Sailing is a fun and enjoyable hobby. If you’ve been sailing for years, then you know the fun and the excitement that sailing can bring. If you are a beginner sailor, then you are just getting started in knowing the true joy that can come from having your sailboat out on the open water. If you are just beginning to get into sailing as a hobby, then knowing the types of sailboats out there might be useful. Below, we offer a sampling of the types of sailboats available.

The Sloop: The most common type of sailboat out there is called a Sloop. A Sloop is a small to midsize sailboat. The rig has one tall mast and two sails. There is a tall sail that is mounted to the mast and this is the main sail. The Sloop will have two sails.

Catboat: Where the Sloop has two sails, the Catboat will have one sail. The mast is generally positioned forward, which makes room for a main sail. The main sail in a Catboat is a traditional boom, which is usually a loose-fitted mainsail attached to the wishbone.

Ketch: Another popular sailboat for midsize boats is called a Ketch. This sailboat is very similar to the Sloop, only it has a second mast that is much smaller. This second mast is called the mizzenmast. The mizzenmast functions like a main sail.

Schooner: A Schooner has two masts that are positioned forward in the sailboat. The forward mast is smaller than the Ketch. Some more modern Schooners use a triangular sail, but traditional Schooner sailboats have gaff-rigged sails.

Sailing is a really fun hobby. Once you know the type of sailboats available, it will be easier to know what kind of sailboat works best for your lifestyle. Look over the list here and decide what kind of sailboat is for you.