Am I on the lifted tack? 3. Am I sailing in the same direction as the majority of the fleet?

Let’s look at those in more detail. We’ll consider these factors in relation to upwind tactics. The same principles more or less apply on the downwind legs too, but because we spend more of the time racing upwind, let’s make that the priority for now.

1. THE LONG TACK TO THE MARK

If the race course is skewed, and there’s more sailing to be done on one tack than the other, then start sailing on the long tack first. This will take you back towards the centreline of the course as defined by the wind direction. The closer to the centreline, the more tactical options you have available. Do the opposite, and sail the short tack first, and you have boxed yourself into a corner. You’ve used up your tactical options early and now you’re at the mercy of any changes in the wind, and most likely the bad air from other boats.

2. THE LIFTED TACK

You should have a sense of how the wind is shifting and you should be able to feel the boat lifting and heading through the wind shifts. Even better if you’re tracking the numbers on a compass. Sailing the lifted tack means you’re sailing a shorter distance towards the next mark.

3. GOING WITH THE FLEET

If most of the fleet is going in a certain direction, you should be going with them. Or at least, you need a good reason to be doing the opposite.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD BREAK THE 3 GOLDEN RULES

If you’re leading the fleet or in the front pack and aiming to protect your position, there’s little reason to break the three Golden Rules. However, let’s consider some reasons why you might want to break them… 1. Better wind on one side: There’s a clear bias towards one side of the course. This could be a land factor which means there’s a wind bend and/or a stronger breeze on one side of the course. In which case you’ll want to get further into that side sooner than your opposition. 2. Tidal Difference: Similar to a wind factor, there might be a tidal or current difference across the course. If the current is stronger and pushing you upwind, you’ll want to get over to that side of the course as your tactical and strategic priority. The same, or even more so, if the current is against you. Escaping the worst of the current is now your biggest priority. 3. Sailing on a header: If you’re looking to take advantage of a better wind or current situation, then be prepared to sail on a header to get over to one side. If there is a permanent wind bend, sail on a header so that when you tack on to the lifting tack, you’re sailing on the ‘inside lane’ of the race track. 4. Sailing away from the fleet: If you feel the fleet is missing a big factor, like one of the ones listed above, then stick to your guns and sail in the opposite direction. 5. Getting out of dirty air: If you’re in dirty air and need to tack away from the bulk of the fleet in front of you, that’s a good reason to break the Golden Rules. But only sail as far as you need to before you’re back in clear air. Now ask yourself those three Golden Rules again. It’s too easy to stay on the same tack and gamble your position on going for the opposite corner from the fleet, just because it’s different. If you’re going to be different, be different for a good reason. 6. The final lap gamble: If you’re struggling near the back of the fleet and running out of time for playing a game of patience, now is the time to consider a gamble. If you’re so far back that you’ve got nothing to lose, then break the Golden Rules. Bang the opposite corner of the race course and see if you win a lucky lottery ticket!

BE PATIENT, AND NEVER GIVE UP

That last point, the ‘final lap gamble’, comes with a health warning. There’s a temptation, as you’re getting towards the end of the race, to start taking more risks. Coming back from a bad start is usually the accumulation of lots of small gains around the race course. If there’s one quality that marks out the people who win championship after championship, it’s the ability to come back from a bad start and convert it into a good result by the finish. As you go around the race course, wherever you are in the fleet, keep on checking in on the three Golden Rules of Tactics.

Look out for a lot more ‘go faster’ content coming your way from Sailmon. We’re keen to share more content on various topics that all add up to helping you sail better. Follow us on Facebook , Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter . Whatever you do, don’t miss out on this valuable content! We’re here to make you even better than you are today!

---- Check out this webinar! ‘It’s all about upwind performance’ emphasizes the importance of boat speed, VMG, strategy and tactics during that crucial first leg. Olympic Gold Medallist and skipper and helmsman for the Japan SailGP Team Nathan Outteridge will share all his knowledge from his professional sailing career. Learn from the best, improve your sailing skills in the moments right after the gunshot and get ahead of the competition. Check out the preview below or subscribe here for the full recordings

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Killer Whales Sunk a 50-Foot Sailing Yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar

Two sailors had a whale of a time over the weekend—but only in the technical sense.

The duo was rescued on Sunday after a group of orcas sunk their sailing yacht near the Strait of Gibraltar, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. The seafarers were out on the 50-foot Alboran Cognac when the whales started slamming the hull, eventually causing a leak and damaging the rudder. An oil tanker was able to evacuate the sailors to Gibraltar before the boat eventually sank.

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These 3 lesser-known cruise lines offer amazing voyages on sail-powered ships

There is nothing quite as magical — or romantic — as a cruise on a sailing ship.

To stand on the deck of a vessel topped with dozens of billowing sails, propelled through the waves by the power of the wind alone, is to go back in time to an earlier age of travel, when crossing the world's oceans was as adventurous as it was challenging.

It's an experience that's all about the feeling of the wind in your hair, the lean of the vessel (known as the heel) as it's pushed by the wind and the sway from the waves (which is actually smoother than what you get on a motor ship).

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In contrast to what you'll find on so many motor-powered ships, cruising on a masted ship is about the simple thrill of traveling across the sea and not about all the many attractions you'll find on board.

Only a handful of small cruise brands — so small that you might never have heard of them — offer trips on sailing ships. Here, we look at the three biggest players in this niche subset of the cruise industry.

Sea Cloud Cruises

If it's an authentic, old-style sailing experience you want, then Sea Cloud Cruises is the line for you. The Germany-based company operates three large sailing ships where the sails are unfurled by hand, just as they were on sailing ships centuries ago.

On the biggest of these three vessels, the 136-passenger Sea Cloud Spirit , 18 deckhands scurry high into the rigging on sea days to manually untie and prepare the sails, an amazing sight. Unveiled in 2021 , it's a full-rigged, three-masted sailing ship of the sort that hasn't been common on the world's oceans for more than a century.

Related: Why Sea Cloud Spirit is a sailing vessel you'll want to try

Sea Cloud Cruises' two other vessels — Sea Cloud 2 and Sea Cloud — are smaller but offer a similar show as the sails are set by hand the old-fashioned way. The former is a 23-year-old, three-masted barque propelled by 23 sails (five fewer than Sea Cloud Spirit); the latter is a 93-year-old, four-masted barque with 30 sails and a storied past.

Now configured to carry 64 paying passengers, Sea Cloud was originally the private yacht of Postum Cereals heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post and her husband, the famed financier E. F. Hutton. At the time, the vessel was the largest private yacht in the world. It later served the U.S. Navy as a weather ship during World War II, after which it became the presidential yacht for the Dominican Republic. It only began sailing as a cruise vessel in the 1980s.

If you have money to spare, you can still book Post's opulent private quarters on Sea Cloud, now its owner's suite. It'll set you back around $5,000 per day per couple. Her husband's slightly smaller quarters are also available to book at a similar rate.

Post, the wealthiest woman in the U.S. during her lifetime, notably also built Mar-a-Lago, the massive estate in Florida that is now the official residence of Donald Trump.

Sea Cloud Cruises is the most all-inclusive and upscale of the three brands listed in this story, with pricing to match. Expect to pay nearly $1,000 per person per day or more for many sailings.

Sea Cloud Cruises' three vessels offer a diverse array of sailings in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Canary Islands and Morocco, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Cruising Costa Rica, Panama with Sea Cloud Cruises

Windstar Cruises

Founded in the 1980s, Windstar Cruises got its start as a sailing ship line. While it now operates traditional motor-powered ships, too, voyages on sailing ships are still a big part of its business.

Three of the Seattle-based brand's six vessels — Wind Spirit, Wind Star and Wind Surf — are sailing vessels, and they all offer a similar yacht-like, small-ship experience.

Two of the three vessels (Wind Spirit and Wind Star) are particularly intimate, measuring 5,407 tons and carrying just 148 passengers with every berth full.

Related: The 2 types of Windstar ships, explained

The line's third sailing vessel, Wind Surf, is nearly three times the size at 14,745 tons. It's one of the biggest sailing ships in the world (only a sister vessel that sails for Club Med is bigger). Wind Surf carries 342 people, an enormous number for a sailing ship.

Unlike on the vessels operated by Sea Cloud, the sails on Windstar's sailing ships aren't unfurled by hand in the old-fashioned way but by the push of a button from the bridge. It's a fully automated system that is much more modern, if less dramatic.

Still, the experience of slicing through the waves by the power of the wind alone on Windstar ships is as glorious and romantic as it is on the Sea Cloud ships.

Windstar Cruises is less all-inclusive and pricey than Sea Cloud but still offers a relatively upscale experience. Its dining program is done in partnership with the food-focused James Beard Foundation, which also brings James Beard Award-winning chefs to the ships regularly for food-themed itineraries.

For an extra $89 per person per day, passengers can also make the experience more all-inclusive with included Wi-Fi, unlimited beer, wine and cocktails, and gratuities (three things that aren't included in regular fares).

The line's three vessels typically spend nearly all of their time sailing in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean or along the west coast of Central America.

Related: Read more about Windstar's itineraries

Star Clippers

Like Sea Cloud and Windstar, Star Clippers operates three sailing vessels that are among the biggest and most elegant sailing vessels in the world.

The belle of the ball at the line is Royal Clipper, a stunning five-masted ship that is billed as the largest square-rigged ship in the world. Its enormous array of 42 sails has a sail area of 56,000 square feet — significantly more than the sails atop any of the Sea Cloud or Windstar vessels. (Only Sea Cloud Spirit comes relatively close with a sail area of 44,100 square feet spread across 28 sails.)

Built to resemble Preussen, a legendary tall ship of the 19th century, the 24-year-old Royal Clipper shares the spotlight at Star Clippers with two smaller sister vessels, Star Flyer and Star Clipper.

Carrying 166 passengers apiece, the smaller vessels were designed to resemble the speedy clipper ships of the 19th century, which were known for their narrow profile and large sail area. Each vessel has a sail area of 36,000 square feet spread across 16 sails, a large amount for the size.

When it comes to the setting of sails, Star Clippers vessels offer a level of old-style authenticity that is in between the ships of Sea Cloud and Windstar. Like on Sea Cloud vessels, the sails are pulled into position by a team of deckhands using hand power and winches to tighten the "sheets," or ropes.

Unlike on Sea Cloud vessels, the deck hands don't climb high into the rigging to untie and prepare the sails for winching. That part is done automatically at the push of a button from the bridge, as it is on Windstar vessels.

In one key difference, though, Star Clippers lets passengers harness up and climb into the crow's nest of its vessels — a thrilling experience. Just be prepared for your knees to go a bit wobbly as you get to the top; it's way up there.

Star Clippers sailings are the most affordable option among the three sailing brands, in part because the onboard experience is less all-inclusive and upscale.

The three Star Clippers vessels mostly operate sailings in the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and along the west coast of Central America.

Bottom line

It's still possible to get a taste of what traveling the world's oceans was like in the days before motor power. Three small cruise companies — Sea Cloud Cruises, Windstar Cruises and Star Clippers — offer voyages on large sailing ships that are as majestic as anything that has sailed the seas in centuries past.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
Top ways cruisers waste money
The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Races and Regattas Guide 2024: Summer of Sailing Festivals

Get set for summer with our races and regattas guide!

With a wealth of weekend to week-long dinghy and yacht racing festivals in 2024 – hosted by some of our finest inland, river and coastal venues – whatever your boat, holiday allowance or budget, there is a regatta for you!

Whether you’re looking for races and regattas in Ireland, wanting to fill up your diary with all the East Coast events, or keen for an insider tip for Cowes Week, our 2024 races and regattas guide has it all.

NORTH – Races and Regattas

Bassenthwaite week.

3-11 August, Bassenthwaite SC, Bassenthwaite Lake, Cumbria

OVERVIEW: Nine days of racing in the beautiful Lake District, with a great family environment. Camping available on site and a full social programme for all ages. Mix of fleet and handicap racing, with some races run as a series whilst others are one-offs. Excellent value summer race week and one of the most popular open events in the north of England.

INSIDER TIP: Discounted ‘early bird’ entries open from 2 April.

SPONSOR: Craftinsure

WEBSITE: bassweek.org.uk

FILEY REGATTA

13-14 July, Filey SC, Filey Bay, North Yorkshire

OVERVIEW: Great family-friendly open regatta over two days with three or four races per day. Sail in four handicap fleets in beautiful Filey Bay. Food and drink available from the beach side clubhouse all weekend. Email [email protected] for more details.

INSIDER TIP: Camping and parking available in Filey Country Park just a five-minute walk away.

WEBSITE: fileysc.org.uk

LORD BIRKETT MEMORIAL TROPHY

6-7 July, Ullswater Yacht Club, Pooley Bridge, Cumbria OVERVIEW: Ullswater Yacht Club’s biggest event of the year is the iconic long-distance Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy. This quest for the ‘Holy Grail’ of a Birkett win attracts keen sailors from national champions to novices in a huge range of different boats. A festival of sailing!

INSIDER TIP: Entries are now open on the dedicated Birkett website.

SPONSOR: Magic Marine

WEBSITE: ullswaterycbirkett.org

EAST – Races and Regattas

Aldeburgh regatta.

11-15 August, Aldeburgh Junior & Youth Regatta

18-23 August, Aldeburgh Regatta, Aldeburgh YC, Suffolk

OVERVIEW: Aldeburgh Junior & Youth regatta is for all ages up to 21 years old. All boats welcome, with a coached regatta fleet for RS Tera sailors. Aldeburgh Regatta the following week is open to all classes of keelboats, dinghies & cruisers. Racing each day with social events throughout the week. WEBSITE: aldeburghyc.org.uk

BLACKWATER CLUB WEEK

18-23 August 2024, Blackwater SC, Heybridge, Essex

OVERVIEW: A flagship event in the calendar at Blackwater SC, Club Week offers a fun week of sailing, racing and socialising on the river with fleets ranging from Optimists to Fast Cruisers, and a packed social programme. The club also has its 125th Anniversary Regatta on Saturday 20 July.

WEBSITE: blackwatersailingclub.org.uk

BRANCASTER STAITHE SAILING WEEK

6-10 August, Brancaster Staithe SC, Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk

OVERVIEW: Brancaster Staithe Sailing Week is a multi-class open regatta with daily races at sea for Senior fleets and in the harbour for Junior fleets. Briefing is on Monday 5 August and there are social events during the week. Registration is online via the website.

INSIDER TIP: Competitive and friendly racing for all the family.

WEBSITE: bssc.net

BURNHAM WEEK

24-31 August, Royal Burnham YC, Burnham on Crouch, Essex,

OVERVIEW: A friendly competitive regatta with a colourful mix of cruisers, day boats and dinghies. There is a class for everyone whether IRC, local handicap, new to racing or experienced. One design classes are a welcoming and friendly group. A variety of courses keeps interest piqued and the race committee listens to competitors ensuring that needs are met throughout. Family friendly with a full social calendar. A great way to round off your summer! INSIDER TIP: Book your mooring early and ensure you enter when the early bird discount is valid. Follow on social media @burnham_week on Instagram or Facebook to keep up to date with news. WEBSITE: burnhamweek.com

6-12 July, East Anglian Offshore Racing Association

OVERVIEW: This year EAORA celebrates its 75th anniversary – and a memorable EAORA Week is planned to mark the occasion. It will start with the RORC East Coast Race from Harwich to Ostend (Belgium) on Saturday 6 July, followed by the Medway YC Cannonball Trophy race from Ostend to Breskens (Netherlands) the following day.

A series of shorter races from harbour to harbour within the Zeeland Delta will finish with a prizegiving party at Hellevoetsluis on Friday 12 July, leaving a clear weekend for the passage home. Traditionally some boats used the week as the delivery trip for a holiday in the Dutch inland waters.

Stopovers are yet to be finalised, but are expected to include Veere, Zierikzee, Sint Annaland, Willemstad and Hellevoetsluis – delightful historic towns with excellent facilities and plentiful restaurants. The silverware at the end of the week is very special too!

SPONSORS: DXB Pump & Power and Fox’s Chandlery

WEBSITE: eaora.org.uk

HORNING OPEN REGATTA WEEK

29 July-2 August, Horning SC, Norfolk Broads OVERVIEW: The annual Open Regatta at Horning SC sees the River Bure at Horning become a hive of activity with racing from 9am-6pm every day outside the clubhouse. Races for Dinghies, Keelboats and River Cruisers – and great for spectators too! INSIDER TIP: There are great socials taking place every night, the club invites you to come and get involved! WEBSITE: horning-sailing.club

MERSEA WEEK

18-23 August, West Mersea YC & Dabchicks SC, Mersea Island, Essex

OVERVIEW: This event attracts scores of competitors and it is anticipated that this year, the 50th anniversary of this popular event, there will be even more. With a full and varied racing programme and a busy social scene, Mersea Week is all about racing on the beautiful Blackwater and enjoying fabulous social events ashore.

INSIDER TIP: Free moorings for visiting yachtsmen and women.

SPONSORS: Marinestore Chandlery, Adnams, Fenn Wright, Oakheart Property, Dolphin Sails, Allen Brothers, Mersea Homes, West Mersea Marine, West PM.

WEBSITE: merseaweek.org

NORTH WEST NORFOLK WEEK

20-27 July, North West Norfolk Sailing Association, at various locations along the north and west coast of Norfolk

OVERVIEW: Competitive but fun family regatta week with close racing at a different club every day including Snettisham Beach, Wells, Ouse Amateur, Blakeney and Overy Staithe. This year’s 74th anniversary regatta is for National 12, Supernova, Streaker, ILCA & Allcomers, with daily trophies, weekly trophies, lady and junior helm prizes. Camping available for great value, so if you usually only sail at your own club, why not take a chance, hitch up your boat and join one of the friendliest events in the sailing calendar! Great combination of daily racing and family beach holiday.

INSIDER TIP: It is extremely addictive! Most people having been once will return year after year.

WEBSITE: norfolkweek.co.uk

OULTON WEEK

18-23 August, Waveney and Oulton Broad YC, Suffolk

OVERVIEW: A premier week’s racing on The Broads! Six days of racing for dinghies, keelboats and river cruisers: fast and slow dinghy handicap fleets; ILCAs; Optimists; Norfolk Dinghies; Hansa 303; Mixed One Designs (Waveneys, Broads and Yare & Bures, Squibs); River Cruisers; Mixed Keelboat. Busy social programme includes Commodore’s Reception. Entry fees for helms aged 18 or under, £1 per race; everyone else £2 per race. INSIDER TIP: Find accommodation afloat if possible and bring your children – they’ll love it! WEBSITE: wobyc.com

OVERY STAITHE REGATTA

23-24 August, Overy Staithe SC, Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk

OVERVIEW: Sailing races with general handicap and some class racing for local boats: OKs, Sharpies, Europes, Mirror 10s and clinker-built boats. WEBSITE: overystaithesc.org.uk

PYEFLEET WEEK

3-9 August, Brightlingsea SC, Brightlingsea, Essex

OVERVIEW: Kick off your summer holiday with a week of sailing on the East Coast. Pyefleet Week offers great racing for a wide range of classes from Optimists to Moths, plus a full social programme for all ages. With fantastic local shops, a historic lido, its own beach, a campsite on the doorstep and the beautiful Brightlingsea Harbour and River Colne as a backdrop, it’s a great place to holiday for all the family.

INSIDER TIP: Book accommodation early, pack your fancy dress, bucket and spade and prepare yourself for a good old fashioned regatta week! WEBSITE: pyefleetweek.com

RAMSGATE WEEK

11-16 August, Royal Temple YC, Ramsgate, Kent

OVERVIEW: Ramsgate Week is widely recognised as the ‘friendly regatta’ and the alternative to Cowes. After a challenging day’s sailing between the North and South Forelands you’re a five-minute walk from your berth to the Royal Temple Yacht Club where you can relax whilst enjoying the renowned hospitality.

INSIDER TIP: The shifting sands can catch navigators out, pay attention to your depth gauge. SPONSORS: Icom, Shepherd Neame, Kent Decking Supplies, Ramsgate Town Council, Page & Sons Ltd, Miles and Barr, North Sails, Riga Marine, Turner Jackson + Day Associates, Ramsgate Sailing School, Practical Car & Van Rental, Trews Workwear. WEBSITE: ramsgateweek.com

ROYAL BURNHAM YC WHITSUN REGATTA

25-27 May, The Royal Burnham YC, Burnham on Crouch, Essex

OVERVIEW: A fun filled weekend with a broad selection of racing offered for handicap cruisers, keelboat classes, dinghies and multihulls, with both committee boat and club line starts. The racing is complemented by a full array of social events in the clubhouse both during the day and in the evenings.

WEBSITE: rbyc.uk

ROYAL HARWICH YACHT CLUB

10-11 August, Summer Regatta; 19-23 August 2024, Junior Race Week; Royal Harwich YC, Woolverstone, Suffolk

OVERVIEW: RHYC’s stunning clubhouse on the banks of the beautiful River Orwell estuary provides a fabulous location for both dinghy sailing and yacht cruising – or for relaxing on the lawn for a meal or drink with a view! Join the club for its Summer Regatta (Ajax, Dinghies, ILCAs) or for young sailors, the club’s popular annual Junior Race Week.

WEBSITE: royalharwichyachtclub.co.uk

THREE RIVERS RACE

1-2 June, Horning SC, Norfolk Broads

OVERVIEW: A true spectacle, the Three Rivers Race sees upwards of 100 boats leave Horning Sailing Club to participate in the tough 50-mile endurance race, which will see competitors sail through the night, across the Broads, and lowering their masts under three bridges. INSIDER TIP: Great spectator points include the Medieval Potter Heigham Bridge and Acle Bridge, where exciting mast lowering/raising can be seen.

SPONSOR: Yachtmaster Insurance

WEBSITE: 3rr.uk and horning-sailing.club

WHITSTABLE WEEK

31 July-4 August, Whitstable YC, Whitstable, Kent

OVERVIEW: Whitstable Week is a summer all-classes regatta for all ages and abilities. Whitstable is a great place to sail offering relatively sheltered sea sailing with easy beach launching and committee boat starts off the club. WYC is situated both on the beach and in the centre of town which has a huge choice of shops, pubs and restaurants. The ‘week’ now runs from Wednesday to Sunday which means fewer days holiday to take part in a full five days of racing, two races per day. There are social events every evening culminating with Commodore’s Cocktails and a Summer Ball.

INSIDER TIP: Whitstable Week gives visiting sailors the opportunity to take advantage of a fabulous holiday town, great sailing and amazing socials – it’s not to be missed!

SPONSOR: Holidaycottages.co.uk

WEBSITE: wyc.org.uk/on-the-water/Whitstable_Week

WROXHAM WEEK

21-28 July, Norfolk Broads YC, Wroxham, Norfolk

OVERVIEW: Fabulous week full of competitive racing and lively socials. Suitable for all ages and abilities with something for everyone during this exciting week. There is a full racing programme throughout to enjoy, as well as social events including fun quizzes, children’s entertainment, rowing races, duck races and an End of Regatta Party. Members and visitor’s welcome! INSIDER TIP: Prebook your races and social events online before the week begins. Call the office on 01603 782808 for more information or help with booking. WEBSITE: nbyc.co.uk

SOUTH – Races and Regattas

Bourne end week.

24-27 May, Upper Thames SC, Bourne End, Bucks

OVERVIEW: UTSC offers river racing at its best, on the widest stretch of the non-tidal Thames. Featuring the Thames A Rater National Championships, Merlin Rocket River Championships, International OK River Championships, class racing for Wayfarers, plus Fast Handicap. Camping is just behind the clubhouse, quality catering every evening, with the Saturday supper included in the sailing entry.

INSIDER TIP: Don’t miss the famous sunset cocktail party, this year on Sunday, followed by a tasty buffet dinner and music from a lively band that’ll fill the dance floor!

WEBSITE: utsc.org.uk

BRITISH CLASSIC WEEK

15-19 July, British Classic Yacht Club, Cowes Yacht Haven /Royal Yacht Squadron, Isle of Wight

OVERVIEW: A new five-day format for 2024 will allow more time for owners and crew to set up and pack down before and after the regatta. Racing will again be overseen by the Royal Yacht Squadron , with new additions to deliver competitive fun racing for all the fleet, including an Around the Island Race (with optional inshore race for smaller yachts), a Forts Race, and a pursuit race. Camaraderie and dockside fun ashore, including a Pontoon Party. For owners keen for extra racing, British Classic Week has also teamed up with the Taittinger Regatta at the Royal Solent YC (12-14 July) to put on a feeder race between the two regattas.

SPONSORS: Lead sponsors Spirit Yachts, Classic Marine, One Sails, David Murrin Global Forecaster, Suffolk Yacht Harbour.

WEBSITE: britishclassicweek.co.uk

CHICHESTER HARBOUR RACE WEEK

19-23 August, organised by Chichester Harbour Federation at Hayling Island SC, Hampshire

Looking for more Classic races and regattas? Check out our partner Classic Boat Magazine’s Classic Races and Regattas Guide 2024

OVERVIEW: Family Regatta week with class starts for Fireball, Flying Fifteen, Finn, 29er, RS200, 2000, RS Aero 7, RS Aero 5, Solo, RS Feva, Optimist & RS Elites. Combined class starts for RS Aero 6 & Byte & Europe, ILCA 6 & 4, RS Tera Pro & Tera Sport, Hadron H2 & D Zero. Handicap fleets: Fast PY 1034 & below, Fast Asymmetric PY 938 & below, Slow Asymmetric PY 939-1006 , Medium PY 1035-1220. Entry in 2023 was 399.

INSIDER TIP: Early bird entry fees available from 1 May until 30 June. Four race areas within Chichester Harbour with the Elites just past Harbour entrance.

SPONSORS: Event sponsor Bentley Walker, supplemented by Chichester Harbour Gin, Raymarine and Optimum Timers.

WEBSITE: chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net

COWES SPRING CLASSICS

17-19 May, Cowes Corinthian YC/Shepards Marina, Cowes, Isle of Wight

OVERVIEW: Cowes Spring Classics is a regatta for classic yachts designed before 1970, including: Cruisers & Cruiser Racers, Affordable Classic Cruisers around 25ft, Gaff Rigged Yachts & Pilot Cutters, Day Boats & Raters, Classic Metre Yachts plus Modern Spirit of Tradition Yachts. Racing organised by Cowes Corinthian YC. Non-racing yachts and motorboats also welcome.

SPONSORS: Classic Marine, West System, British Classic Yacht Club, Simon Winter Marine, Mermaid Gin, Classic Boat.

WEBSITE: cowesspringclassics.com

27 July-2 August, Cowes Week Ltd / Cowes, Isle of Wight

OVERVIEW: Cowes Week is one of the UK’s longest running and most successful sporting events and is a key highlight of the British sporting summer. The regatta sees up to 600 boats in up to 40 different classes take part in seven days of world-class racing. To add to the on-the-water action, the lively après-sail atmosphere at Cowes Week means there are plenty of social and exciting onshore activities for sailors and the spectators who visit Cowes each year.

INSIDER TIP: Be part of the action, enter online www.cowesweek.co.uk or book a spot on a spectator boat .

SPONSORS: Musto, Mount Gay, Red Funnel , Cowes Yacht Haven, Seahorse Magazine , Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting ; Official Charities: Tall Ships Youth Trust & RNLI .

WEBSITE: cowesweek.co.uk

Fleet heading towards Egypt Point. Credit: Paul Wyeth - sailing

MUDEFORD WEEK

4-8 August, Mudeford SC, Christchurch, Dorset

OVERVIEW: Family racing at a safe, sheltered location in Christchurch Harbour: a friendly club event which attracts novice as well as expert sailors. Socials including a meal at The Beach Hut, fish and chips on the barge and prizegiving. Fun events to include paddleboarding, kayaks and a treasure hunt around the harbour.

INSIDER TIP: Have a sail around before racing starts to locate the shallows.

WEBSITE: mudefordsc.org

25-30 August, Parkstone YC, Poole, Dorset

OVERVIEW: Bournemouth Digital Poole Week offers six afternoons of racing in the beautiful waters of Poole Harbour for dinghies and small keelboats, typically attracting over 150 entries. Class starts for fleets including ILCA 6s and 7s, Flying Fifteens, Darts, Wayfarers, RS200s and XODs, and handicap too. Competitive and family-friendly. On-the-water coaching for all fleets, great après-sail socials, daily prize-givings and much more.

INSIDER TIP: Study the course charts! And/or ask a native. Some courses use the full expanse of Poole Harbour, so it’s useful to know where you’re going.

SPONSORS: Bournemouth Digital, Badger Beers

WEBSITE: PooleWeek.org

SOUTH WEST – Races and Regattas

Babbacombe regatta.

22-23 June, Babbacombe Corinthian SC, St Marychurch, Torquay, Devon.

OVERVIEW: The 197 th Babbacombe dinghy regatta offers two days of racing in beautiful Babbacombe Bay. Junior and novice sailors especially welcome to come along and enjoy some fun racing. The Commodore invites all regatta sailors and their guests to a reception on the Saturday night.

WEBSITE: babbacombe-sc.com

CAMEL WEEK

9-14 August, Rock Sailing and Waterski Club, Rock, North Cornwall

OVERVIEW: An open regatta for dinghies and catamarans combining handicap and pursuit races in the beautiful Camel Estuary or Padstow Bay, complete with sandy beaches and breeze. There is also the John Bray Cornish Holidays Junior Camel Week, an event aimed at the under 18s, 25-31 July.

INSIDER TIP: The format combines well with a family Cornish holiday

SPONSORS: Sharp’s Brewery

WEBSITE: rswsc.co.uk

DARTMOUTH ROYAL REGATTA SAILING WEEK

24-31 August, Royal Dart YC, Kingswear, Dartmouth, Devon

OVERVIEW: Dartmouth Royal Regatta is a family orientated regatta that offers competitive racing in Start Bay and the River Dart, with a wide range of activities for all the family, including a funfair and firework display on the Friday evening. The dinghy regattas start the week’s racing with the Juniors at RDYC 24-26 August and Moore Kingston Smith Financial Dinghies at Dittisham 24-27 August. The yacht regatta follows with the passage race from Brixham to Dartmouth on Tuesday 27 August, and racing in Start Bay 28-31 August. There will be classes for IRC and SWYTCF rated yachts, one design fleets, classics, dayboats and gaffers depending on the number of entries. There are White Sail Family Fun events on Friday & Saturday 30-31 August. NB: The Regatta is a week later this year.

INSIDER TIP: Dartmouth Royal Regatta is very popular with visiting yachts so make sure you book your accommodation early. Details available on the website.

SPONSORS: Salcombe Gin, Moore Kingston Smith, Henri Lloyd, Paradigm Norton, Savills, Raymarine, Ancasta, Rockfish, Twisted Marine.

WEBSITE: dartmouthsailingweek.com

FALMOUTH CLASSICS

14-16 June, Port of Falmouth, Cornwall

OVERVIEW: One of the largest UK Classic events held in the delightful setting of the River Fal and Falmouth Bay. Three races for fourteen classes, two on the water parades, receptions, a maritime village and the International Falmouth Shanty Festival with over 70 groups. One of three events that qualify for the West Country Classics Series sponsored by Hattiers Rum.

SPONSORS: Partner Sponsors: Falmouth Harbour Commissioners and Falmouth Haven, Teamac, Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, Classic Boat, West Briton, plus major and event partners.

WEBSITE: falmouthclassics.org.uk

FALMOUTH SAILING WEEK

11-17 August, Falmouth, Cornwall.

OVERVIEW: Seven days of varied racing for over 20 classes ranging from IRC yachts to dinghies. Starting with a skippers’ briefing at the Royal Cornwall YC on Saturday 10 August. The regatta is hosted by six clubs starting with Helford River SC (11th) then visiting Mylor YC (12th), Restronguet SC (13th), Royal Cornwall YC (15th), St Mawes SC (16th) and Flushing SC (17th) for the final regatta and overall prizegiving. Multi class options for entry including classes for dinghies. Racing in the harbour, Carrick Roads or Falmouth Bay. Daily entries, a three-day series and seven-day entry all possible. The Port of Falmouth Sailing Association has held entry fees at 2023 prices. All entrants under 18 are FREE this year!

INSIDER TIP: Register early for the best entry fees. There’s a fantastic social scene shoreside with music events in Falmouth throughout the regatta week.

SPONSORS: Mylor Yacht Harbour, Hine Downing Solicitors, Mainbrace Rum, Ancasta International Boat Sales and The Flip Flop Shop; Super Yacht Services Falmouth, Falmouth Town Council, and South-West Bars and Events. New sponsors for FSW24 are Velos Insurance Group, Evelyn Partners and River Boatyard. Additional class prize sponsors are Indidog Eatery, The St Mawes Scent Room and The Mariners Supply Company

WEBSITE: falmouthweek.co.uk/sailing-week

FOWEY ROYAL SAILING REGATTA

18-24 August, Fowey Sailing Committee: Royal Fowey YC & Fowey Gallants SC, South Cornwall

OVERVIEW: Fowey Regatta and Carnival is one of the UK’s best known sailing events with a long history, offering a full programme of racing for Troys, Fowey Rivers, Cruisers, Falmouth Working Boats and a handicap dinghy fleet. There are also many traditional land-based events, including the carnival procession, fireworks, crab-catching and harbour swim and live music.

INSIDER TIP: After racing gather at Royal Fowey YC or Fowey Gallants SC for great food and a good chat about the day’s events before prize-giving! WEBSITE: foweyregatta.co.uk

NORTH DEVON YACHT CLUB OPEN WEEK

10-17 August, North Devon YC, Instow, Bideford, North Devon

OVERVIEW: Sailing and racing for all with racing for dinghies (including Blaze and ILCA sub fleets), fast cats, Dart 15s and gaffers: pursuits, round-the-bay, cup races, regatta series and more! Fabulous sailing area with big breeze, fun waves and tides. Great value week at just £30 for adults, £20 cadets. INSIDER TIP: Family-friendly holiday location with social activities throughout.

WEBSITE: ndyc.org/sailing/open-week-2024

PASAB (Penzance Around Scilly and Back) 19-22 July 2024, Penzance SC, West Cornwall

OVERVIEW: Leg 1 is an overnight race from Penzance to St Mary’s, Isles of Scilly, starting at 19.00 Friday 19 July; Leg 2 is a race around the islands starting on the Sunday at 09.30; Leg 3 starts from St Mary’s on Monday 22 July at 09.30 and races back to Penzance.

INSIDER TIP: Conditions can be challenging and exciting. The Islands are unique and stunning and a great experience for all.

WEBSITE: pzsc.org.uk/pasab

PLYMOUTH RACE WEEK

11-14 July, Royal Western Yacht Club of England, Queen Anne’s Battery Plymouth

OVERVIEW: There will be three great events happening simultaneously during this four-day regatta, taking place over three race courses in Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. Also known as ‘The Yachtsman’s Regatta’, the event incorporates the IRC Southwest Championships, SW YTC Championships and J24 National Championships, alongside a full entertainment package, including a roast, live music, BBQ and crew party.

INSIDER TIP: The Breakwater provides excellent shelter against big seas and coupled with the natural amphitheatre of Plymouth Sound, offers fantastic racing conditions and spectator vantage points in order to watch the action close up!

WEBSITE: rwyc.org/club-racing/plymouthraceweek

PORT OF PLYMOUTH SAILING ASSOCIATION DINGHY REGATTA

8-9 June, hosted by PPSA at The Mount Batten Sailing Centre, Plymouth

OVERVIEW: Fleets ranging from rookies and beginners to asymmetric classes, also including the Solo Western Series Championships, GP14 Southern Area Championships, Phantom and OK open meetings. An excellent social venue with Saturday barbecue and some of the best sailing waters in the UK. Any class with more than six entries can have their own results and there is a team entry as well.

INSIDER TIP: The tidal flows in Plymouth are affected by the two major rivers running into the Sound – look at tidal flow charts to see where there are back eddies.

SPONSORS : Mount Batten Watersports and Activities Centre, Port of Plymouth, Freshwave, Dinghy Shack, Plymouth Youth Sailing, Port of Plymouth Sailing Association.

WEBSITE: dinghy-regatta.ppsa.org.uk

SALCOMBE YACHT CLUB REGATTA

11-16 August, Salcombe YC, Salcombe, Devon

OVERVIEW: SYC looks forward to welcoming members and visitors alike to its 2024 regatta, once again to be sponsored by Salcombe Gin. The club hopes that the thought of summer sailing, fantastic racing, its SYC friendly welcome, golden beaches, the superbly located Yacht Club Terrace high above the race course with exceptional viewing of the racing, and the fun ‘Après Sail’ social life, will all encourage you to take part in the SYC Salcombe Gin Regatta 2024!

SPONSOR: Salcombe Gin

INSIDER TIP: The club encourages all dinghy sailors to base themselves on Mill Bay Beach for the week and will offer a trolley transfer service at the beginning and end of the week. For more info and local accommodation visit the website.

WEBSITE: https://www.salcombeyc.org.uk/

TORBAY DINGHY REGATTA

27-28 July, Royal Torbay YC, Torquay, Devon

OVERVIEW: Two-day regatta with racing for PY dinghies (asymmetric and non-asymmetric) and junior classes in stunning Tor Bay on the English Riviera. Incorporating the Albacore Class Southern Area Championships. Fast and easy access to the sailing waters, lots of accommodation within easy walking distance and great Saturday night social.

INSIDER TIP: Enquiries from class associations are welcome.

WEBSITE: rtyc.org/event/torbay-dinghy-regatta-2024

TORBAY ROYAL REGATTA

24-26 August, Royal Torbay YC, Torquay, Devon

OVERVIEW: Racing over three days for IRC, Cruiser Classes, J/24s and Sportsboats. Competitors can expect fun and competitive racing on the fine sailing waters of Tor Bay. Free berthing is included in the entry fees and from the sheltered harbour there is quick and easy access to the race areas. The town offers an enviable range of accommodation, restaurants, bars and car parks all within walking distance of the club and harbour. Competitors and their families can be sure of a very warm welcome and will enjoy a friendly atmosphere, cordial hospitality and great shoreside entertainment.

INSIDER TIP: The English Riviera is a great place to be during August! NOR on the website and further information available from [email protected]

WEBSITE: rtyc.org/event/torbay-royal-regatta

WALES – Races and Regattas

Abersoch dinghy week .

21-26 July, South Caernarvonshire YC, Abersoch, North Wales

OVERVIEW: Racing for all classes of asymmetric, doublehanded and singlehanded dinghies in Cardigan Bay’s fabulous waters. Continuing on with the new format started in 2022: committee boat starts with two shorter races back-to-back per day and varied courses, with the traditional starts from the club line as well, being wind dependent. Coached regatta fleet for the novice sailor/new racer. Full social programme.

INSIDER TIP: Abersoch’s golden sandy beaches and the spectacular waters of Cardigan Bay allow SCYC to offer a fabulous week of competitive dinghy racing.

SPONSOR: Abersoch Boatyard

WEBSITE: scyc.co.uk/event/dinghy-week

ABERSOCH KEELBOAT WEEK

19-23 August, South Caernarvonshire YC, Abersoch, North Wales

OVERVIEW: SCYC is delighted to be organising and hosting AKW again, renowned for 40 years as a fun regatta with a serious edge. Fleets: Small Keelboats; IRC1; IRC2; White Sails (Non-Spinnaker) (split into two fleets); Sports Boats (new fleet). YTC scoring for Small Keelboats and White Sails. IRC classes: committee boat starts. Others: club or committee boat starts, using club marks.

INSIDER TIP: A relaxed atmosphere off the water complements the competition on it. Practice day on Sunday 18 August.

SPONSORS: One Sails (South)

WEBSITE: scyc.co.uk/event/keelboat-week

CARDIGAN BAY REGATTA

9-11 August, New Quay YC, Ceredigion, West Wales

OVERVIEW: Three-day annual event with sailing races for all classes plus swimming races and fun events for children and families, and sandcastle building competitions on the first day. New Quay is one of the oldest regattas in the UK, first being held in 1829 – the 2024 regatta will be the 148th Cardigan Bay Regatta!

WEBSITE: cardiganbayregatta.co.uk

MENAI STRAIT REGATTAS

5-17 August, Royal Anglesey YC/Royal Welsh YC, North Wales

OVERVIEW: The Menai Strait Regattas is one of the oldest classic boat regattas in Wales if not in the UK. The Menai Strait Regattas have used the same venues since the early 1800s and are pleased to have clubs locally and also north-west clubs mainly from the Merseyside/Wirral area competing.

INSIDER TIP: There is no charge to watch the racing at any of the clubs along the Menai Strait.

WEBSITE: menaistraitregattas.org.uk

SCOTLAND – Races and Regattas

Findhorn week.

22-26 July, Royal Findhorn YC, Findhorn, Moray, NE Scotland

OVERVIEW: A family dinghy week for both Handicap and Class (depending on number of boats) racing. There is also a separate Novice event for children. All taking place in Findhorn Bay. There is an extensive social programme alongside the sailing which makes this a great holiday for the whole family. INSIDER TIP: Get your accommodation in Findhorn booked early. SPONSOR: Pinnell & Bax

WEBSITE: rfyc.co.uk/sailing/events

SCOTTISH SERIES

24-27 May, Clyde Cruising Club, Tarbert, Loch Fyne, West Scotland

OVERVIEW: Three fleets: IRC, One Design and CYCA. IRC and OD classes will race on courses set using remote controlled SmartMarks. Another innovation for 2024 is the inclusion of an ‘Introductory Class’ to support first-time regatta skippers and crew. CYCA courses will be set using pre-laid static marks positioned strategically to allow a variety of racing formats. IRC and CYCA boats will sail the Sunday Inch Passage Race.

INSIDER TIP: A full social programme will be run over the four days at Tarbert in the marquee at the marina.

SPONSORS: Kylemark, Holland House & CGL Facades

WEBSITE: scottishseries.co.uk

WEST HIGHLAND YACHTING WEEK

27 July-2 August, Craobh/Oban/Tobermory

OVERVIEW: This is one of the leading international yachting events, in stunning surroundings, with a winning combination of round the buoys and passage racing, supported by an excellent social programme. West Highland Yachting Week also allows competitors to enter for individual races or the passage race series if they do not want to take part in the whole week.

INSIDER TIP: The passage race series is a great way to try out the event for the first time or with a young family.

SPONSORS: Tunnocks, The Majestic Line, Lochnell Boatyard

WEBSITE: whyw.co.uk

IRELAND – Races and Regattas

Cork week .

15-19 July, Royal Cork YC, Crosshaven, Co. Cork

OVERVIEW: The biennial Volvo Cork Week regatta running since 1978 is shaping up to be another fantastic iteration of this long-standing event. The secret of the event’s success cannot be attributed to any single aspect of its organisation but has been built on the combination of friendly competition, diverse racing, enthusiastic volunteers, and the good humour of thousands of visitors.

INSIDER TIP: Get there early to garner some local knowledge and enjoy the après sail!

SPONSORS: Volvo, Musto, Cork County Council, Port of Cork, Heineken.

WEBSITE: corkweek.ie

CHANNEL ISLANDS – Races and Regattas

Jersey regatta .

13-15 September, Royal Channel Islands YC, St Helier YC and St Catherine’s SC, Jersey

OVERVIEW: The Carey Olsen Jersey Regatta provides three days of fun and competitive racing coupled with a full ‘après racing’ social programme alongside the island’s vibrant nightlife. As ever the 26 th edition will offer a warm welcome to all, locals and visitors alike, with up to two races on Friday afternoon and three back-to-back races on both Saturday and Sunday: IRC cruiser/racer, sportsboat and Quarter Ton classes; RYA YTC cruiser/racer classes; dayboat, dinghy and sport catamaran classes. Included in the regatta programme is the ever-hotly contested GBR IRC Channel Islands Championship, open to all local and visiting IRC boats.

INSIDER TIP: ‘Early bird’ discounts until 23 August; book early for ferries and accommodation ( jersey.com ) as it is very busy in September; ship chandlers and refuelling stations are located at St Helier Harbour and St Aubin’s Harbour.

SPONSOR: Offshore law firm Carey Olsen; co-sponsor Ports of Jersey – Jersey Marinas – complementary berthing.

WEBSITE: jerseyregatta.com

Whether your right up north, gearing up for Findhorn Week, searching for races and regattas in wales, or heading into the solent for Cowes Week, our races and regattas guide and calendar has you covered.

Interested in Classic Races and Regattas?

Our partner brand Classic Boat Magazine has the full Classic races and regattas 2024 calendar just for you!

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Better Sailing

Best Sailboats with 3 Cabins

Are you looking for chartering or buying a new or used 3-cabin sailboat? Do you want to sail around the world with your family, friends, or partner? Nowadays, there are a lot of spacious and reliable 3-cabin sailboats that can serve your needs and preferences. Always remember to conduct thorough research before buying a sailboat in order for you to live or sail on it with adequate comfort and space. Choosing a well-designed, robust, spacious, and seaworthy sailboat is the key to successful passagemaking. So, are you looking to accomplish your dream and sail overseas with a 3-cabin sailboat? Then, continue reading this article. I’m going to list the best 3-cabin sailboats to live on and travel overseas as well as their characteristics. Follow me!

For more than four decades the Amel brand has managed to build robust and reliable long-range cruising yachts. The Amel 55 ensures a comfortable motion while sailing and her long waterline length offers great speed potential. Moreover, she provides excellent protection on deck because of her wheel shelter at the end of the cockpit as well as ample space in the cockpit area. As for the rigging, the cutter headed ketch rig is fully furling, and has electric reefing on the mainsail, genoa, and a set of electric sheet winches. Another great characteristic is that she has double bow rollers which allow two anchors to be carried on the bow. The saloon has a huge table with wrap-around seating, plenty of handholds, and enough space for stowage.

Furthermore, she has a three-cabin layout; forward is situated the main cabin with enough headroom, and aft you can choose either a huge stateroom or a pair of cabins with double or side-by-side beds. Lastly, forward, aft and main bulkheads are watertight with rubber seals on the door and have a strongback so as to close firmly. All these amenities, space, easy-handling, and excellent performance while sailing, should be considered by anyone planning long-term cruising.

Amel 55 - Best Luxury Sailboat with 3 Cabins

Elan Impression 40.1

This sailboat is widely popular in the charter market. She offers great volume aft that allows for extra storage under the helmsman seats and has extra space forward in the cockpit. The rig features a powerful overlapping headsail which is the main driving force behind the sailboat when the engine is off. Moreover, she has a simple overall set-up which makes her easy to handle. The interior layout features a linear affair running down the starboard side including a large fridge. To port, there’s a very large convertible saloon sofa as well as a chart table.

Furthermore, there’s a double berth forward and a bunk room just to port with the heads/shower to starboard. So, you benefit from a larger double berth with heads to port and a separate shower room to starboard. Lastly, you can choose between four different cabin layouts; for the 3-cabin layout, there are two roomy cabins aft and an en-suite forward cabin with enough storage under the bed.

Oceanis 40.1

The 39ft Oceanis 40.1 offers plenty of deck volume, interior space and ensures high performance while sailing. She is available in different layouts, draughts, and rigs, so as to satisfy each sailor’s needs and preferences. A spacious family cruiser, with a wide cockpit, and enough speed without minimizing her capabilities in terms of performance and handling. She has the standard in-mast furling mainsail and as well as an optional genoa and a standard self-tacking jib. Below, there’s a big saloon, a C-shaped galley, a double cabin forward, and one double cabin or two cabins aft with bunk beds. So, you have all amenities to satisfy a family’s needs. A comfy cockpit, a spacious saloon, 3 roomy cabins, and a large practical galley for use in port. You can buy a new Oceanis 40.1 for $257,400 and even schedule a test drive through the company’s website.

Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 36i

This high-performance cruiser with her exceptional hi-tech construction ensures powerful offshore sailing. With her fractional rig, high-aspect blade rudders, 3rd generation hull construction, and perfectly capable of sailing upwind, she’s a classic example of a modern performance cruiser. You can select the 3-cabin option, aft cabin with a double bed and the other two with bunks or doubles. The central saloon has clever design touches with a removable dining table leaf to seat and extra settee space. Also, a big L-shaped galley at the foot of the companionway, to starboard, and the head and shower stall just opposite, to port. As you can see the boat’s overall appeal offers great amenities along with excellent sailing performance.

This is a 39ft 3-cabin sailboat adequate for 6 or 8 persons. She has a wide and straight hull as well as a spacious cockpit that provides enough space to move around, relax, and dine outdoors. On the stern, there’s a platform that is located lower to the hull of the ship. The platform is separated from the cockpit with a bench below and is very easy to lower and raise, as well as store items and additional equipment. Furthermore, you can choose between three different types of interior or 2 different cabin layouts. She has a modern and functional interior equipped with comfy furniture. Due to her abundant space below deck, the sailboat can offer a three-bath double cabin layout or 3 small but comfortable cabins with enough headroom.

This sailboat is carefully designed so as to ensure comfort and a spacious interior to live in. The layout of Hunter 38 has an L-shaped galley to starboard at the foot of the companionway, a nav station to port, and a dining area amidships. Moreover, the salon has a 6’6” headroom and the galley has a fridge, a sink, a stove/oven, and cabinets for storage. The V-berth and both aft cabins can accommodate 2 people each. Also, all 3 cabins have hanging lockers and enough storage space. Also, the 2-compartment single head is connected with doors to both the main cabin and the aft stateroom. Her base price starts from $144,990 and is ideal for coastal cruising and family outings.

Bavaria Cruiser 34

The Bavaria 34 has similar hull construction with her previous models 32 and 33. However, this one is more spacious and with a few new bits of restyled bodywork as well as more interior options. She’s generally responsive and enjoyable on the helm while sailing. Despite this, deck stowage around the cockpit is limited to just two depth lockers in the aft cockpit seating. But below deck, there’s a quite large saloon, big and functional galley with all basic amenities, and 3 roomy cabins. The option of three double cabins can accommodate a family of 6 and the port cabin offers a big head compartment. Lastly, she’s easy to sail and handle and ensures a great combination of quality and value. In other words, she’s like a home away from home!

Best Sailboats with 3 Cabins – Final Thoughts

These are some great 3-cabin sailboats adequate for either offshore sailing or just for coastal cruises and family outings. Remember that everything depends on some important factors that determine which 3-cabin sailboat is the right for you. These factors are your sailing routes, your budget, your needs, interior comforts, sailing performance, and your crew members. So, you need to consider everything before buying a new or used 3-cabin sailboat. For example, if you’re just sailing around a bay and anchoring a lot with your family, you don’t need a high-performance sailboat. On the other hand, if you’re sailing offshore for a long time and you have 5 more persons in your crew then you’d require a spacious, reliable, and fast sailboat. In any case, there’s a wide variety of different options out there to choose from and you’ll definitely find what you’re looking for. Bon voyage!

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Orcas Sink 50-Foot Yacht Off the Coast of Morocco

The vessel’s two passengers were evacuated onto an oil tanker in the Strait of Gibraltar. The incident marks the fifth vessel the mammals have sunk in recent years

Daily Correspondent

a pod of four orcas swims, their backs, heads and fins visible from above the surface of the water

The boat-ramming orcas are back in action: Two people had to be rescued from a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after the black-and-white marine mammals damaged the vessel so badly it later sank, reporters Reuters ’ David Latona.

The incident occurred around 9 a.m. local time Sunday, some 14 miles north of Cape Spartel in northern Morocco. Passengers aboard the 50-foot Alboran Cognac felt blows to the yacht’s hull and saw that the rudder had been damaged. As water began leaking onto the ship, they contacted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center in Tarifa, Spain, which directed them to prepare for an emergency rescue.

About an hour later, a nearby oil tanker picked up the two crew members, who were customers of Spain-based Alboran Charter , which owns the yacht, reports the Washington Post ’s Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff.

The boat took on more water and sank soon after. It’s not clear how many orcas targeted the vessel.

The sinking of the Alboran Cognac is the latest in a string of incidents involving orcas and ships in the Strait of Gibraltar. The highly intelligent, social marine mammals made headlines last spring , when they sank a Swiss yacht called Champagne off the coast of Spain. In November, they brought down another ship , a Polish sailing yacht called the Grazie Mamma .

But the animals’ unusual behavior goes back even further: Since 2020, mariners have reported 700 interactions between orcas and ships in the Strait of Gibraltar, per Reuters. The Alboran Cognac is the fifth vessel orcas have sunk in the last three years, reports Live Science ’s Harry Baker.

Most of the incidents have been recorded in the Strait of Gibraltar, a waterway linking the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The strait, which is bordered by Morocco to the south and by Spain to the north, is home to a distinct—and critically endangered —subpopulation of fewer than 50 orcas .

However, last June, orcas also rammed into a ship in the North Sea between Scotland and Norway, roughly 2,000 miles away from the Strait of Gibraltar. Scientists weren’t quite sure what to make of that incident, which raised the possibility that the destructive behavior was spreading to different groups of orcas.

In the meantime, authorities are urging mariners in the Strait of Gibraltar to exercise caution this summer. Spain’s Maritime Safety and Rescue Society recommends avoiding a large area between the Gulf of Cádiz and the Strait of Gibraltar; the agency also suggests that mariners sail as close to the coast as possible, especially from May to August, when orcas are more likely to be in the region.

If sailors do encounter orcas, the agency recommends they keep the vessel moving and head toward shallower waters. People onboard the ship should remain in the middle of the vessel and not approach the sides, where they may be at risk of falling overboard.

The agency also asked mariners to notify authorities of any orca encounters and, if possible, to take photographs of the creatures for identification.

Scientists remain puzzled by the orcas’ destructive behavior. A leading hypothesis is that a female nicknamed “White Gladis” started ramming into ships after having some sort of traumatic run-in with a vessel; she may also have been pregnant when she first started targeting ships. Since orcas are social creatures, other members of White Gladis’ group may have simply followed her lead and mimicked her actions.

“The idea of revenge is a great story, but there’s no evidence for it,” said Lori Marino , a neuroscientist and the founder and president of the Whale Sanctuary Project, to BBC Newsbeat ’s Shaun Dacosta last year.

Another possibility is that the orcas are curious about ships, or maybe, they’re just having fun.

“They’re probably socializing, yucking it up with each other about their adventures without realizing the terror they’re creating in their moments of joy,” said Andrew Trites , a marine mammal researcher at the University of British Columbia in Canada, to Business Insider ’s Erin Heger last summer.

From January to May 2024, the interactions recorded by the GT Orcas APP and @crewingservice were a total of 26. It is a 65% lower than the 2023 records and 40% less than the average. Interactions have been reduced since the wide distribution of the orcas. — Orca Ibérica GTOA (@Orca_Iberica) May 14, 2024

Orcas have also been known to temporarily exhibit other unusual behaviors, like placing dead salmon atop their heads. The boat-ramming behavior may be another, similarly short-lived fad that the Strait of Gibraltar orcas will eventually move on from.

And they may already be doing just that: Between January and May 2024, the number of reported interactions with orcas was 65 percent lower than during the same period in 2023 and 40 percent lower than the average for those months across 2021, 2022 and 2023, according to the Atlantic Orca Working Group .

Whatever the orcas’ motivations, scientists have urged onlookers to avoid assigning human emotions to the animals’ behaviors. Though the boat-ramming killer whales have given rise to internet memes and merchandise that suggests they’re plotting an “ orca uprising ,” researchers argue that the marine mammals are not acting with malicious intent.

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Sarah Kuta | READ MORE

Sarah Kuta is a writer and editor based in Longmont, Colorado. She covers history, science, travel, food and beverage, sustainability, economics and other topics.

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ISA Unveils a Trio of Sleek New Superyachts

The new Viper range includes three models measuring 100, 120, and 140 feet, respectively.

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This new 131-foot superyacht concept brings high architecture to the high seas, wider yachts is debuting a 92-foot hybrid catamaran at the venice boat show—here’s a first look.

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ISA Yachts is bringing a trio of serpentine superyachts to the high seas.

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Boats still aren't safe from orcas as the Mediterranean yachting season kicks off and killer whales sink another yacht

Killer whales took down another yacht on Monday as the Mediterranean yachting season begins.
It's the latest incident of orcas clashing with boats, which has been on the rise in recent years.
Marine biologists say the orcas are likely playing and may be learning the behavior from each other.

The Mediterranean yachting season has kicked off for the summer — and it didn't take long for another yacht to fall victim to a killer whale encounter .

A group of orcas sank a 50-foot sailing yacht in Moroccan waters on Sunday in the latest of several similar incidents involving the highly social species that have occurred over the past four years.

An unknown number of orcas were involved in the incident, which took place in the Strait of Gibraltar, Spain's maritime rescue service said Monday, according to Reuters .

Watch: Billionaire's $20 million plan to send orca home after 50 years in captivity

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Greek defense team says 9 Egyptians accused of causing deadly shipwreck were misidentified as crew

The legal defense team for nine Egyptian men due to go on trial in southern Greece next week accused of causing one of the Mediterranean’s deadliest shipwrecks say they will argue Greece has no jurisdiction in the case

ATHENS, Greece -- The legal defense team for nine Egyptian men due to go on trial in southern Greece next week accused of causing one of the Mediterranean's deadliest shipwrecks said Thursday they will argue that Greece has no jurisdiction in the case, and insisted their clients were innocent survivors who have been unjustly prosecuted.

The nine, whose ages range from early 20s to early 40s, are due to go on trial in the southern city of Kalamata on May 21 on a series of charges, including migrant smuggling, participation in a criminal organization and causing a deadly shipwreck. They face multiple life sentences if convicted.

The Adriana, an overcrowded fishing trawler, had been sailing from Libya to Italy with hundreds of asylum-seekers on board when it sank on June 14 in international waters off the southwestern coast of Greece.

The exact number of people on board has never been established, but estimates range from around 500 to more than 700. Only 104 people survived — all men and boys from Syria, Egypt, Pakistan and two Palestinians — and about 80 bodies were recovered. The vessel sank in one of the Mediterranean's deepest areas, making recovery efforts all but impossible.

The Greek lawyers who make up the defense team spoke during a news conference in Athens on Thursday. They maintained their clients’ innocence, saying all nine defendants had been paying passengers who had been misidentified as crew members by other survivors who gave testimonies under duress just hours after having been rescued.

The nine “are random people, smuggled people who paid the same amounts as all the others to take this trip to Italy aiming for a better life, and they are accused of being part of the smuggling team,” lawyer and defense team member Vicky Aggelidou said.

Dimitris Choulis, another lawyer and member of the legal team, said that Greek authorities named the defendants as crew members following testimonies by nine other survivors who identified them for having done things as simple as handing bottles of water or pieces of fruit to other passengers.

“For nearly a year now, nine people have been in prison without knowing what they are in prison for,” Choulis said.

“For me, it is very sad to visit and see people in prison who do not understand why they are there,” he added.

While the Adriana was sailing in international waters, the area was within Greece's search and rescue zone of responsibility. Greece's coast guard had been shadowing the vessel for a full day without attempting a rescue of those on board. A patrol boat and at least two merchant ships were in the vicinity when the trawler capsized and sank.

In the aftermath of the sinking, some survivors said the coast guard had been attempting to tow the boat when it sank, and rights activists have accused Greek authorities of triggering the shipwreck while attempting to tow the boat out of Greece's zone of responsibility.

Greek authorities have rejected accusations of triggering the shipwreck and have insisted the trawler's crew members had refused to accept help from the nearby merchant ships and from the Greek coast guard.

A separate investigation being carried out by Greece's naval court hasn't yet reached any conclusion, and the defense team hasn't been given any access to any part of it.

The Egyptians' defense team also argues that because the shipwreck occurred in international waters, Greek courts don't have jurisdiction to try the case, and the defense will move to have the case dismissed on those grounds when the trial opens in Kalamata next week.

Greece lies along one of the most popular routes into the European Union for people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. While most of those cross into the country’s eastern Aegean Sea islands from the nearby Turkish coast, others try to skirt Greece altogether and head from north Africa to Italy across the longer and more dangerous Mediterranean route.

On Thursday, Greece's coast guard said that 42 people had been rescued and another three were believed to be missing after a boat carrying migrants sent out a distress call while sailing south of the Greek island of Crete.

Officials said they were alerted by the Italian coast guard overnight about a boat in distress 27 nautical miles (31 miles or 50 kilometers) south of Crete. Greece's coast guard said that 40 people were rescued by nearby ships, and another two were rescued by a Greek navy helicopter.

A search and rescue operation was underway for three people reported by survivors as still missing. It wasn't immediately clear what kind of vessel the passengers had been on, or why the boat sent out a distress call.

Derek Gatopoulos contributed to this report.

Follow AP’s coverage of migration issues at https://apnews.com/hub/migration

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COMMENTS

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPINNAKER AND A GENNAKER
A popular online dictionary defines spinnaker as: "a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind." When spinnakers were all symmetric, that dictionary definition would've been fine.
Parts Of a Sail Explained (Illustrated Beginners Guide)
Tack: This is the front, lower corner where the sail connects to the boat. A tack line is used to adjust the sail's position relative to the bow. Head: The top corner of the sail, where it connects to the halyard to be hoisted up the mast. Clew: The aft corner of the sail, connected to the sheet, allowing you to control the angle of the sail to ...
The Different Types of Sails On A Sailboat: An Easy Guide
The head is the top corner of the sail. Most mainsails have a headboard or plate where the halyard is connected, while headsails use a metal ring. A halyard is a line we use to raise and lower sails with. Leech. The leech is the aft part of a sail, located between the clew and head. We use a combination of the outhaul, main sheet, and traveler ...
The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)
Boats with one mast can have either one sail, two sails, or three or more sails. The 3 most common one-masted rigs are: Cat - one mast, one sail; Sloop - one mast, two sails; Cutter - one mast, three or more sails; 1. Gaff Cat Cat boat with single gaff-rigged sail 2. Gaff Sloop Sloop with gaff rig 3. Cutter
Parts of a sail
The headsail of a sailboat is any sail set forward of the mast (on a single masted boat) or foremast (the mast nearest the bow). The corresponding parts are the same relative to the front of the boat. (Note: The headsail tack is the name for the lower corner of the headsail -- the sail closest to the front of the boat.)
Spinnaker
spinnaker (naut.) three-cornered sail carried by racing yachts. XIX. Said to be a fanciful formation on spinks, mispronunciation of Sphinx, name of the first yacht that commonly carried the sail. The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD.
Sail components
Sail components include the features that define a sail's shape and function, plus its constituent parts from which it is manufactured. A sail may be classified in a variety of ways, including by its orientation to the vessel (e.g. fore-and-aft) and its shape, (e.g. (a)symmetrical, triangular, quadrilateral, etc.).Sails are typically constructed out of flexible material that is shaped by ...
Spinnaker
Quick Reference. 1 A three-cornered lightweight sail which is normally set forward of a yacht's mast, with or without a boom, to increase sail area with the wind aft of the beam. The name of the sail seems to have come from the time it was first hoisted in a race in June 1865 aboard the yacht Niobe, whose owner, William Gordon, had a sailmaking ...
The 150th anniversary of the spinnaker
The Albert Cup in 1866 is thought to be the first time a yacht flew what is now known as a spinnaker, the large balloon-like three-cornered sail used for extra sail area down wind. Yacht racing in the Solent 150 years ago was dominated by large yachts with even larger crews. The Royal Albert Yacht Club had just been founded in Southsea and the ...
Spinnaker
a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind.... We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
YachtAdvocate.com: Naming the 3 Corners of the Sail
Cruising off of Malibu California aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 41, Gunnar Swanson THE Yacht Advocate, defines the 3 corners of the sail. This was on a day wit...
Names of Sails on a Sailboat
Luff: The forward edge of the sail. Leech: Back edge of the sail. Tack: The lower front corner of the sail. Clew: The bottom back corner of the sail. Foot: Bottom of the sail. There are two sail shapes, the fore-and-aft rigged sails, and square-rigged sails.
PDF GYBE TALKING: A guide to sloop talk
Here's a list of some terms and boat diagrams to help with your sailor speak. AFT - near or towards the stern of a vessel. AMIDSHIPS - roughly the middle, or center, of the boat. ... JIB - a three cornered sail carried forward of the forward most mast. Clearwater has one jib. JIB HORSE - a horizontal beam on which the jib sheet blocks travel.
Guide to Sail Trimming & Shaping
Sail trim and shape are pretty easy to master. By understanding and using a few key aspects of physics, you can make your boat sail not just faster, but better. Sailing however is not all science but rather an artform. While physics can make you sail better, a good intuition will make your boat sail best. I have seen sailors who far exceed my ...
North Sails. the Difference Between a Gennaker and A Spinnaker
A popular online dictionary defines spinnaker as: "a large three-cornered sail, typically bulging when full, set forward of the mainsail of a yacht when running before the wind." When spinnakers were all symmetric, that dictionary definition would've been fine. ... a Helix Furling Gennaker is customized to boat size and use: from family ...
Basics of proper sail setting and trimming on a yacht
In essence, a sail on a boat functions like a wing, utilizing the power of the wind to propel the vessel forward. Proper sail trim is essential for ensuring efficient and safe boating, taking into account not only the wind's strength but also the course being sailed. Gibson, Rob, Sail trimming, 2020, ISBN 987-80-87383-18-6, page 11, fig. 7 ...
Parts of a Sail
Front leading edge of a sail Roach Sails are not usually a perfect triangle and include an additional curved area on the leech of a sail, called a roach. A roach provides extra power to a sail Run A Run, or sometimes just referred to as "Running Downwind", is a precise point of sail and is when a boat is sailing directly downwind.
The best sail plans for crossing an ocean
After choosing a yacht and picking a crew, an Atlantic skipper must decide what sail plans to use and how to steer the boat. The range of options is huge. Sail-plans range from a simple main and genoa to more exotic coloured sails, and steering options span helming by hand, to windvane self-steering and electric autopilot systems.
Sailing Terms for Beginners
A large three-cornered sail made for light wind. We fly our spinnaker in light downwind scenarios. Storm jib. A jib that is smaller and stronger than the working jib. We fly our storm jib in winds too strong for our Genoa. Telltale. A fine string or ribbons located on the sail to help determine wind direction and proper sail trim.
UPWIND SAILING TACTICS: THE 3 GOLDEN RULES
But only sail as far as you need to before you're back in clear air. Now ask yourself those three Golden Rules again. It's too easy to stay on the same tack and gamble your position on going for the opposite corner from the fleet, just because it's different. If you're going to be different, be different for a good reason. 6.
three cornered sail Crossword Clue
three cornered sail Crossword Clue. The Crossword Solver found 30 answers to "three cornered sail", 9 letters crossword clue. The Crossword Solver finds answers to classic crosswords and cryptic crossword puzzles. Enter the length or pattern for better results. Click the answer to find similar crossword clues . A clue is required.
Killer Whales Sunk a 50-Foot Sailing Yacht in the Strait of ...
Last summer, for example, three orcas attacked a yacht during an international race in the Strait of Gibraltar. "This was a scary moment," the skipper Jelmer van Beek said at the time.
These 3 lesser-known cruise lines offer amazing voyages on sail ...
The line's third sailing vessel, Wind Surf, is nearly three times the size at 14,745 tons. It's one of the biggest sailing ships in the world (only a sister vessel that sails for Club Med is bigger).
Races and Regattas Guide 2024: Summer of Sailing Festivals
The yacht regatta follows with the passage race from Brixham to Dartmouth on Tuesday 27 August, and racing in Start Bay 28-31 August. There will be classes for IRC and SWYTCF rated yachts, one design fleets, classics, dayboats and gaffers depending on the number of entries. There are White Sail Family Fun events on Friday & Saturday 30-31 ...
Best Sailboats with 3 Cabins
Dufour 390. This is a 39ft 3-cabin sailboat adequate for 6 or 8 persons. She has a wide and straight hull as well as a spacious cockpit that provides enough space to move around, relax, and dine outdoors. On the stern, there's a platform that is located lower to the hull of the ship.
Orcas Sink 50-Foot Yacht Off the Coast of Morocco
The boat-ramming orcas are back in action: Two people had to be rescued from a sailing yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar after the black-and-white marine mammals damaged the vessel so badly it ...
ISA Just Unveiled a New Line of Sleek and Sinuous Superyachts
The ISA Viper range includes three models ranging from 100 to 140 feet. Work has already begun on the first Viper 120, with delivery slated for 2026. ... Killer Whales Sunk a 50-Foot Sailing Yacht ...
Orcas Sink Another Yacht Off Gibraltar
A group of orcas sank a 50-foot sailing yacht in Moroccan waters on Sunday in the latest of several similar incidents involving the highly social species that have occurred over the past four years.
42 rescued and 3 still missing after migrant boat sends distress signal
In June 2023, a massively overcrowded fishing trawler that had set sail from Libya sank into deep waters off the western Greek coast, killing around an estimated 500 people.

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THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPINNAKER AND A GENNAKER

What is a Spinnaker?

Symmetric Spinnakers and Asymmetric Spinnakers

What is a Genoa?

What is a Gennaker?

Is a Gennaker for Cruising or Racing?

Developments in Gennaker Technology

FEATURED STORIES

The Most Popular Types Of Sails On A Sailboat

The different types of sails on a sailboat

Light-wind sails

The standard sails

Mizzen Sail

Storm Sails

Storm Mainsail

Explaining the terms for the parts of a sail

Traditional and less commonly seen sails

Square sails

Jib-headed topsail

Sprit sails

Lateen sails

Popular sail and mast configurations

Bermuda Sloop Rig

Final words

FAQ: The Different Types of Sails On A Sailboat

What is the difference between a loose-footed and attached-footed mainsail?

What is a high-cut clew on a sail?

What is luff foam on a sail?

What are the most common sails?

What are the different types of sails?

What is a spinnaker sail?

What is a Jib sail?

Is Genoa sail the same as a jib?

What is a Genoa sail?

How many types of sail plans are there?

What is a Mainsail?

What is a Gennaker?

What is a Storm Jib?

What factors determine the type of sail to be used?

How do sails affect the performance of a sailboat?

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The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)

On this page:

Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types (with Pictures)

The parts of any sail

Basic sail shapes

Bermuda Sloop: the most common rig

Downwind sails

Gennaker or cruising spinnaker

Light air sails

Drifter reacher

Why Use Different Sails At All?

What Are Sails Made Of?

One-masted rigs

1. Gaff Cat

2. Gaff Sloop

Two-masted rigs

4. Schooner

5. Brigantine

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