When you use Malta Charters, you have the opportunity to choose from a myriad of different sailboat rentals. A sailboat is the perfect way to relax on the water, either on a solo adventure or on an excursion with friends and family.
When you rent a sailboat with Malta Charters, you will have the option to hire a captain to take the reins of the boat while you enjoy your day out on the water or do a private rental. Either way, you may be interested in the intricacies of a sailboat and its different parts. If this sounds like you, you have come to the right place. In this article, we go in-depth about the different parts of a sailboat so that you can be more knowledgeable about whatever boat you may choose and come away from reading this feeling more confident about the whole sailing experience.
The basic sailing boat is composed of at least twelve different parts: the hull, the keel, the rudder, the mast, the mainsail, the boom, the kicking strap (boom vang), the topping lift, the jib, the spinnaker, the genoa, the backstay, and the forestay. In this article, we will go in-depth about each part.
The Hull
In short, the hull is the watertight body of the ship or boat. There are different types of hulls that a sailboat may have, and these different hulls will often affect the speed and stability of the boat.
Displacement Hulls
Most sailboats have displacement hulls, like round-bottom hulls, which move through the water by pushing water aside and are designed to cut through the water with very little propulsion. The reason these are called displacement hulls is that if you lower the boat into the water, some of the water moves out of the way to adjust for the boat, and if you could weigh the displaced water, you would find that it equals the weight of the boat, and that weight is the boat’s displacement. One thing to know about displacement hulls is that boats with these hulls are usually limited to slower speeds.
Planing Hull
Another type of hull is the planing hull. These hulls are designed to rise and glide on top of the water when enough power is supplied. When there is not enough power behind the boat, these boats often act as displacement hulls, such as when a boat is at rest. However, they climb to the surface of the water as they begin to move faster. Unlike the round-bottom displacement hulls, these planing hulls will often have flat or V-shaped bottoms. These are very common with motor-driven water vessels, such as pontoon boats, but they can also be found on smaller sailboats which allow them to glide quickly over the water.
Sailboats can differ depending on the number of hulls they have. There are three options: monohulls (one hull), catamarans (two hulls), and trimarans (three hulls).
Monohulls, which have only a single hull, will usually be the typical round-bottom displacement hull or occasionally the flat-bottomed or V-shaped planning hull. Catamarans have two hulls with a deck or a trampoline in between, with the extra hulls providing increased stability. Finally, trimarans have three hulls — a main hull in the middle and two side hulls used for stability. These trimarans have gained popularity because of their excellent stability and ability to go at high speeds.
When evaluating a sailboat, it is important to pay attention to the type of hull that the boat has because the type of hull a sailboat has can drastically change the sailing experience, especially when it comes to stability and speed.
The Keel
All sailboats have a keel, a flat blade sticking down into the water from the sailboat’s hull bottom. It has several functions: it provides counterbalance, lift, controls sideways movement, holds the boat’s ballast, and helps prevent the boat from capsizing. When a boat leans from one side to the other, the keel and its ballast counteract the movement and prevent the boat from completely tipping over.
As with hulls, there are a number of different types of keels, though the two most common types of keels on recreational sailboats are the full keel or the fin keel. A full keel is larger than a fin keel and is much more stable. The full keel is generally half or more of the length of the sailboat. However, it is much slower than the fin keel. A fin keel, which is smaller than the full keel, offers less water resistance and therefore affords higher speeds.
A more recent feature on sailboats is the “winged keel,” which is short and shallow but carries a lot of weight in two “wings” that run sideways from the keel’s main part. Another more recent invention in sailing is the concept of the canting keels, which are designed to move the weight at the bottom of the sailboat to the upwind side. This invention allows the boat to carry more sails.
The Rudder
A rudder is the primary control surface used to steer a sailboat. A rudder is a vertical blade that is either attached to the flat surface of the boat’s stern (the back of the boat) or under the boat. The rudder works by deflecting water flow. When the person steering the boat turns the rudder, the water strikes it with increased force on one side and decreased force on the other, turning the boat in the direction of lower pressure.
On most smaller sailboats, the helmsman — the person steering the boat — uses a “tiller” to turn the rudder. The “tiller” is a stick made of wood or some type of metal attached to the top of the rudder. However, larger boats will generally use a wheel to steer the rudder since it provides greater leverage for turning the rudder, necessary for larger boats’ weight and water resistance.
The Mast
The mast of a sailboat is a tall vertical pole that supports the sails. Larger ships often have multiple masts. The different types of masts are as follows:
- The Foremast — This is the first mast near the bow (front) of the boat, and it is the mast that is before the mainmast.
- The Mainmast — This is the tallest mast, usually located near the ship’s center.
- The Mizzenmast — This is the third mast closest to the stern (back), immediately in the back of the mainmast. It is always shorter than the mainmast and is typically shorter than the foremast.
The Mainsail
The mainsail is the principal sail on a sailboat, and it is set on the backside of the mainmast. It is the main source that propels the boat windward.
The Boom
A boom is a spar (a pole made of wood or some other type of lightweight metal) along the bottom of a fore-and-aft rigged sail, which greatly improves the control of the angle and the shape of the sail, making it an indispensable tool for the navigation of the boat by controlling the sails. The boom’s primary action is to keep the foot (bottom) of the sail flatter when the sail angle is away from the centerline of the boat. This allows the sail to catch more wind and generate more power, enabling the boat to move faster.
The Kicking Strap (Boom Vang)
The kicking strap, also known as the boom vang, is a device used to control the boom’s angle concerning the mast. It is usually a combination of a rope or cable and a block-and-tackle system or a mechanical lever. The kicking strap is essential for controlling the shape of the sail when sailing downwind. It prevents the boom from rising, which would cause the mainsail to twist, reducing its efficiency.
The Jib
The jib is a triangular sail located at the front of the boat. It is set between the forestay and the mast. Jibs come in various sizes and shapes, and they help improve the boat’s performance, especially when sailing upwind. Jibs help balance the boat and reduce the pressure on the rudder, making steering easier.
The Spinnaker
The spinnaker is a large, lightweight sail designed for sailing downwind. It is often colorful and balloon-shaped, allowing it to catch a significant amount of wind. The spinnaker is set forward of the mast and is not attached to the forestay like the jib. It is held out by a spinnaker pole, which is connected to the mast and the bottom corner of the sail.
The Genoa
The genoa is a type of jib sail that is larger than a regular jib, overlapping the main sail. The genoa helps to generate more power from the wind, especially in lighter wind conditions. However, it can be more difficult to handle due to its size, and it may require additional crew members or equipment to manage efficiently.
The Backstay and Forestay
The backstay and forestay are wires or ropes that run from the top of the mast to the bow and stern of the boat. The forestay connects the mast’s top to the bow, while the backstay connects the mast’s top to the stern. They both help to support the mast, keeping it in an upright position. The tension in the backstay and forestay can be adjusted to control the mast’s bend, which in turn affects the shape of the sails and the boat’s performance.
Understanding the different parts of a sailboat will not only enhance your sailing experience but also help you feel more comfortable and confident on the water. Whether you are renting a sailboat from Malta Charters or planning to buy your own sailboat, having a solid grasp of these components will enable you to make informed decisions and enjoy your sailing adventures to the fullest.
