maxi yacht mast height

Average Sailboat Mast Height

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

August 30, 2022

‍ Sailboat masts are known to be quite tall, but how tall do they get? The answer varies on rig type, boat size, and design attributes.

Small sailboats, under 20 feet in length, rarely have masts taller than 20 ft or shorter than 8 ft. Sailboats between 20 and 30 feet have masts up to 30 feet tall, and large 40+ foot sailboats often have masts that exceed 50 feet in height.

In this article, we'll cover the average mast height of various sailboats based on length, and we'll also provide a typical height range. Additionally, we'll compare mast height by rig type. Finally, we'll cover the benefits and disadvantages of tall and short masts.

We sourced the information used in this article from sailboat design guides and the sailing community. Additionally, we analyzed several boats from each length category to determine average mast heights.

Table of contents

‍ Why are Mast Heights Different?

If you spend enough time around marinas, you'll undoubtedly notice the numerous masts that tower high above seemingly minuscule boats. Some are tall and thin, some are short and fat—and many are somewhere in between. So why do sailboat mast heights differ so much?

There are a lot of factors that contribute to mast height, not the least of which is boat size. Obviously, boats need a sail plan proportionate to their length, beam, and displacement in order to be efficient. The type of sail plan varies based on what the boat is used for.

Different rigs use different mast heights, even if the boat underneath is exactly the same. Let's assume we have two identical 30-foot boats. One has a tall mast and a triangular Bermuda rig, while another has a shorter mast with a four-sided rig.

The four-sided sail has a much greater area per foot of height than the triangular sail, so the mast doesn't need to be quite as high. Additionally, shorter masts can be thicker and stay within the same weight limits as a taller mast, so they can be thicker and stronger.

Average Mast Height by Sailboat Length

Now, we'll look at the average mast heights of sailboats by their overall length. We're not considering rig type beyond the fact that the majority of modern sailboats are Bermuda-rigged sloops—we'll get into that later. Here are some averages based on popular sailboats.

As you can see, the average mast height is highly dependent on the length of a sailboat. Most vessels have triangular rigs, which require a taller mast. It also seems as though mast height isn't usually far from the overall length of the boat, at least on tall single-masted vessels.

Why do Racing Sailboats Have Tall Masts?

Racing sailboats are known for their crazy mast heights and long, thin sails. There's a very simple reason for this, and it has to do with efficiency and drag. A taller and thinner sail is much more efficient for speed than a shorter and fatter sail. The same goes with the dimensions of the hull, as fast boats tend to be long and slender.

The science behind sail design is ancient and fascinating. In the 21st century, where the boat market values speed and agility, tall masts with thin triangular rigs are becoming increasingly popular. Short-masted vessels, once a key component of working offshore, are more durable but less common.

Average Mast Height of Multi-Masted Sailboats

Having multiple masts has distinct advantages, especially for cruising. Multi-masted sailboats are some of the best offshore cruisers ever built, and they are also remarkably durable. One of the main benefits of having multiple masts is that it adds a level of redundancy and increases your ability to finely control the vessel.

Multi-masted sailboats almost always have shorter and thicker masts when compared to similar single-masted vessels. Sailboats with four-sided mainsails, such as many classical schooners, are a particularly extreme example of this.

Gaff-rigged schooner masts are significantly shorter than triangular rig masts, sometimes more than 10 to 20% shorter. It's often the case that these vessels have a topmast that can be raised or lowered to add a triangular topsail, further increasing the area of the large four-sided sail plan.

What Sailboat Rigs Have Tall Masts?

Bermuda rigged sailboats (also known as Marconi rigged sailboats) are the most common tall-masted boats. Triangular rigs are tall because their sail area decreases as it moves up the sail, so they make up for it by adding height.

Fully-rigged ships also have very tall masts. These are the traditional sailing ships that are quite literally called 'tall ships' in the sailing community. They have multiple sails on each mast when fully deployed, and they usually have three or more masts and multiple headsails.

What Sailboat Rigs Have Short Masts?

The gaff rig is a common and classic sailboat rig that uses traditionally shorter masts. The gaff rig uses a square mainsail, which has more lateral area than a triangular mainsail. These vessels often deploy a topsail with or without a mast extension called a topmast.

The lateen rig is also famously simple and short-masted. It uses a triangular sail with spars that fly at an angle to the mast. It is an ancient sailing rig that was extremely common in the early days of civilization, and it served workboats across the world for centuries.

Are Shorter Masts Stronger?

Short masts can be stronger, but they aren't always. It depends on the design of the craft and is more dependent on rig type than the size of the mast itself. The strongest masts are found on gaff-rigged vessels. They are usually short and thick and traditionally made of wood.

The strength of the mast isn't so important when everything is working properly. It begins to matter in the event of a failure, like a broken stay.

A gaff-rigged vessel with a typical mast has a good chance of surviving a snapped stay as the mast can support itself. A Bermuda-rigged vessel, more likely than not, could lose its mast immediately after the standing rigging goes down.

What are Masts Made Of?

Masts are made of many different materials. Traditionally, wood was the mast material of choice. It was strong and lasted a very long time if maintained. Through the production sailboat era, when boatbuilders switched from wood to fiberglass for hulls, sailboat masts were mostly made of aluminum.

Today's high-tech racing sailboats have many more options to choose from. Composite materials, such as carbon fiber, are increasingly common due to their astounding strength-to-weight ratio. Alloy masts are also fairly common. Steel masts exist, but their use is usually confined to small sailboats and dinghies.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Comanche – the 31.5m sailing superyacht built to win

Sailing superyacht Comanche is a boat that belongs at the front of the racing pack. Comanche _surprised everyone watching the Sydney Hobart race in December 2014 when the brand new 30.5 metre Hodgdon Yachts-built speed machine was pictured tearing along ahead of Sydney Hobart legend Wild Oats XI. It was an advantage that _Comanche was able to maintain all the way to the Bass Strait during the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart. But when 30-knot winds failed to materialise, the more slender Wild Oats XI slipped past Comanche and into the lead, a position she held all the way to Hobart for victory and her eighth line honours. Second place is never going to be good enough for Comanche ’s owner, software mogul Jim Clark, but it was a minor miracle his yacht was there at all. She was only launched in September 2014, so the famously brutal race represented a kind of masochistic shakedown for a yacht designed for just one thing – to win.

Comanche : built to win

Think Laser dinghy or 49er morphed with rocket ship and you’ll get some idea of the qualities of_ Comanche_. At the yard, the racer was partially hidden behind two larger yachts with immaculate pedigrees, _Meteor_ and Artemis , but Comanche ’s square bow and carbon sprit jutted out beyond them, drawing the eye away from the varnished teak of her neighbours to a lean sailing machine intended to go as fast as possible powered only by the wind.

Sailing legend Ken Read, who also happens to be the president of North Sails, managed the project from day one for Jim Clark. Built at Hodgdon Yachts in Maine, US, Comanche had a hand-picked design and engineering team of international experts. It also had a construction schedule that raised eyebrows from the first day Jim Clark talked to Boat International about the radical project during the America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta in San Francisco, September 2013.

Comanche launched one year later and after stepping the mast in Newport, Rhode Island, and just two weeks of sailing trials, including a 600-mile qualifying sail to Charleston, South Carolina, the boat was packed aboard a cargo ship and sent to Australia to compete in the Sydney Hobart, which starts each year on Boxing Day.

Jim Clark and his Australian wife, Kristy Hinze-Clark, met the boat in Sydney for its short re-commissioning, Hinze-Clark racing aboard Comanche in a harbour tune-up event on 9 December 2014, where the yacht placed second despite poor conditions. The tabloids had a field-day, captioning photos with, “The supermodel and the supermaxi” and “She’s got legs” in reference to Kristy Hinze-Clark’s modelling career. These days she is a businesswoman, director for the Australian Nature Conservancy and the mother of two girls.

Boat International speaks exclusively with Comanche ‘s owner, Jim Clark

In our exclusive interview with Jim Clark, shortly before the race begins, we ask simply: “Why?”

“It’s a hobby,” he says, “I like the supermaxis, they are like Volvo 60s on steroids.” Jim Clark appears to be done with the J Class and is not a huge fan of what he calls the “multihull phase” of the America’s Cup with its reduced crew numbers. “The old sailing community is in monohulls and it’s nice to keep the guys engaged – there are lots of good sailors in the supermaxis and the guys are a lot of fun.”

When Jim Clark decided on a supermaxi, his plan was to go for line honours rather than wins on corrected time, and speed/distance records that could be set for yachts with human powered winches. “I don’t want any of that record stuff with an asterisk that says push-button winches,” Jim Clark scoffs. With this target, Jim Clark and Ken Read embarked on a “design experiment” for a yacht that could sail 30 knots or more on a broad reach. The experiment pushed them to some extreme stats, which Jim Clark says were run through CFD tests and simulations time and again.

“The 25-foot (7.6 metre) beam saves weight,” Ken Read says. “By going wider, we can have less weight in the keel to keep the same righting moment, thus we will go faster.” This thinking is carried over into the keel itself, which is solid stainless steel and not welded. With a 6.7 metre draught, the keel can be two tonnes lighter than a comparable keel on a boat with half the draught. The governing factor was the depth of Rhode Island’s Newport harbour where the boat will be based when not chasing records. “With the keel canted to one side we can just get to our berth,” Read says.

The downside to beam is increased surface drag when sailing flat in light air. “Being considerably wider than other boats, we need to be heeling at 11 to 13 degrees to present the same beam,” says Jim Clark. “In light air, we are at a disadvantage. When the wind cooperates, there is no question the boat is explosive.”

Hodgdon, the oldest boatbuilding business in the US, might seem like an odd choice if you don’t know that part of the yard’s annual output is high-tech military vessels and another part is carbon fibre limo tenders. In fact, Hodgdon is quite skilled at innovative construction techniques and when Tim Hodgdon agreed to build an oven to cook Comanche ’s carbon fibre hull, the deal was struck. The yard’s location also made it a good gathering stop for its far-flung team.

Is_ Comanche_ too powerful to handle?

Some critics have said Comanche is too extreme and too powerful to handle, but Jim Clark just laughs at this and suggests we “ask Kenny”.

“Yeah, it’s still an unknown but I’m not overly concerned,” he adds. “The hull is well baked and it’s been ultrasounded and X-rayed. There is a fuse in some of the loads so that nothing super bad can happen. But you can’t have a fuse in the rigging… Some of those termination points on the rig are kind of scary,” Jim Clark says.

That rig, which rises 47 metres above the waterline, is more than 50 per cent of the length aft from the bow, a surprising configuration but based on model testing for best all-around performance with the foil and appendages.

Innovation through design

Also innovative on _Comanche _are the daggerboards outboard of the mast and slightly forward of it. By canting the keel and putting the lee side daggerboard fully down, the boat generates enough lift to keep the angle of leeway to a minimum or crab up to a mark.

Comanche ‘s wide cockpit, full of grinder pedestals, hydraulic sail controls and sophisticated LED panels, gives the impression of a workhouse with modern instruments of torture. In a way, that is what they are. Grinders will work these six pedestals to turn the Harken winches. The only push-button winch on board is used to raise the mainsail. Once that sail is up the halyard is locked off and the winch isn’t used.

The winch pedestals are set slightly inboard and Read explains that when sailing on other 30 metre yachts he found that waves coming inboard at 30 knots or so would sweep the helmsman or winch grinders off their feet. “I have fetched up in the corner of the cockpit with pieces of steering wheel in my hands,” he says. Thus, by having 10 feet more beam than other 30 metre boats, there is space to put people and gear in a safer location with the added benefit of space for sails to be temporarily stored outboard of the pedestals on the high side.

Another interesting option is set right into the deck. Small black plugs cover screw holes that allow a dodger to cover both hatches. “On long distance races, we wanted the option to erect a dodger to keep the crew safe when on deck,” Read says. A slot in the cockpit sole just aft of the dodger allows the steering wheel to be moved forward, allowing the helmsman to stand behind the dodger for more protection.

Step below and you can see how much weight has been saved on Comanche . The single-skin carbon fibre hull and foam cored framing is fully exposed. It is mostly black with white non-skid patches. The forward end of the vessel is totally open, to store sails. Directly under the cockpit on either side are the crew berths, which keep the crew centre of gravity aft, close to the position they would be in when on deck; thus the trim of the yacht is not affected by off-watch crew moving around.

Directly under the cockpit sole is the navigator’s area with barely space to sit up. “The only requirement that navigator Stan Honey had was that we made the navigator’s seat 1.8 metres long so that he didn’t have to fight the crew for a berth,” Read says.

Talking to Read one gets a sense he is completely at ease with a project of this magnitude and the commitment it will take to sail Comanche to her potential. He has sailed around the world with several of his present crew and all had input into the new yacht’s design. That counts for a lot of experience, in addition to the French design team of Guillaume Verdier and VPLP (Marc Van Peteghem and Vincent Lauriot-Prévost). “Without the designers we would probably have built a far more conservative boat,” Read says, “but with their help we have taken a leap forward.”

On deck, Comanche is also radically different. All halyards go to the masthead, where they are locked off in the same style that was pioneered in the 12 Metre Class. But on Comanche , tension is applied on the sail luff by hydraulic rams mounted on the foredeck and by pulling on the sail at the tack. “It reduces weight aloft,” Read explains, “and allows complete sail adjustment from the [safety of the] cockpit.”

Another advanced feature not often seen on smaller craft is that the jib tracks run transversely instead of fore and aft. “The clews for each headsail are in the same place and we might use the same sail for going hard to windward and when easing off onto a reach. With this arrangement all we need do is ease the track car to leeward when coming onto a reach. This enables us to keep power on without altering the shape of the sail when changing course relative to the wind,” Read notes.

The deck-stepped carbon fibre mast has swept spreaders to eliminate the need for adjustable running backstays. In some ways this is a disadvantage in that the masthead cannot be moved fore and aft when sailing up and downwind, but it eliminates the need for checkstays and runners. The masthead position is controlled with backstays to each corner of the transom and lines that are led into the mast from the backstays to control the rig bend.

“I started this boat thinking I could race it,” says Jim Clark wistfully. A degenerative condition in his ankles that makes standing uncomfortable has recently cropped up in his wrists as well. “They made a seat for me where I can drive it,” he says, but he opted out of the Sydney Hobart to make room for America’s Cup-winning skipper Jimmy Spithill to assist Read on the helm.

“I feel confident we’ll start getting line honours and next summer we’ll do the transatlantic race and see how that goes,” promises Jim Clark. “I’m optimistic.”

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Published on December 23rd, 2014 | by Editor

Comanche: Designer notes

Published on December 23rd, 2014 by Editor -->

Designers Guillaume Verdier and VPLP Architects provide notes on the 100-foot Comanche… Launched in September 2014, Comanche resulted from the studies realised on the Macif and Banque Populaire IMOCA 60 monohulls, who finished first and second in the 2012 Vendée Globe.

What distinguishes her from her 100-foot competitors, such as Wild Oats or Perpetual Loyal, is her great beam, her high mast which is placed very far aft, and her boom perpendicular to the transom.

Comanche is a virtually narrow boat; she is made to sail heeled thanks to the appendages’ plan. As such, she enjoys a high fineness ratio sail plan. Inside, the structure is optimized to make the boat more resistant to damage. The cockpit was designed bearing in mind manual manoeuvres to gain weight.

Guillaume Verdier: “Comanche is not just an object, it is the result of a great collaboration with skipper Ken Read, the Tim Hacket / Casey Smith team, and the boat builder Brandon Linton. We all enjoyed working on this project. It was a positive and constructive collaboration: every mistake or difficulty was an opportunity to bounce back and find new ideas.”

Vincent Lauriot-Prévost: “After the IMOCAs, this was our first exercise in the 100 footer monohull category. As light as possible, as strong as possible, such was the equation we shared with Guillaume Verdier. Her very powerful hull, her maximum draught to enter most marinas, her low freeboard height and side water ballasts make her the most powerful ship in the 100 footer fleet.”

During the Solas Big Boat Challenge, on December 9th in Sydney Harbour, Comanche’s first confrontation with her Sydney Hobart contestants revealed all the boat’s potential in light conditions.

Ken Read, the skipper, after the Solas: “We were very pleased with how the boat went upwind, we could not have been happier with how Comanche went. She was designed to do exactly the opposite of what we had today. This boat is a beast. Do we know how it will handle (the tough conditions off the New South Wales coast and Bass Strait), will it stay in one piece? We have no idea.”

Jim Clark, the boat’s owner, will present Comanche at the start of the Sydney Hobart on December 26th. Ken Read, the skipper, and his 28 crew members will aim for line honours for this boat who’s more dedicated to records and speed. After the Sydney Hobart, Comanche should tackle the crewed Transatlantic Record, currently held by Mari Cha IV.

Shipyard: Hodgdon Yachts, Maine, USA Length: 30.45 m Approx. Beam: 8 m Draught: 6.80 m Clearance: 47 m Upwind sail area: 760 m2 Downwind sail area: 1100 m2 Displacement: under 30 tonnes

Design – Collaboration: Guillaume Verdier & VPLP Guillaume Verdier Architecture Navale: Romaric Neyhousser / Benjamin Muyl / Hervé Penfornis and Guillaume Verdier VPLP Design: Philibert Chesnay / Xavier Guilbaud / Simon Watin / Daniele Capua and Vincent Lauriot Prevost Skipper: Ken Read, assisted by Casey Smith and Tony mutter Boat’s Owner : Jim Clark

Associated to project Len Imas assisted by Romain Garo – computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Pure Office – double structure check Sail designers, managed by JB Braun Jamie France and Thia Win – Daggerboard systems Gianni Cariboni engineering office – hydraulics Refraschini engineering office – Daggerboards, keel and bulb Southern Spars engineering office Jon Williams – Winches Hasso Hoffmeister – Germanisher Lloyd check Martin Prince – Model basin.

Additional information

Tags: Comanche , Guillaume Verdier , Ken Read , VPLP

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How Tall Are Sailboat Masts? 9 Examples

The mast height of a sailboat varies with every model.

So what determines the height of a mast?

Here’s How Tall Sailboat Masts Are:

As a general rule of thumb, the height of a boat’s mast will be somewhere between 1.25 to 1.35 times the boat’s length, for an average of about 1.3 times the length overall (LOA) of the boat. An aspect of 2.5 or lower will be a low-aspect rig; above that is considered a high-aspect ratio.

Table of Contents

Understanding a Sailboat’s Mast and Rig

Sailboats are driven through the water by the power generated by their sails.

This is done using sail area. Sail area is calculated using the height of the mast and the length of the boom.

The battens, long strips of wood inserts in the sail, allow more sail area as they extend beyond a straight line from the head of the mast to the back of the boom, thus allowing more cloth to be carried.

Keep in mind that the mast height does not equal the luff length of the main; there is a distance between the deck and the top of the boom.

Most mains do not go all the way to the top of the boom mast.

Wind Gradient:

Designers are also aware of the wind gradient, meaning that as the wind blows over the water, the surface causes drag.

So the breeze is stronger the higher you get off of the surface.

Taller masts allow you to reach these stronger winds.

Mast Height:

While mast height is a prime determinant in the area, it is also possible to make a mast too tall so that the boat is always in danger of taking a knockdown.

Note there are some performance boats designed with masts that are too tall for the craft’s weight, assuming that the weight of the crew will balance out the sail area.

One thing to bear in mind here is a rig’s aspect ratio: this is determined by dividing the designed sail’s luff length by the length of the foot. An aspect of 2.5 or lower will be a low-aspect rig; above that is considered a high-aspect ratio.

Higher aspect boats perform better upwind; lower aspect ratios generally are more powerful in other wind conditions and are usually easier to control.

What’s the Average Height of Sailboat Masts?

Sailboats can range from 6 feet to a hundred or more feet in length if you throw out the multi-masted sailing ships of old.

The mast height for every single one is different.

The height of a mast is usually carefully calculated by figuring the amount of power needed to move a certain hull shape and weight through the water. In many cases, in the 1960s through the 1980s, some designers went by feel.

A few boatbuilders would use the same mast across several of their models to save money in some cases.

As a general rule of thumb, the height of a boat’s mast will be somewhere between 1.25 to 1.35 times the boat’s length, for an average of about 1.3 times the length overall (LOA) of the boat.

So, if you were going to average the mast heights of all 20-foot boats, you’d have about a 26-foot high mast and about 39 feet on 30-foot boats.

Boats built solely for cruising, particularly in offshore winds, will have shorter masts, and performance boats will have taller masts.

How do you Determine the Height of a Sailboat Mast?

Several factors determine a sailboat’s mast height.

A performance boat will have a higher aspect ratio for its sails and thus have a taller mast. Cruising boats will generally have smaller masts for the same length of the boat.

A wider and heavier boat than another boat will need more power to move it, so it will usually have a taller mast. If this heavy boat is a low-aspect-ratio rig designed for offshore work, it will probably have a comparably shorter mast for ease of handling in higher winds.

Conversely, a racing boat will be lighter but still have a taller mast to generate maximum power upwind.

Boats built for maximum performance will have very tall masts for their length and be very difficult to handle for an inexperienced crew – and sometimes for a trained, experienced crew as well, as the difficulties some of America’s Cup boats encounter demonstrate.

• The Melges 24 is a performance racer with a mast height of 31.4 feet for a head-to-head comparison. Her mainsail’s luff length is 28.92 feet, and the foot is 12.45 feet; she is a high-aspect-ratio boat.
• The Islander 24 has a mast height of 28.82, so it is 2 and 1/2 feet shorter than our Melges. The main’s luff length is 25.75 feet, and the foot is 11.52, for a low aspect ratio and much smaller main.
• The Islander 24 weighs 4,200 pounds, while the Melges 24 weighs less than 1,800 pounds.

How Tall is the Mast on a 40 ft Sailboat?

If a yawl or other rig with multiple masts, it will have shorter masts than a sloop.

If the boat is a fractional rig with a small foretriangle, like a modern high-aspect-ratio Hunter, the mast will be taller than another sloop of the same length:

• The old Tartan 40, an all-around great Sparkman & Stevens design from 1984, has a 51-foot mast. This is a classic racer/cruiser.
• The Nordic 40, designed around the same time, has a 52-foot mast.
• The Canadian-built C&C Crusader, designed in 1968, has a mast of 48 feet, but their later Mark 2 designs have masts of 53 to 55 feet in height.

These are all sloops. Ketch and yawl rigs will have masts shorter than this, as the smaller mizzens provide power (and helm balance).

So, this shows us that mast heights will fall into a range for any given length of the boat, again depending on other factors such as its function (primarily racing or cruising).

What is the Optimal Height of a Sailboat Mast?

As specified earlier, the designed height of a mast for any given sailboat generally falls between 1.25 and 1.35 times its length overall (as opposed to its waterline length).

The optimal height will be based on the designer’s calculations of the sail area and aspect ratio needed for the boat’s intended purpose. Beyond the simple racing/cruising divide, there are inshore and offshore cruisers and casual and serious racers.

Inshore cruising boats will generally be designed for maximum safety, and the mast height may be less than 1.25 times the length. Offshore cruisers may also be divided into casual and serious distance cruisers; a boat designed for better offshore cruising performance will have a taller mast.

It is unusual to find many cruising boats with a higher ratio than 1.3, however.

Racing boats will usually have a 1.35 ratio, though it can be as high as 1.5 or even higher at the extremes of the sport.

The mast height for America’s Cup AC50, a 50-foot catamaran, is 77 feet.

How Tall is the Tallest Sailboat Mast?

Two boats are currently competing for the title of having the world’s tallest mast.

Mirabella 5, now named M5 and launched in 2003, is the largest single-masted yacht ever built at 294 feet long.

Her mast is over 290 feet high.

The boom is nearly 90 feet in length. The mainsail has an area of 16,000 square feet! Her reacher (a large, light-weight genoa with some characteristics of a spinnaker), at 20,600 square feet, is the world’s largest sail.

The White Pearl, the world’s largest sailing yacht at nearly 350 feet, was launched in 2014. She has three carbon-fiber wing-style masts that are a little more than 90 meters high.

This puts the masts for the two yachts within a few feet of each other, though White Pearl gets the nod.

References:

Masts – Wikipedia

Sloops – Sailboat Cruising

World’s Tallest Carbon Fiber Masts

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Scallywag First to Finish Transatlantic

• By James Boyd
• Updated: July 8, 2019

Lee Seng Huang’s 100-foot maxi SHK Scallywag entered the history books by winning line honors in the Transatlantic Race 2019. This accolade continues a prestigious, ancient lineage started by James Gordon Bennett Jr.’s Henrietta in 1866 and since including Charlie Barr on Wilson Marshall’s record setting three-masted schooner Atlantic in 1905 to a century later, Robert Miller’s Mari Cha IV, winner of the Rolex Transatlantic Race in 2005. The New York Yacht Club organized the first race in 1866 and this year was joined by the Royal Yacht Squadron, Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Storm Trysail Club.

The Andy Dovell-designed maxi crossed the Royal Yacht Squadron line off Cowes with a passage time of 10 days, 2 hours, 13 minutes and 19 seconds. Skippered by David Witt, the Australian now living in Hong Kong, SHK Scallywag ‘s crew included Anniemeike Bes (Haarlem, the Netherlands), Lucas Chapman (The Junction, Australia), Tom Clout (Sydney, Australia), Nick Crones (Sydney, Australia), Pete Cumming (Warsash, U.K.), Ian Flemming (Hong Kong), Ferdinand Galleta (Bauang, Philippines), Alex Gough (Brisbane, Australia), Jack Mcartney (Paddington, Australia), Ben Piggott (Thirrol, Australia), Trystan Seal (Cilcennin, Wales), Miles Seddon (Lymington, U.K.) and Charlie Wyatt (Brisbane, Australia).

If there were any records for this year’s race it was for the slow pace as the leaders found themselves having to take dramatic detours to avoid windless high-pressure systems. In the race’s last edition in 2015 Jim and Kristy Clarke’s 100-foot maxi Comanche won line honors in 7 days, 11 hours, and 35 minutes, and that was also considered a relatively slow race.

For skipper Witt, a modern-day Samuel Samuels (Gordon Bennett’s skipper in 1866), the concern was making it across. “It comes with some relief. At one point it didn’t look like we were going to make it,” Witt said.

Shortly after rounding A3, the southeastern-most point of the Point Alpha ice exclusion zone, SHK Scallywag found herself nailed by prolonged gale force winds. As British navigator Miles Seddon describes: “The sea state wasn’t that bad, it was probably 2 to 2.5 meters (six to eight feet) with the occasional 3-meter wave (nine feet), but we just got caught too close to the center of the low, between the cold front closing up on the warm front. The forecast was for 25 knots max and we were prepared for gusts of probably 32, but there we were, sailing along in 42. In 42 knots things are flying around the boat and you end up on the back foot because things get damaged.”

The crew couldn’t reef the mainsail beyond the second reef point because a bolt at the top of the towering, 41-meter (134-foot) mast had started to protrude and was preventing the crew from reducing sail beyond the second reef point.

“A $3 bolt almost destroyed a $3 million mainsail,” Witt said.

Under normal circumstances they might have turned and run with the gale to reduce apparent wind, but this would have taken them into the ice exclusion zone. “We were on the ice gate, it was like being pinned to a lee shore,” observed Witt.

Unwilling to retire, all they could do in the circumstances was to go into survival mode and sail with the main feathering until the severe winds passed. Thus, the SHK Scallywag crew battened down hatches, left two people on deck and rather than follow the big wind, let them move away. According to Witt the gale force winds lasted for almost 18 hours, but it was almost another three days before the wind had reduced enough, to 10 to 12 knots, for them safely to haul someone to the top of the giant spar and release the sail.

“It has been good for us,” Witt said generally of his Transatlantic Race 2019 experience. “The biggest problem with a 100-footer is reliability. The 70s [he refers to their competition, the VO70 Wizard , which previously won the Volvo Ocean Race as Groupama 4] have been around the world. The longest race 100-footers typically do is the Sydney to Hobart, which is 600 miles.” The Transatlantic Race 2019 was by far SHK Scallywag ‘s longest race to date.

During the big winds SHK Scallywag also damaged her largest jib, the J1 when it was washed overboard while hanked on. This incident also destroyed some of the forward stanchions. According to Seddon they also took some waves that caused their tracker to become water-logged and inoperable and they also temporarily wiped out their satellite communications, although they subsequently managed to repair this.

Once back up to speed SHK Scallywag was able to make good use of the conditions prior to negotiating the top of the high pressure. In this period their top 24-hour run was 505 miles.

Witt paid tribute to the Wizard crew, who against expectation (due to having a 30-foot shorter boat) led for the majority of the Transatlantic Race 2019. “They will win under IRC and they deserve to win that. You have to realize that in 40-plus knots, you’d much rather be on a VO70. We were lucky we didn’t give up. It was only when the breeze dropped that we could catch up,” said Witt.

For Seddon, this year’s slow race came after a comparatively rip-roaring ride across four years ago on the 70-foot trimaran Phaedo in a time of just over seven days. “It is very nice to be here,” he said upon finishing. “It felt like it went on for longer than eternity! We tried to throw it away a few times. It was beautiful sailing conditions to begin with, heinous survival mode in the middle and playing catch up again. It was certainly a long one.”

Back up in fighting mode, SHK Scallywag eventually passed Wizard for a second time approaching the Scilly Isles and then basked in the light upwind conditions of the last 48 hours when they could make full use of their towering sail plan and their waterline length advantage.

SHK Scallywag dealt with an ultra-light-wind English Channel and its present strong tides remarkably well. “The only time we got slowed down was between Portland Bill and Anvil Point,” explained Seddon. “The change of tide killed the wind and the cloud cover stopped the sea breeze from developing. So we had to wait, anchor at the ready.” In fact in the half hour it took for them to ready the anchor, the first signs of a new breeze filling in were already evident.

This afternoon there was enough wind to get them through Hurst Narrows at the western end of the Solent despite their having to punch into 4.5 knots of adverse current. “In 8 to 10 knots of wind we are doing 13 knots through the water, so it didn’t affect us too badly. We knew we’d get through it,” said Seddon.

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A pocket guide to the J Class yachts – the world’s most elegant racing fleet

• Toby Hodges
• March 19, 2017

Toby Hodges profiles the world's most beautiful fleet of classic racing yachts – the J Class

Shamrock V – JK3

J Class yacht Shamrock sailplan

LOA: 36.50m /119ft 9in · LWL: 26.7m/87ft 7in · Beam: 6.00m/19ft 8in · Disp: 166 tonnes

Original lines: Charles E Nicholson

Modified design: Dykstra Naval Architects

Launch year and yard: 1930, Camper & Nicholsons

Identifying features: The only wooden J and the smallest. Dark green hull with bronze deck fittings.

Current state: She has just had a refit in Palma after a long period under her past owner chartering, cruising and occasional racing.

Race prediction:Her smaller size means she will struggle against the other J Class yachts in real time – but she has the most experienced skipper and her recent mods are all aimed at making her competitive on handicap.

Skipper: Simon Lacey · Race Helmsman: Mike ‘Moose’ Sanderson

Photo: J Class Association / Gerhard Standop

Velsheda – JK7

J Class yacht Velsheda sailplan

LOA: 39.25m/128ft 9in · LWL: 27.8m/91ft 3in · Beam: 6.57m/21ft 7in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 1933, Camper & Nicholsons. Rebuilt by Southampton Yacht Services in 1997.

Identifying features: Dark blue hull, pinched transom and that iconic sharp J bow.

Current state: Continually optimised and very well prepared.

Race prediction: Highly experienced, well-gelled crew and a yacht that is looking particularly nimble and aggressive at the start. Despite surrendering size to the modern J Class yachts she’s a firm favourite to win any regatta.

Skipper: Barney Henshaw-Depledge · Race helmsman: Owner-driver

Helen Fretter goes racing on board J Class yacht Velsheda

Photo: J Class Association / Onne van der Wal

Endeavour – JK4

J Class yacht Endeavour sailplan

LOA: 39.31m/128ft 12in · LWL: 27.30m/89ft 7in · Beam: 6.68m/21ft 11in · Disp: 175 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 1934, Camper & Nicholson. Relaunched by Royal Huisman in 1989.

Identifying features: Royal ‘Endeavour Blue’ hull, clean deck, single deckhouse.

Current state: Completely refitted by Yachting Developments in 2010-11. Based between Palma and Cascais she is for sale through Edmiston and in prize condition.

Race prediction: Fully optimised and race ready, but is up for sale and now already unlikely to be ready in time for Bermuda.

Skipper: Luke Bines · Race helmsman: N/A (Torben Grael in 2012)

Video exclusive: what it’s like to sail the iconic J Class Endeavour

Photo: J Class Association / Jens Fischer

Ranger – J5

J Class yacht Ranger sailplan

LOA: 41.63m/136ft 7in · LWL: 28.80m/94ft 6in · Beam: 6.41m/21ft 0in · Disp: 203 tonnes

Original design: Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens

Modified design: Studio Scanu, Reichel Pugh, Fred Elliot and Dykstra Naval Architects

Launch year and yard: 2003, Danish Yacht

Identifying features: White hull with snub nose and spoon bow.

Current state: Refitted and optimised at Newport Shipyard 2016, where chainplates were moved forward and tracks modified to take a bigger headsail.

Race prediction: The heaviest J, but a rocket in flat water, such as in Bermuda’s Great Sound. A veteran crew whose consistency is Ranger’s trump card.

Skipper: Dan Jackson · Race helmsman: Erle Williams

Ranger J5 – the first completely new J Class yacht

Ranger , J5 RYS centenary 2015. Photo Paul Wyeth

Rainbow – JH2

J Class yacht Rainbow sailplan

LOA: 39.89m/130ft 11in · LWL: 26.90m/88ft 3in · Beam: 6.42m/21ft 1in · Disp: 167 tonnes

Original lines: William Starling Burgess

Launch year and yard: 2012, Holland Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Black hull, red bottom and modern grey rig with race boom.

Current state: Sold in 2015 by Chris Gongriep, the former owner of Holland Jachtbouw, she has since solely been used for cruising by her US owner who shows no signs of wanting to race, although she will be in Bermuda to watch.

Race prediction: Was cruised and raced extensively for a couple of seasons after she was built and has proven to be a supremely fast boat for her size in the right hands.

J Class yacht Rainbow – the Dutch destroyer

Hanuman – JK6

J Class yacht Hanuman sailplan

LOA: 42.19m/138ft 5in · LWL: 27.50m/90ft 3in · Beam: 6.60m/21ft 8in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Launch year and yard: 2009 Royal Huisman

Identifying features: Carries the old Endeavour II sail number JK6 – but a totally modern day reinterpretation of Sopwith’s second boat, built in aluminium.

Current state: Her weight and stability were optimised at Newport Shipyard in 2016 and she was also fitted with a new mast and rigging, plus a new furling headstay.

Race prediction: With her same core Comanche/Puma crew and Ken Read on the wheel, this is a highly race-oriented J Class yacht.

Skipper: Greg Sloat · Race helmsman: Ken Read

Inside J class yacht Hanuman

Lionheart JH1

J Class yacht Lionheart sailplan

LOA: 43.4m/142ft 5in · LWL 27.2m/89ft 3in · Beam: 6.55m/21ft 6in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Starling Burgess and Olin Stephens

Modified design: Hoek Design

Launch year and yard: 2010, Bloemsma and Claasen Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Black hull and rig, bulwarks giving a high freeboard effect, two deckhouses.

Current state: Constantly upgraded, Lionheart has new North raw sails with plans to build more sails before Bermuda.

Race prediction: Lionheart is consistently optimised, has some key pros and a fantastic crew spirit. Should be finishing in the top three in Bermuda.

Skipper: Toby Brand · Race helmsman: Owner-driver · Tactics: Bouwe Bekking

J Class yacht Lionheart J/H1 – replica of an original that was never built

Photo: J Class Association / Thierry Martinez

J Class yacht Topaz sailplan

LOA: 42.7m/140ft 1in · LWL: 27.8m/91ft 3in · Beam: 6.75m/22ft 2in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Frank Paine

Launch year and yard: 2015, Holland Jachtbouw

Identifying features: Longest waterline of all the Js (for which there is a sail area penalty) she has a striking Art Deco interior and a dark blue hull with turquoise antifoul.

Current state: New and raring to go.

Race prediction: With her fuller volume forward, longer waterline and shorter keel, Hoek believes she will be the fastest J Class downwind and in light airs. The crew has practised hard since last year and now has top big boat helm in Holmberg.

Skipper: Romke Lopik · Race helmsman: Peter Holmberg

New J Class yacht named Topaz is launched – and the design team says she is “absolutely stunning”

Photo: J Class Association / Carlo Borlenghi

J Class yacht Svea sailplan

LOA: 43.6m/143ft 1in · LWL: 27.6m/90ft 7in · Beam: 6.65m/21ft 10in · Disp: 180 tonnes

Original lines: Tore Holm

Launch year and yard: 2017, Bloemsma / Vitters

Identifying features: Dark grey metallic hull, near flush ultra-clean, ergonomically optimised deck with low single doghouse and huge 8ft diameter wheel that turns in a well that extends down to the keel frames.

Current state: Just launched.

Race prediction: Tore Holm was a gifted Metre designer and Svea looks like a fast upwind boat, with a race oriented deck design and a slippery underwater shape. It’s asking a lot of her crew to be competitive for 2017.

Skipper: Paul ‘PK’ Kelly

Race helmsman: Owner driver

Nine Js and counting: J Class Svea J-S1 is sold and under construction at Vitters

The history of the J-Class

The Js are inextricably linked with the America’s Cup as, barring Velsheda , all were built for the purpose of America’s Cup racing. From 1929 to 1937, 20 J Class yachts were designed. Ten of these went on to be built, with six racing in the America’s Cup finals. A modern J Class yacht’s  lines can only be taken from the original designs, ensuring the fleet’s look endures.

• Length : 6.5m/21ft
• Beam : : 3m
• Weight : 950kg
• Draft : 1.6m
• Air draft : 10m
• Sail area upwind : 44m2
• Sail area downwind : 115m2
• Sail ratio/weight : 1.2
• Number of sails : 7

What to know more about the mini 650 class?

The Mini 6.50 Class is divided into production boats and the prototypes.

Some rules are common to all boats: 6.5m LOA max, 3m beam max, no communication, etc.

Prototypes are allowed to have daggerboard, canting keels, ballasts, carbon mast…etc. The mast is also a bit taller (11m instead of 10m for the production boats), the keel a bit lower (2m instead of 1,6m).

Let me introduce you to Kiraucassis.

She is a Maxi 650 from IDB Marine shipyards in France.

She is 6.5m (21ft) of raw power, built to cross oceans really (really) fast, single-handedly.

On my first day test sailing her, we would already reach 17+kts

She has a rounded bow, a design called "scow".

Many say it’s ugly, some love this… in my opinion, it makes her faster than the competition when reaching and downwind… that’s all I’m asking for.

Find out more about the design in my vlog.

the next boat to race single-handed across the Atlantic?

My next project is to race the Mini Transat, a race across the Atlantic single-handed on a one-design fleet.

The Mini 6.50 class is an incubator for innovation. Most of the technology and design concepts you find today in the IMOCA class have first been tested (and crash-tested) on a mini.

I chose to go for a scow, more powerful and stable downwind, the Maxi 650, from IDB marine, see more specs  here.

Can’t wait to get on the water with this new toy to see what it can give. Until then, have a look at the surfs these tiny offshore beasts are capable of.

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Sailboat Mast Height Calculator

Mast Height: ${mastHeight} feet

Please enter valid boat length and waterline height.

How tall should a mast be on a sailboat?

The height of the mast on a sailboat depends on the boat’s size, design, and purpose. Generally, a sailboat’s mast height is determined to provide enough clearance for sails and rigging, while also ensuring stability and performance. Larger sailboats typically have taller masts to support larger sail areas.

How do you find the height of the mast?

The height of the mast can be measured by physically climbing up the mast and using a measuring tape or a halyard with markings. Alternatively, you can refer to the sailboat’s specifications or user manual, which usually includes the mast height information.

How tall is the mast on a 50-foot sailboat?

The mast height on a 50-foot sailboat can vary depending on the specific model and design. As a rough estimate, the mast height of a 50-foot sailboat might be around 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters) above the waterline.

How do you measure a sailboat mast?

To measure a sailboat mast, you can use a measuring tape or a halyard with markings. Climb up the mast and lower the halyard to the base, marking the point where it touches the deck. Then, hoist the halyard to its maximum height, and measure the distance between the base and the highest point to find the mast height.

How tall were masts on old sailing ships?

Masts on old sailing ships varied in height depending on the type and size of the vessel. For example, the mainmast on large ships like the famous clipper ships of the 19th century could reach over 100 feet (30 meters) above the waterline.

What is the best wave height for sailing?

The best wave height for sailing depends on the sailboat’s size, design, and the experience level of the sailors. Generally, most sailors prefer waves between 2 to 6 feet (0.6 to 1.8 meters) for enjoyable and manageable sailing. However, this can vary, and some sailors may seek larger waves for more challenging experiences.

How tall is a 12-meter mast?

A 12-meter mast is approximately 39 feet in height.

What is the formula for calculating height?

The formula for calculating height (h) depends on the context and available information. In general, for a right-angled triangle, you can use the Pythagorean theorem: h² = a² + b², where ‘h’ is the height and ‘a’ and ‘b’ are the other two sides of the triangle.

What is collapsed mast height?

The collapsed mast height refers to the height of the sailboat’s mast when it is lowered or retracted. This measurement is essential for determining whether the sailboat can pass under certain bridges or obstacles with restricted vertical clearance.

Can one person sail a 50-foot sailboat?

Yes, it is possible for one person to sail a 50-foot sailboat, especially if the boat is equipped with modern sailing systems like roller furling, electric winches, and autopilot. However, handling a sailboat of this size alone can be challenging and may require significant experience and skill.

Can you solo sail a 50-ft sailboat?

Yes, experienced sailors can solo sail a 50-ft sailboat. However, it’s important to have proper training, knowledge, and equipment to handle the boat safely and effectively.

How tall is the mast on an Oceanis 50?

The mast height on a Beneteau Oceanis 50 sailboat is approximately 63 feet (19 meters) above the waterline.

What sailing yacht has the tallest mast?

The tallest mast on a sailing yacht can vary, as some custom-built yachts may have exceptionally tall masts. As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the yacht “A” (also known as “Sailing Yacht A”), owned by Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko, was known for having one of the tallest masts in the world, reaching around 328 feet (100 meters) above the waterline.

What is the world’s tallest mast sailboat?

As of my last update in September 2021, “Sailing Yacht A” (Yacht “A”), owned by Andrey Melnichenko, was known for having one of the world’s tallest masts, reaching approximately 328 feet (100 meters) above the waterline.

How tall are masts on a Brigantine?

A Brigantine is a type of two-masted sailing vessel. The height of the masts on a Brigantine can vary, but on average, the mainmast could be around 80 to 120 feet (24 to 37 meters), and the foremast slightly shorter.

How tight should sailboat stays be?

The tension of sailboat stays (shrouds and stays) is essential for maintaining the integrity and stability of the mast. The tension should be adjusted according to the sailboat manufacturer’s recommendations or specifications. Typically, stays should be tightened enough to prevent excessive mast movement and deformation but not overly tight to risk damaging the mast or rigging.

What size sailboat to live on?

The size of the sailboat one chooses to live on depends on personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle. Some people comfortably live aboard smaller sailboats, around 30 to 40 feet, while others may prefer larger boats with more living space.

What do you call a sailboat with two masts the same height?

A sailboat with two masts of the same height is commonly referred to as a “ketch.”

What is a 3-masted sailboat called?

A sailboat with three masts is commonly called a “three-masted ship” or a “ship-rigged vessel.”

How tall are USS Constitution masts?

USS Constitution, a famous American frigate launched in 1797, has three masts with heights of approximately 204 feet (62 meters) for the mainmast, 198 feet (60 meters) for the foremast, and 152 feet (46 meters) for the mizzenmast.

What is a ship with 5 masts called?

A ship with five masts is known as a “five-masted ship.”

What is an unsafe height of a wave?

The height of a wave can be considered unsafe depending on various factors, including the size and design of the vessel, weather conditions, and the experience of the crew. Generally, waves higher than 10 feet (3 meters) can be hazardous for smaller boats and inexperienced sailors.

Are 3-foot seas rough?

Three-foot seas are considered moderate waves. They might be challenging for very small boats, but for most sailboats and larger vessels, they are generally manageable and not considered rough.

What size wave can capsize a boat?

The wave size that can capsize a boat depends on the boat’s stability, design, and handling. Small boats with low stability can capsize with waves as low as 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 1 meter), while larger and more stable vessels can handle much larger waves without capsizing.

What is a tall mast?

A tall mast refers to a mast that extends to a significant height above the waterline on a sailboat. The height can vary depending on the boat’s size and design.

How tall can a mast be without guy wires?

The height of a mast without guy wires (also known as stays or shrouds) is limited by its structural strength and stability. In general, for a single unsupported mast, the practical height without guy wires is around 60 to 70 feet (18 to 21 meters) for a well-designed sailboat.

How high can a service mast be?

The height of a service mast, which provides electrical connections to a building, can vary depending on local building codes and regulations. In some places, service masts may be allowed up to a height of 12 to 20 feet (3.6 to 6 meters) above the ground level.

What is the most accurate height calculator?

There are various accurate height calculators available online and in mobile applications that use advanced algorithms and laser-based technology for measuring height.

What is the formula for calculating maximum height?

The formula for calculating maximum height varies depending on the context. In general, for projectile motion, the maximum height (H) reached by an object can be calculated using the formula: H = (V^2 * sin^2θ) / (2 * g), where V is the initial velocity, θ is the launch angle, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

What is the formula for the greatest height reached?

The formula for calculating the greatest height reached is the same as the formula for calculating maximum height in projectile motion: H = (V^2 * sin^2θ) / (2 * g).

How high is a 3-stage mast?

The height of a three-stage mast can vary depending on its application. In a forklift truck context, a three-stage mast can extend to a height of 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters).

How high is a triple-stage mast?

A triple-stage mast, similar to a three-stage mast, typically extends to a height of around 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) in a forklift truck context.

What is a low mast?

A low mast typically refers to a mast that is shorter in height compared to the standard or typical mast used on a specific type of vessel.

What is the largest sailboat one person can handle?

The largest sailboat one person can handle depends on the sailor’s skill, experience, and the boat’s design and equipment. Experienced sailors have been known to solo sail boats in the 30 to 40-foot range and even larger, but handling a boat of this size alone can be very challenging.

What size sailboat to cross the Atlantic?

Sailboats that can comfortably and safely cross the Atlantic Ocean can range from 30 to 50 feet or more, depending on the boat’s seaworthiness, equipment, and the sailor’s experience.

Is a 30-foot sailboat too big for a beginner?

A 30-foot sailboat can be manageable for some beginners, especially those who have prior sailing experience or who undergo proper training. However, for complete beginners, a smaller boat in the 20 to 25-foot range might be more suitable to learn the basics of sailing.

Can you sleep while sailing alone?

Yes, it is possible to sleep while sailing alone, especially on long passages. However, sailors must take safety precautions, use proper navigation aids, and set alarms to ensure the boat’s safety while resting.

What size sailboat is best for 2 people?

For two people, a sailboat in the 30 to 40-foot range is commonly considered suitable. It provides enough space and amenities for comfortable cruising.

What is the minimum size sailboat for the ocean?

The minimum size sailboat for ocean sailing depends on the sailor’s experience, the boat’s seaworthiness, and the intended route. However, most experts recommend a sailboat in the 30 to 35-foot range as a minimum for safe ocean voyages.

How tall is the Hallberg Rassy 50 mast?

The mast height on a Hallberg Rassy 50 sailboat is approximately 71 feet (21.6 meters) above the waterline.

How tall is the mast on a Volvo Ocean Race?

The mast height on boats used in the Volvo Ocean Race, now known as The Ocean Race, can vary depending on the specific boat design and class. As of my last update in September 2021, the mast height was approximately 100 feet (30 meters) or more for the boats in this race.

How tall is the Beneteau First 40 mast?

The mast height on a Beneteau First 40 sailboat is approximately 60 feet (18.3 meters) above the waterline.

Who owns the largest single-mast sailboat in the world?

As of my knowledge cutoff in September 2021, the ownership of the largest single-mast sailboat in the world might have changed or could be a subject of debate, as yacht ownership can be private and change hands. One of the contenders for this title was the yacht “Sailing Yacht A” (Yacht “A”), owned by Andrey Melnichenko.

How tall are the masts on Bezos’ yacht?

As of my last update in September 2021, there was no information available about Jeff Bezos’ yacht having exceptionally tall masts.

Is Jeff Bezos’ yacht a sailing yacht?

As of my last update in September 2021, there was no information available about Jeff Bezos owning a sailing yacht. Jeff Bezos is known for his interest in space exploration and technology, and any updates beyond September 2021 would require checking current news sources.

How tall is the mast on a 40-ft sailboat?

The mast height on a 40-foot sailboat can vary depending on the specific model and design. As a rough estimate, the mast height of a 40-foot sailboat might be around 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters) above the waterline.

What is the largest sailboat without crew?

The largest sailboat without crew would typically be a single-handed or solo sailing yacht, designed and equipped for one person to handle all sailing tasks.

What is the largest sail on a sailboat called?

The largest sail on a sailboat is usually the mainsail, which is attached to the main mast. On larger sailing vessels, additional sails like the jib, genoa, spinnaker, or headsails can also be significant in size.

As mentioned earlier, the height of masts on old sailing ships varied depending on the type and size of the vessel. Mainmasts on large ships like the famous clipper ships of the 19th century could reach over 100 feet (30 meters) above the waterline.

How tall is the Cutty Sark mast?

The Cutty Sark, a historic clipper ship, has a mainmast height of approximately 152 feet (46 meters) above the waterline.

Can you sail a 40-foot sailboat alone?

Yes, a skilled sailor can sail a 40-foot sailboat alone. However, solo sailing on a boat of this size requires experience, training, and proper safety measures.

Can a 40-foot sailboat tip over?

A 40-foot sailboat is designed with stability in mind and is less likely to capsize in normal sailing conditions. However, extreme weather conditions or improper handling can increase the risk of tipping or capsizing any sailboat.

How often should you haul out a sailboat?

The frequency of hauling out a sailboat depends on factors such as the boat’s hull material, usage, and the environment it operates in. In general, sailboats with fiberglass hulls may be hauled out for inspection, maintenance, and bottom painting every 1 to 3 years. However, this can vary based on individual circumstances.

What is the best size sailboat to sail around the world?

The best size sailboat to sail around the world depends on the sailor’s experience, budget, and personal preferences. Sailboats in the 35 to 50-foot range are commonly chosen for long-distance cruising, as they strike a balance between comfort, seaworthiness, and ease of handling.

How many miles can a sailboat go in a day?

The number of miles a sailboat can cover in a day depends on factors such as wind conditions, currents, boat design, and sailing skill. On average, a sailboat can cover 100 to 150 miles in a day of continuous sailing, although some boats might achieve higher or lower daily distances.

What size boat is best for the ocean?

Boats in the 30 to 50-foot range are commonly considered suitable for ocean cruising, as they offer sufficient space, seaworthiness, and handling capabilities.

What is a sailboat with 4 masts called?

A sailboat with four masts is called a “four-masted ship” or a “quadriga.”

What is a small 2-person sailboat called?

A small sailboat designed for two people is often referred to as a “dinghy,” “daysailer,” or a “two-person sailboat.”

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WHAT IS A MATADOR SQUARED?

• Author: Duncan Brantley

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ORIGINAL LAYOUT

Paul Cayard, the mustachioed 31-year-old American helmsman of the Italian maxi boat Passage to Venice, screamed to be heard by his crew above howling 25-knot winds and crashing eight-foot seas: "Ammainare lo spi!" Jumping to action, Passage's 23-member team executed a perfect spinnaker drop while Cayard glanced over his shoulder to get a fix on his nearest threats, Matador² of the U.S. and Longobarda of Italy. Both were a comfortable four boat lengths behind Passage. With only two races to go in the 21-race 1990 Maxi World Championship series, Passage and Matador² were deadlocked in the point standings. A win on this December day would put Passage in the catbird seat.

As Cayard's 80-foot, 40-ton maxi gracefully rounded the inflatable orange marker and headed to windward off St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, disaster struck. An experimental carbon-fiber-headboard car—a device that secures the mainsail to the top of the mast—shattered. The light brown Kevlar main fluttered to the deck. Passage had lost her engine.

Stefano Maida scrambled up the mast to repair the damage. As he swayed violently atop the 120-foot metronome, Matador² and Longobarda passed the limping Passage. By the time the mainsail was fixed, Matador² had won. The next day, Matador² squeezed past Passage again to win a 75-mile distance race and clinch the world championship.

"To break down, especially when you're winning," said Cayard, "is like Ayrton Senna being 10 laps up and blowing out a tire. You might be the best driver out there, but there's nothing you can do about it." Passage's mishap was worth a possible swing of five points: She ended up losing the world title to Matador² by a mere 4.25 points.

Maxis are the largest, fastest and most powerful offshore racing sailboats. The class consistently attracts elite sailors from around the globe. Behind every wheel, or within spitting distance of the cockpit, was an America's Cup veteran: Dennis Conner and Rives Potts led the French yacht Emeraude; John Bertrand, Tom Whidden, John Marshall and Jon Wright sailed Longobarda; John Kolius and Peter Stalkus piloted Vanitas, another Italian entry; Dave Vietor was aboard the U.S. maxi Congere; and Cayard and Adam Ostenfeld sailed Passage.

Sadly absent was Kialoa V and her owner, Jim Kilroy. Friends said Kilroy had exchanged his racing sails for cruising rags. "Jim started this whole maxi game over a decade ago," said a sailor who has crewed for Kilroy nearly as long. "When it began to accelerate and change, he decided to sit back and watch."

The world championship was sailed in three separate regattas, each consisting of seven races. The series started in Newport last September, moved to Miami in late October and, as noted, concluded in St. Thomas. The regatta was the last chance for America's Cup skippers, crews, designers and syndicate heavies to butt heads before dedicating the next 17 months exclusively to preparations for the 1992 Cup races in San Diego.

The consensus after St. Thomas was that Bill Koch's Matador¬¨¬®‚Äö√¢¬ß is, as FBI agent Dale Cooper might say, one damn fine maxi. She showed blazing speed both upwind and down, whether it was blowing eight knots or 28. Koch's whopping $7 million investment—the boat itself cost approximately $2 million, the rest went into research and development, which will be amortized over Koch's upcoming America's Cup campaign—has apparently paid off.

Koch, sailing an earlier Matador, had been a bridesmaid in the last four world championships. The 1990 world championship was the newest version's maiden regatta, and she won impressively. "The boat is major league fast," said Vanitas navigator Stalkus, a two-time America's Cup veteran. In Newport, Matador² placed lower than first only once. It wasn't long, however, before the other six maxis realized that to have a chance at winning, they would have to gang up on Matador².

"The racing got harder for us after Newport," said Gary Jobson, tactician and part-time helmsman for Matador². "We didn't have too many friends out there. Before every start, two boats would circle us while a third waited nearby to come in for the kill."

Unfair? "Hey, it's yacht racing," said Stalkus. "The idea is to beat the other boat." Even with the gang-up tactics, though, Matador² had three wins in both Miami and St. Thomas.

Despite Matador²'s victory in the worlds, some were critical of the boat's handling and felt she could have performed even better. "If you put Dennis Conner or a crew like Passage's on Matador², she would be unstoppable," said one member of a rival afterguard. "The boat is not being sailed as well as she should be."

While Matador¬¨¬®‚Äö√¢¬ß and Passage were busy slam-dunking each other, John Bertrand, driving Longobarda, slipped by to win the St. Thomas regatta and spoil Matador¬¨¬®‚Äö√¢¬ß's chance to sweep the three events. Bertrand sailed a consistently brilliant series. Except for some bad luck during the Newport regatta—a ripped mainsail forced Longobarda out of one race, a dismasting finished her in another—the boat never finished worse than third. Bertrand won three races and placed second nine times.

Conversely, Conner was consistently lackluster aboard Emeraude, finishing ahead of only perpetual caboose Congere. Despite that minor embarrassment, Congere's owner, Beven Koeppel, had much to be thankful for. In 1990 in a race from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro, his previous maxi, also named Congere, had run aground during the night off the coast of Brazil. All 30 crew members were forced to swim ashore and the yacht broke up in the surf. The crew was picked up the next day.

If the world championship was a sneak preview of the '92 America's Cup, we can expect a knock-down, drag-out match in San Diego between Koch's America¬¨¬®‚Äö√¢• and Raul Gardini's Il Moro di Venezia (The Moor of Venice, i.e., Othello). Gardini, 57, also owns Passage.

Gardini's racing record and his business rèsumè make it clear that he's not a man to be trifled with. His industrial-chemical conglomerate, Montedison, had $13.5 billion in sales in 1989 and employs more than 50,000 people worldwide. In Italy last year, Montedison ranked second only to Fiat in sales. Gardini is also the head of the holding company Ferruzzi Finanziaria, which owns Montedison and had a gross income of $30 billion in 1989.

As a sailor, Gardini has spent a lifetime on the water, campaigning a succession of maxis, all named Il Moro di Venezia (Passage to Venice was originally an Australian boat named Windward Passage; Gardini bought it and changed the name to combine something old and something new). Il Moro III, now renamed Vanitas, won the 1988 world championship.

If Gardini had been counseling a young Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate, his advice would have been "carbon fiber," not "plastics." Gardini is betting heavily that the miracle synthetic—stronger than steel and a fraction the weight—will soon be used in everything from commercial aircraft fuselages to picnic tables. He has commissioned an experimental 180-foot carbon-fiber cruising ketch, 48 feet longer than Michael Fay's America's Cup challenger New Zealand; when it's completed, in 1992, Gardini's will be the largest carbon-fiber boat ever built. Clearly maxi boats, and now the America's Cup, are only a small part of Gardini's much larger carbon-fiber business strategy.

"We were all very sad to lose the world championship," said Gabriele Rafanelli, Gardini's general for sailing affairs, "but this regatta was used by us as a training ground for the America's Cup. Now we've seen that we can compete with anybody. We are tough. We may not look it. We are Italians. We laugh, we joke. But we will be in San Diego to win the America's Cup. And Mr. Gardini is a very determined person."

So, too, is Matador²'s Mr. Koch.

Duncan Brantley's most recent sailing story for SI appeared in the Nov. 26, 1990, issue.

DANIEL FORSTER

Matador² led Italy's Longobarda around a Newport buoy.

Passage's shot at the championship fell along with her mainsail in St. Thomas.

CARLO BORLENGHI

Looking beyond the America's Cup, Gardini is also building a 180-foot, carbon-fiber ketch.

MAXI 95 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of MAXI 95. Built by Börjesson Brothers and designed by Pelle Petterson, the boat was first built in 1974. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 9.5. Its sail area/displacement ratio 14.41. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Volvo Penta, runs on Diesel.

MAXI 95 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about MAXI 95 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the maxi 95.

MAXI 95 was designed by Pelle Petterson.

Who builds MAXI 95?

MAXI 95 is built by Börjesson Brothers.

When was MAXI 95 first built?

MAXI 95 was first built in 1974.

How long is MAXI 95?

MAXI 95 is 7.8 m in length.

What is mast height on MAXI 95?

MAXI 95 has a mast height of 10.61 m.

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