double mast yacht

7 Popular Sailboats with Two Masts (With Pictures & Prices)

Sailboats can come with one, two, or even more masts. You can also have different-sized masts placed on the front, back, or middle of your vessel.

Below, I have listed popular sailboats that have two masts.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Check also: Average sailboat price examples .

Things to Know About Sailboats With Two Masts

When looking for sailboats with two masts, you should know what you are looking for. A Ketch is one type of sailboat with two masts.

Knowing this term can help you to nail down your search when looking for a boat with two masts.

These boats come in many shapes and sizes as well as many different types of designs. Generally, these types of boats have the taller mast being forward and the smaller mast near the aft.

Yawls are also boats that feature two masts.

These also come in multiple types and designs. The difference between the Ketch and the Yawl is that the Yawl has the larger mast in the aft instead of forward. They also have smaller sails and can be easier to handle.

Another type of sailing ship that features two masts is a Brigantine.

This ship has mixed sailing rigs which commonly features squared sails on the front part of the ship and triangular sails on the back of the ship.

These boats are often larger and require more people to handle them.

7 Great Used Boats with Two Masts

There are many benefits to used boats including a lower cost. You can get a larger boat for a lower cost if you choose to buy used.

When looking at used boats, you need to make sure you look at the boat and its features thoroughly to make sure everything is in great working order.

If you do not feel confident that you can properly look over a used vessel, you can even hire a marine inspector to look it over and let you know of any potential issues or needed repairs. You can use this assessment to decide what is worth it, or if the needed repairs fall into the budget.

It is much more common for a used boat to have more than one mast. This is because the newer sailboat models are creating their new designs with just one mast.

One mast ships are easier to handle and manage so new designs are trying to optimize design and ease of sailing.

Below are great used sailboats with two masts which I have arranged by price .

1. 1976 Westerly Center Cockpit Ketch

This 1976 Westerly Center Cockpit Ketch is a small 36-foot long sailboat with two masts. This is a solidly built cruising vessel that features a center cockpit ketch layout.

This boat has a small 38 horsepower engine perfectly fit to navigate its smaller size.

The interior features 1 single berth and 3 double berths all in 3 cabins. This boat also has 2 full heads onboard.

You also have a full galley with a 4 burner stove, refrigerator and freezer, stainless steel sink, and microwave oven.

This boat makes great use of limited space and offers many amenities in a much smaller frame.

Price: $37,000.00

2. 1978 Jeanneau Gin Fizz

The 1978 Jeanneau Gin Fizz is a trusted and popular two-masted design capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean .

This boat is also very spacious for a boat that is only 38 feet in length. This model also won an award for “security, comfort, ease of handling, and ability to handle varying conditions.”

This particular used model has been well maintained and upgraded over the years.

This boat is great for family cruising, offshore passages, and even racing.

This boat features a 50 horsepower engine to help navigation.

Inside you can find 2 cabins and 1 head. You will be highly comfortable with air conditioning and other interior luxuries.

Price: $46,000.00

3. 1979 Freedom 40

The Freedom 40 is a classically designed centerboard ketch with two masts. This boat is a great sailor loaded for cruising on the wide-open blue water.

This sailboat is 40 feet in length and features accommodations for six people that include a double-v berth, another double berth, and two single berths.

There is also a full head that can be accessed both from the main salon and aft cabin.

This boat was recently painted and features newer interior fabrics, forced air heating, and much more.

You can find a dinette with separate freezer and refrigeration compartments, a stove with an oven and broiler, a double stainless steel sink, plenty of storage, and other interior features.

This boat also comes with an outboard motor with 50 horsepower and a hard bottom inflatable dinghy.

Price: $54,900.00

4. 1977 Puma 38 Ketch

The Puma 38 Ketch is a two-masted sailboat built for racing like the rest of the Puma sailing line. This brand prides itself on speed and maneuverability.

The 1977 Puma 38 is 34 feet in length with a backup diesel engine that can help you get where you need to go as well as docking into a slip. This motor features more horsepower than the average sailboat with 45 horsepower.

Features on this vessel include autopilot, electrical and manual bilge pumps, a full marine head, running hot water, and refrigerator.

This boat is made of fiberglass with teak finishes and looks well kept. You can find this boat in Spain if you are interested in purchasing it.

Price: $66,099.00

5. 1973 Morgan Out Island 41

Originally designed by Charley Morgan, the Morgan Out Island 41 is a center cockpit shoal-draft cruiser that features two masts.

This larger boat is 41 feet 3 inches in length and features many amenities.

This boat is the tri-cabin version and features interior heating, pressurized hot and cold water, a 2 burner gas oven, and a fridge.

This boat also seats up to 7 in the 3 cabins and the saloon. There are also 2 full heads on this vessel.

This boat is even equipped with an inboard motor . Inboard motors are easier when it comes to navigation including backing up, which is generally hard for sailboats to do.

Price: $68,596.00

6. 1970 Hinckley Bermuda 40

This 1970 Hinckley Bermuda 40 is a gorgeous two-masted boat painted with a mixture of desert sand and oyster white on the exterior and features a beautiful and well-kept deck.

This boat has previously had all her systems replaced and upgraded and features a 40 horsepower engine that was new in 2014.

This boat features a mahogany interior and sleeps up to 6 people in 2 cabins. You can also find a 3 burner propane stove with oven, fridge and compressor, new countertops and plenty of storage.

This boat is a stunning and highly upgraded “must-see” at a very reasonable price.

Price: $129,500.00

7. 1995 Amel Super Maramu

A newer model of sailboat is the 1995 Amel Super Maramu sailboat. This sailboat has two masts and is very long at 53 feet.

This boat features an aft deck, steps molded right into the hull, well-protected cockpit an many other features. This boat has a large 76 horsepower engine which is more than the average sailboat is equipped with.

Inside, this boat features 2 cabins and 2 heads with showers. There is also plenty of storage, air conditioning , and electric heaters. There is also a nice salon and galley with a refrigerator, dishwasher, chest freezer, microwave oven, 3 burner stove, and other appliances.

This boat is great for multiple days out on the water and is new and updated. Because of the year, this was manufactured and the features, this boat has a larger price tag than the previous models.

Price: $299,990.00

Final Thoughts:

Sailboats are a great way to enjoy a day out at sea. Most sailboat models come with sleeping arrangements and even a kitchen. This makes them ideal for trips that will take more than a day.

Having multiple masts allows you to harness the power of the wind better and can increase your speed and directional capabilities.

There are many great choices when it comes to boats with two masts, but newer models are starting to steer away from double mast designs. This does not mean that you cannot get a good boat with two masts.

Used boats can be great choices when it comes to purchasing a boat. This is even more true with large, yacht boats such as the ones listed above.

Just make sure when you buy a used sailboat you check that everything is intact and in good working order and if it is not, you have allotted space in the budget to fix what is needed.

Your new double-masted sailboat should provide you with plenty of long-lasting memories and adventures out on the water while you connect with the wind and the sea.

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What’s a Boat with Two Masts Called: Two masted sailing boat types

Two-masted sailing boats will always have a special place in the hearts of many sailors. Many sailors consider two-masted sailing boats to be the most attractive and graceful of all sailing vessels. They have an obvious elegance, but what do you know about these two masted sailboats? Let’s find out!

Among the most important aspects are the fact that two-masted sailing boats offer greater sail balance, engineless sailing and more heavy weather options.

Even if the two masted sailboats are not so common, the sailing world has a few of them and what is more, they represent a proof of the evolution and improvement of sailing boats over time. There are an almost endless number of ways sailors have arranged their sails on boats over the years.

Two-masted sailing boats are classified according to the size and position of their masts.

There are different two-masted sailing boat types and two of the most popular are schooners and yawls.

The origins of schooner-rigged vessels are unknown, however there is evidence of them in paintings by Dutch maritime painters dating back to the early 17th century.

Schooners were developed by Northern European countries, while yawls are believed to be descended from the fishing boats of England.

Sailboats with two masts include yawls, ketches, schooners and brigs (known as brigantines). Yawls and ketches are both types of sloops, which means they have one mast, but the difference between them is that the yawl has a second mast stepped at the bow.

Ketches and Yawls have a lower mast, unlike schooners that have a taller aft mast, which is also known as mizzen. Ketch sailing boats have something specific: the aft mast is  located in front of the rudder post.

The yawl’s mizzenmast serves as a counterbalance for the jib sails, so that it doesn’t have to be hung from the forestay (the rope running from the top of the mast down to the deck). They’re usually smaller than ketches and have less rigging because they don’t carry as many sails as a sloop with two masts.

Yawls are faster sailboats than schooners because they’re lighter, more balanced and easier to sail upwind. They can also go faster because their shorter sails catch more wind. But schooners have larger payloads, which means more people or cargo — an important consideration for long trips without resupply.

Schooners are two-masted sailing boats, but instead of having a jib sail like yawls, ketches and most sloops, schooners have a fore-and-aft spanker sail like a gaff sailboat. These two-masted sailboats have at least two masts, the foremast being slightly shorter than the main mast.

Schooners are larger than yawls, ketches and other sloops and weren’t used very much in modern times because they were more difficult to handle. They’re still used in racing competitions today.

Schooners have a longer bow portion than yawls. The mainsail is aft of the mast, and either one or two foresails are in front of it. In a schooner, these are triangular sails; in a yawl, they’re trapezoidal. Yawls have bowsprits — poles that extend beyond the bow for the jib and stay sail to be attached. Schooners have small bowsprits that can support jibs but not large sails.

The term ketch derives from the word catch, which hints to how it got its name in the 17th century. Ketches were initially intended to meet the specific requirements of offshore net fishing.

Ketch is a type of sailboat that features two masts and two sails, commonly used as a racing and cruising boat. The mainmast of this two-masted sailboat is typically taller than the mizzen mast (aft-mast). Its name derives from catch.

Taller masts allow you to use larger sails, so ketch boats are able to achieve better speeds than similar boats with only one mast. Some ketch designs feature a gaff rig, which is similar to a yawl, while others feature a yawl rig, which looks like a traditional sloop.

Ketch boats may look easy to sail but the slightest mistake can lead to disaster. You must be careful when operating this type of boat because it does not have as much stability as other boats, especially when you’re manoeuvring in tight quarters or windy conditions.

A ketch may also be a small recreational boat with only one head-sail in use. Many modern designs have moved away from sail altogether and are powered by engine, while others use both sails as well as engines depending on circumstance.

The brigantine was once a tiny ship that carried both oars and sails. It was a favorite of Mediterranean pirates.

A brigantine is a square-rigged sailing boat with two masts, with a fully square-rigged foremast and two sails on the mainmast.

The mainmast is stepped forward of the deck, making it possible to sail into the wind using a triangular headsail known as a jib. The brig’s foremast is shorter than the mainmast.

The name of this type of boat with 2 masts is derived from the Italian word “brigantino”, which means brigand.

Also, this two-masted sailing boat type was most commonly used for coastal trade and pirate hunting. The brigantine had an advantage over other ships of the time because it could sail against the wind using both sails, making it easier to travel against strong winds.

Faster and easier to manoeuvre than a sloop or schooner, it was used for piracy and espionage.

FAQ: Two-Masted Sailboats

What do you call a two-masted sailboat.

Two-masted sailboats are of several types: yawls, schooners, ketches or brigantines.

Why do some sailboats have two masts?

The vast majority of sailboats feature a mainsail and a jib. These two-masted sailboats provide several advantages in terms of speed and maneuverability. These two masts may be configured in a variety of ways.

The foresail directs air beyond the back of the mainsail, generating greater power from the wind. In order to help menouvering, the foresail can be backed. So, adding sails makes things simpler for bigger boats, making them easier to handle in heavy winds.

What is the difference between a ketch and a yawl sailboat?

Because they are lighter, more balanced, and easier to sail upwind, yawls are faster sailboats than schooners. They can also go at a faster speed since their shorter sails collect more wind. Schooners, on the other hand, have higher cargoes, which means more people or freight – a crucial consideration for extended journeys without replenishing.

What is a one masted sailboat?

It's a sailing boat having a single mast roughly one-third the length's aft of the bow. A sailboat with a single mast usually has one headsail in front of the mast and one mainsail behind the mast.

What is a two-masted square rigger?

It's a brig with two square-rigged masts. A gaff-rigged fore-and-aft sail also called a "mizzen" is used in addition to jibs and staysails (stays'ls) before the foremast and staysails between the masts.

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What Is A Boat With 2 Masts Called?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Two-mast sailboats hold special places in many sailors’ hearts. In addition to being dignified and majestic, a two-mast sailboat offers a perfect balance that can be easily achieved by adjusting the masts in many different ways. Let’s look at the different types of two-mast sailboats.

Whether you’re a sailboat fanatic or an interested observer, there’s something special about two-mast sailboats. In most cases, the first thing you’ll notice about a sailboat is the two masts. Generally, the mainmast is often taller than the aft-mast, which is often referred to as the mizzenmast. The mizzenmast is like a trusted old friend. It not only helps in stabilizing the sailboat under power but can also act as a bow thruster in certain scenarios. There are many reasons why sailors sing a lot of praises as far as two-mast sailboats are concerned. In heavier winds, you can break down the main mast and use the mizzen mast to give you a more balanced and comfortable sail even in the worst of conditions. But what is a boat with 2 masts called?

There are several sailboats with two masts. The most common ones include yawl, ketch, schooner, and brig. In most cases, the designs of the masts do vary but the main idea remains the same. They can have the extra mast either behind or in front of the mainmast. If the additional mast is in front of the mainmast, it’s known as a foremast but if the additional mast is behind (aft of) the mainmast, it’s known as a mizzenmast.

Let’s take a brief look at these two-mast sailboats.

Table of contents

A yawl is one of the most common types of two-mast sailboats. It has two masts: a mizzenmast and the mainmast. The mizzenmast is usually much shorter than the mainmast. This makes it an oblique type of a sailboat in the sense that the mainmast is located in the front of the boat while the mizzenmast is located in the rear past or the boat.

The mizzenmast of a yawl is mainly used to increase the helm balance and is located aft of or behind the rudder.

It’s always easy to confuse a yawl with a ketch so it would only make sense to clear up before going any further. They both have two masts with the mainmast at the front while the mizzenmast is smaller. The difference between a ketch and a yawl comes down to the location of the mast. In a yawl, the mizzenmast is behind the rudder post while in a ketch, the mizzenmast if in front of the rudder post.

Again, the mizzenmast of a ketch is nearly as tall as the mainmast and is used to carry a mainsail. Its main function, however, is to drive the sailboat forward and can sufficiently sail the boat, especially in heavier winds. This is very different from the mizzenmast of a yawl, which is only used to increase the helm balance and cannot drive the boat forward. This means that the mizzenmast of a ketch is bigger than the mizzenmast of a yawl. In short, the mizzenmast on a ketch is technically a driving sail while the mizzenmast on a yawl is more of a balancing sail.

A ketch generally has an advantage over a sloop in downwind or in heavy winds. This is because it has a variety of setups than a typical sloop. The mizzenmast gives you a lot of options to depower in heavy winds and find the most perfect amount of canvas to fly. It can also help in stabilizing the sailboat under the power given that the mizzenmast is naturally in an excellent position.

In essence, a ketch has many practical benefits that can be ideal in most situations in the waters. In addition to sailing peacefully on a beam-reach, a ketch is easily manageable and can give you a lot of options in various weather conditions and situations.

When it comes to a two-mast schooner (a schooner can have two or more masts), the foremast is usually smaller than the aft most mast, which is essentially the mainmast. As such, the main characteristic of a schooner is that the masts are almost of the same height but the foremost mast is slightly smaller.

Even though a schooner is easier to sail than say a sloop (one-mast sailboat), it isn’t very fast. This is why most sailors prefer a sloop to a schooner but it’s a sight to behold, especially when under full sail. While a schooner with a square topsail is the most common, there are others with sprit rigs that run diagonally. Schooners with spritsails are not ideal in big seaways because the sprit rig cannot be lowered since it could become unmanageable. On the other hand, the sprit rig is ideal in coastal waters given that the topsail can catch a high up breeze. 

Like the above-mentioned two-mast sailboats, the brig has two masts with the foremost mast squared. The mainmast can be squared, partially squared or triangular. Some brig sailboats have a lateen mainsail on the mainmast. Historically, brigs were used by pirates and were set in motion using oars. Its name is derived from the Italian word “brigantine,” which loosely translates to “pirate.” These types of sailboats were used by pirates the Mediterranean in the 16th century before they became sailboats.

The two most common types of brigs are:

Brigantine – The foremost mast is usually partially squared but the mainmast is triangular.

Hermaphrodite brig – It’s also known as the schooner brig or the half brig. The two masts are partially squared but the mainmast is gaff-rigged and topsail, which technically makes it half schooner.

When it comes to speed and maneuverability, brigs are easy to handle and maneuver and perhaps that’s why they were preferred by pirates. Again, brigs are generally larger than other two-mast sailboats or single-mast sailboats.

There you have it; there are various types of two-mast sailboats, so there’s not a single name that fits all. You can choose any of them as they’ll serve you perfectly, especially in heavy wind conditions.

Bon Voyage!

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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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What Is A Boat With 2 Masts Called?

Sailboats have held and air of mystique and romance ever since the early explores sailed the globe.

However, the early trade ships were somewhat restricted in their ability to sail into, or against, the wind. As a result, the ships that discovered the new world were slaves to the directions the trade winds were blowing.

Today, thanks to advances in hull design, sail orientation and mast placement, there are numerous sailboat designs that use multiple sail configurations that can travel around the world in any direction at any time of year.

Over the years the types of sailboats have been reduced to a few well-performing designs. These designs are divided into the two main classifications of one-masted boats and those with two or more masts with each mast being capable of supporting one or more sails.

The sloop is the most common type of sailboat and has just one mast, placed roughly at midship, with up to three headsails attached to the mast by guy lines. Boats with 2 masts or more are the ketch, yawl, brigantine, brig and the schooner , with the schooners having two, three, or in rare cases, four masts.

Many sailors like the ketch-rigged design for its off-shore performance, comfort and overall balance. This design has a main and mizzen sail, with the mainsail set in approximately the same position as on a sloop, The mizzen is a smaller mast sail set towards the rear of the boat.

The concept behind the two-sail setup on the ketch-rigged sailboat is that it provides two smaller sails that provide more overall sail area than the single sail design.

In theory the smaller sails are easier to work with in heavy off-shore winds, making the boat much easier to sail in storms. Because of the smaller and easier-to-handle sails, the design is a good choice for long distance short-handed sailing.

The mizzen sail also acts as sort of a “rudder” in helping to keep the boat sailing in the proper direction because of the downward force the mizzen applies to the rear of the boat.

Comfort is another strong selling point of this design. Whereas most sailboats are designed with the cockpit at the stern of the boat, this sailboat has a center cockpit design to allow for the placement of the mizzen sail aft.

Having the cockpit in the middle of the boat allows for more headroom below deck at the rear of the boat and a larger aft cabin. Additionally, unlike an aft cockpit that usually has the rear open to the ocean, a center cockpit is fully enclosed. This offers protection from the elements while at sea and makes for a much nicer sitting area.

The ketch-rigged sailboat is a time-proven rig that has made untold circumnavigations of the globe. For sailors who like the two-mast design, this sailboat is a hard choice to beat.

The yawl is also equipped with a main and a mizzen mast. However, a yawl typically has a smaller mizzen with the mast set aft of the rudder post.

There are as many arguments about whether the yawl is a practical off-shore design as there are species of fish in the ocean. While there are some that site the sail plan of the yawl as more aesthetic than functional, there are many long-time professional sailors who swear by the yawl design.

In theory, at least, the rear mast works as a rudder similarly to the ketch-rigged sailboat. The arguments typically start over the size and placement of the mizzen mast.

Some claim that placing the mizzen further back aids in helping to steer the boat. The other side of the argument is the reduced sail size makes it less efficient.

There is also the point that some sailors feel the mizzen being placed further back aids in heaving, or changing direction, and helps with steadying the boat at anchor.

Still, most sailors familiar with both the ketch and yawl say that the mizzen on the yawl is not a match for that of the ketch-rigged sailboat.

Brigantine and the Brig

Of similar, but not identical design, the brigantine and brig fall into the category of “clipper” or merchant ships.

Both are two-masted boats with the brigantine having square sails on the foremost mast and gaff sails on the mainmast. Here note that the smaller foremast is set forward of mast for the main sail.

Gaff sails are a four-cornered sail design attached to horizontal pole that hangs from the mast. Because of the smaller design, gaffs sails are more easily handled. In contrast, the brig uses square sails on both masts.

Both ships handle both coastal waters and ocean crossings as the square sails are well suited for sailing the trade wind routes.

A schooner is another boat with 2 masts, but can also have more. Like the brig and brigantine, a two-masted schooner has a foremast and an aft mast, the latter essentially being the mainmast.

The main characteristic of the schooner is the masts are almost the same size, with the foremost mast sometimes being slightly shorter. The schooner is equipped with gaff sails on all masts, making it better equipped to handle strong seas.

This makes the schooner very versatile and well suited to crossing the ocean on the trade-wind routes as well as sailing coastal waters with varying wind directions.

Closing Thoughts

Because of the versatile design, many pleasure sailboats during the 19th century were schooner-rigged.

While a square topsail is the most common schooner sail plan, some have sprit rigged topsails that run diagonally across the mast. However, sprit rigging is inefficient in adverse weather as the sails are not easily lowered.

Conversely, sprit rigging excels in coastal waters where the sails can more readily catch the light winds that tend to blow higher up.

While a schooner is easy to sail, can handle various wind and water conditions and is probably the most magnificent sight on the sea under full sail, the draw back of the schooner is it is definitely not the fastest sailboat design.

• Schooner: A Classic Sailboat with Timeless Elegance

1. Introduction

Sailing has always captivated the human imagination, and one type of sailboat that has left an indelible mark in maritime history is the schooner. With its distinctive design and graceful sails, the schooner embodies timeless elegance and the romance of the open sea. In this article, we will explore the definition of a schooner, its history, anatomy, types, famous examples, modern relevance, and more. Join us on this voyage as we delve into the world of schooners.

2. Definition of a Schooner

A schooner is a type of sailing vessel characterized by its unique sail plan. Unlike other sailboats, a schooner has multiple masts, with the forward mast being shorter than the aft mast. The sails on a schooner are typically fore-and-aft rigged, meaning they run parallel to the length of the boat, allowing for efficient sailing against the wind. Schooners come in various sizes, from small pleasure craft to large commercial vessels.

3. History and Evolution

The history of the schooner can be traced back to the early 18th century. Its design is believed to have originated in the Netherlands and spread throughout Europe and North America. The schooner quickly gained popularity due to its versatility and speed. It was widely used for various purposes, including fishing, cargo transportation, and even as private yachts for the wealthy.

4. Anatomy of a Schooner

To understand the anatomy of a schooner, let's explore its key components:

• Hull: The hull of a schooner is the main body of the boat, providing buoyancy and stability. It can be made of wood, steel, or fiberglass.
• Masts: A schooner typically has two or more masts, with the aft mast, known as the mainmast, being taller than the forward mast, called the foremast.
• Sails: The sails on a schooner are arranged in a fore-and-aft configuration. Common types of sails found on a schooner include the mainsail, foresail, jib, staysail, and topsail.
• Rigging: Schooners have intricate rigging systems that support the masts and control the sails. This includes various lines, ropes, and pulleys.
• Deck: The deck is the horizontal surface on the schooner where crew members move and work. It may feature cabins, hatches, and other structures.
• Steering Mechanism: Schooners use a rudder system to control their direction, allowing the sailors to navigate through the water.

5. Types of Schooners

Schooners can be classified into different types based on their size, rigging, and purpose. Some common types of schooners include:

• Baltimore Clipper: A sleek and fast schooner popularized in the mid-19th century.
• Gaff Topsail Schooner: A schooner with a gaff-rigged topsail, providing additional sail area.
• Schooner Yacht: Luxurious schooners designed for pleasure sailing and racing.
• Two-Masted Schooner: Schooners with two masts, offering a balanced sail plan.
• Three-Masted Schooner: Larger schooners with three masts, commonly used for commercial purposes.

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6. Famous Schooners in History

Throughout history, numerous schooners have gained fame for their remarkable voyages and contributions to maritime heritage. Some notable examples include:

• The America: A schooner that won the first America's Cup yacht race in 1851, setting the stage for modern yacht racing.
• The Bluenose: A Canadian fishing and racing schooner celebrated for its speed and beauty.
• The Wyoming: Once the largest wooden schooner ever built, measuring over 330 feet in length.
• The Adventuress: A historic schooner now serving as an educational vessel, promoting environmental stewardship.

7. Schooners in Popular Culture

Schooners have found their way into popular culture, appearing in literature, movies, and music. They symbolize adventure, freedom, and the romanticism of a bygone era. From classic novels like "Treasure Island" to films such as "Pirates of the Caribbean," schooners have captured the imagination of storytellers and audiences alike.

8. Advantages of Schooners

The design of a schooner offers several advantages over other sailboats. These include:

• Speed and Maneuverability: Schooners are known for their agility and speed, making them ideal for racing and navigating through various weather conditions.
• Sailing Options: The fore-and-aft rigging of schooners provides flexibility in sail adjustments, allowing for efficient sailing in different wind directions.
• Versatility: Schooners can be adapted for various purposes, including pleasure sailing, chartering, cargo transportation, and even scientific research expeditions.

9. Sailing a Schooner

Sailing a schooner requires skill and expertise. The crew must work together to hoist and adjust the sails, control the rigging, and steer the vessel. Schooners offer an immersive and hands-on sailing experience, connecting sailors to the rich heritage of traditional seafaring.

10. Schooners in Modern Times

While the heyday of commercial schooners has passed, their legacy continues. Many enthusiasts restore and sail schooners, keeping the tradition alive. Schooners are also popular choices for those seeking a unique and nostalgic sailing experience. Whether for pleasure, racing, or exploring remote corners of the world, schooners continue to inspire sailors and onlookers alike.

11. Schooner Yachts: Luxury on the Water

Schooner yachts combine the timeless elegance of schooners with the luxury and comfort of modern amenities. These magnificent vessels offer a blend of classic design and state-of-the-art features, providing an unforgettable experience for those who appreciate the finer things in life.

Schooners stand as testaments to human ingenuity and our eternal fascination with the sea. Their iconic design, rich history, and enduring allure make them a beloved part of maritime heritage. From their humble beginnings to their continued presence in modern times, schooners continue to inspire and captivate sailors and dreamers alike.

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our range of charter boats and head to some of our favourite sailing destinations. 

So what are you waiting for? Take a look at our  range of charter boats  and head to some of our favourite  sailing destinations . 

FAQ everything about schooners

Solstice 35m Twin Mast Cruising Catamaran

Solstice is a conceptual catamaran designed by Yacht and Superyacht designer Andrew Trujillo. The British based designer conceived the yacht as a result of conversations with a Naval Architect friend of his who was currently testing a small twin mast recreational Catamaran.

“The conversation fired my imagination and brought to mind an old university project.  I recall that at University I had designed a catamaran and quite early on I realised that the conventional central placement of masts on the majority of Catamarans, although practical for most applications, is not ideal from a structural point of view.

I have had the chance and privilege to be involved in a catamaran project with a very respected production catamaran manufacturer of late and I thought it would be fun to try something a little experimental for myself. Naturally, twin rig catamarans are not new, with many racing and performance examples available, but I thought a cruising cat would be an interesting conceptual challenge, hence Solstice….”

America is a full-scale replica of the famed schooner that crossed the Atlantic, challenged the British, beat all comers, and spawned the longest winning streak in modern sports history.  Designed by John Scarano , this vessel is a modern classic. Now owned by  Next Level Sailing  in San Diego, she is approximately 2 feet wider, 5 feet longer, and 30% lighter than the original, and although there are no accurate records of the old Americaʼs boat speed, this design by John Scarano is almost certainly faster. Check out the history of America at Next Level Sailing .

LOA : 139 feet (43 meters) Type : 19th-century two-masted schooner Construction: Laminated cedar hull Year Launched: 1995 Certification : USCG certified for up to 85 passengers Current Location : San Diego, CA Trivia : Schooner America carried the Olympic torch to the 1996 Olympic sailing venue in Savannah, GA. 

Contemplating a new build? A restoration? Tell us a bit about your project in the provided form or give us a call. We are anxious to hear about it.

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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.

Every time I'm around a large number of sailboats, I look around in awe (especially with the bigger ones). I recognize some, but with most of them, I'll have to ask the owner. When they answer, I try to hide my ignorance. The words don't make any sense!

So here's a complete list with pictures of the most common sailboat types today. For each of them, I'll explain exactly where the name comes from, and how you can recognize it easily.

So here's my list of popular sailboat types, explained:

Bermuda sloop, sailing hydrofoil, dutch barge, chinese junk, square-rigged tall ship, in conclusion, how to recognize any sailboat.

Before we get started, I wanted to quickly explain what you should look for when you try to identify a sailboat.

The type of sailboat is always determined by one of these four things:

• The type of hull
• The type of keel
• The number of masts
• And the type of sails and rig

The hull is the boat's body. There are basically three hull types: monohull, catamaran, and trimaran. Simply said: do I see one hull, two hulls (catamaran) or three hulls (trimaran)? Most sailboats are monohulls.

Next, there is the keel type. The keel is the underwater part of the hull. Mostly, you won't be able to see that, because it's underwater. So we'll leave that for now.

The sail plan

The last factor is the number of masts and the sail plan. The sail plan, simply put, is the number of sails, the type of sails, and how the sails are mounted to the masts (also called rigging ).

Sailboat are mostly named after the sail plan, but occasionally, a sail type is thrown in there as well.

So now we know what to pay attention to, let's go and check out some sailboats!

Dinghies are the smallest and most simple sailboats around.

They are your typical training sailboats. Small boats with an open hull, with just one mast and one sail. Perfect for learning the ways of the wind.

On average, they are between 6 and 20 ft long. Mostly sailed single-handed (solo). There's no special rigging, just the mainsail. The mainsail is commonly a Bermuda (triangular) mainsail. Dinghies have a simple rudder stick and no special equipment or rigging.

Dinghies are great for learning how to sail. The smaller the boat, the better you feel the impact of your trim and actions.

How to recognize a sailing dinghy:

• short (8ft)
• one Bermuda sail
• open hull design
• rudder stick

Common places to spot them: lakes, near docks

If you'd ask a kid to draw a sailboat, she'll most probably draw this one. The Bermuda Sloop is the most popular and most common sailboat type today. You'll definitely recognize this one.

How to recognize a Bermuda Sloop:

• triangular mainsail (called a Bermuda sail)
• a foresail (also called the jib)
• fore-and-aft rigged
• medium-sized (12 - 50 ft)

Fore-and-aft rigged just means "from front to back". This type of rigging helps to sail upwind.

Any sailboat with one mast and two sails could still be a sloop. Even if the sails are another shape or rigged in another way. For example, here's a gaff-rigged sloop (more on the gaff rig later):

If you want to learn all about sail rigs, check out my full Guide to Understanding Sail Rig Types here. It has good infographics and explains it in more detail

The Bermuda sloop has a lot of advantages over other sailboat types (which is why it's so popular):

• the Bermuda rig is very maneuverable and pretty fast in almost all conditions
• it's really versatile
• you can sail it by yourself without any problems
• it's a simple setup

Common places to spot a sloop: everywhere. Smaller sloops are more common for inland waters, rivers, and lakes. Medium-sized and large sloops are very popular cruising boats.

Cutters have one mast but three or more sails. Most cutters are Bermuda rigged, which means they look a lot like sloops.

How to recognize a cutter:

• looks like a sloop
• two or more headsails instead of one
• commonly one mast
• sometimes an extra mast with mainsail

Cutters have more sail area, which makes them faster, but also harder to sail single-handed. There's also more strain on the mast and rigging.

Common places to spot a cutter: everywhere. Cutters are very popular for cruising.

They mostly have a Bermuda rig, which means triangular sails. But there are also gaff cutters and naval cutters, and some have two masts.

Here's an example of a two-masted naval cutter with an extra gaff mainsail and top gaff:

The Hydrofoil is a pretty new sailboat design. It's a racing sailboat with thin wing foils under the hull. These lift up the hull, out of the water, reducing the displacement to nearly zero. The foils create downforce and keep it from lifting off entirely.

This makes the hydrofoil extremely fast and also impressive.

The hydrofoil refers to the keel type. There are both monohull and multihull hydrofoils.

How to recognize a hydrofoil:

• it flies above the waterline and has small fins

Common places to spot a hydrofoil: at racing events

Famous catamaran: La Vagabonde from Sailing La Vagabonde

A catamaran is a type of cruising and racing multihull sailboat with two hulls. The hulls are always the same size.

Most catamarans have a standard Bermuda rig. The catamaran refers to the hull, so it can have any number of masts, sails, sail types and rig type.

How to recognize a catamaran:

• any boat with two hulls is called a catamaran

Common places to spot catamarans: coastal waters, The Caribbean, shallow reefs

The advantages of a catamaran: Catamarans heel less than monohulls and are more buoyant. Because of the double hull, they don't need as deep a keel to be stable. They have a smaller displacement, making them faster. They also have a very shallow draft. That's why catamarans are so popular in the Caribbean, where there's lots of shallow water.

Catamarans are nearly impossible to capsize:

"Compared with a monohull, a cruising catamaran sailboat has a high initial resistance to heeling and capsize—a fifty-footer requires four times the force to initiate a capsize than an equivalent monohull." Source: Wikipedia

How to recognize a trimaran:

• any boat with three hulls is called a trimaran

Trimarans have three hulls, so it's a multi-hull design. It's mostly a regular monohull with two smaller hulls or floaters on the sides. Some trimarans can be trailered by winching in the auxiliary hulls, like this:

This makes them very suitable for long-term cruising, but also for regular docking. This is great for crowded areas and small berths, like in the Mediterranean. It sure is more cost-effective than the catamaran (but you also don't have the extra storage and living space!).

Common places to spot Trimarans: mostly popular for long-term cruising, you'll find the trimaran in coastal areas.

Gaffer refers to gaff-rigged, which is the way the sails are rigged. A gaff rig is a rectangular sail with a top pole, or 'spar', which attaches it to the mast. This pole is called the 'gaff'. To hoist the mainsail, you hoist this top spar with a separate halyard. Most gaffers carry additional gaff topsails as well.

Gaff rigs are a bit less versatile than sloops. Because of the gaff, they can have a larger sail area. So they will perform better with downwind points of sail. Upwind, however, they handle less well.

How to recognize a gaffer:

• sail is rectangular
• mainsail has a top pole (or spar)

Since a gaffer refers to the rig type, and not the mast configuration or keel type, all sailboats with this kind of rigging can be called 'gaffers'.

Common places to spot a gaffer: Gaffers are popular inland sailboats. It's a more traditional rig, being used recreationally.

Schooners used to be extremely popular before sloops took over. Schooners are easy to sail but slower than sloops. They handle better than sloops in all comfortable (cruising) points of sail, except for upwind.

How to recognize a schooner:

• mostly two masts
• smaller mast in front
• taller mast in the back
• fore-and-aft rigged sails
• gaff-rigged mainsails (spar on top of the sail)

Common places to spot a schooner: coastal marinas, bays

How to recognize a ketch:

• medium-sized (30 ft and up)
• smaller mast in back
• taller mast in front
• both masts have a mainsail

The ketch refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig). Ketches actually handle really well. The back mast (mizzenmast) powers the hull, giving the skipper more control. Because of the extra mainsail, the ketch has shorter masts. This means less stress on masts and rigging, and less heel.

Common places to spot a ketch: larger marinas, coastal regions

How to recognize a yawl:

• main mast in front
• much smaller mast in the back
• back mast doesn't carry a mainsail

The aft mast is called a mizzenmast. Most ketches are gaff-rigged, so they have a spar at the top of the sail. They sometimes carry gaff topsails. They are harder to sail than sloops.

The yawl refers to the sail plan (mast configuration and type of rig).

Common places to spot a yawl: they are not as popular as sloops, and most yawls are vintage sailboat models. You'll find most being used as daysailers on lakes and in bays.

Dutch Barges are very traditional cargo ships for inland waters. My hometown is literally littered with a very well-known type of barge, the Skutsje. This is a Frisian design with leeboards.

Skutsjes don't have a keel but use leeboards for stability instead, which are the 'swords' or boards on the side of the hull.

How to recognize a Dutch Barge:

• most barges have one or two masts
• large, wooden masts
• leeboards (wooden wings on the side of the hull)
• mostly gaff-rigged sails (pole on top of the sail, attached to mast)
• a ducktail transom

The clipper is one of the latest sailboat designs before steam-powered vessels took over. The cutter has a large cargo area for transporting cargo. But they also needed to be fast to compete with steam vessels. It's a large, yet surprisingly fast sailboat model, and is known for its good handling.

This made them good for trade, especially transporting valuable goods like tea or spices.

How to recognize a Clipper:

• mostly three masts
• square-rigged sails
• narrow but long, steel hull

Common places to spot a clipper: inland waters, used as houseboats, but coastal waters as well. There are a lot of clippers on the Frisian Lakes and Waddenzee in The Netherlands (where I live).

This particular junk is Satu, from the Chesapeake Bay Area.

The Chinese Junk is an ancient type of sailboat. Junks were used to sail to Indonesia and India from the start of the Middle Ages onward (500 AD). The word junk supposedly comes from the Chinese word 'jung', meaning 'floating house'.

How to recognize a Chinese junk:

• medium-sized (30 - 50 ft)
• large, flat sails with full-length battens
• stern (back of the hull) opens up in a high deck
• mostly two masts (sometimes one)
• with two mainsails, sails are traditionally maroon
• lug-rigged sails

The junk has a large sail area. The full-length battens make sure the sails stay flat. It's one of the flattest sails around, which makes it good for downwind courses. This also comes at a cost: the junk doesn't sail as well upwind.

The cat rig is a sail plan with most commonly just one mast and one sail, the mainsail.

Most sailing dinghies are cats, but there are also larger boats with this type of sail plan. The picture above is a great example.

How to recognize a cat rig:

• smaller boats
• mostly one mast
• one sail per mast
• no standing rigging

Cat-rigged refers to the rigging, not the mast configuration or sail type. So you can have cats with a Bermuda sail (called a Bermuda Cat) or gaff-rigged sail (called a Gaff Cat), and so on. There are also Cat Ketches and Cat Schooners, for example. These have two masts.

The important thing to know is: cats have one sail per mast and no standing rigging .

Most typical place to spot Cats: lakes and inland waters

Famous brig: HMS Beagle (Charles Darwin's ship)

A brig was a very popular type of small warship of the U.S. navy during the 19th century. They were used in the American Revolution and other wars with the United Kingdom. They carry 10-18 guns and are relatively fast and maneuverable. They required less crew than a square-rigged ship.

How to recognize a brig:

• square-rigged foremast
• mainmast square-rigged or square-rigged and gaff-rigged

How to recognize a tall ship:

• three or four masts
• square sails with a pole across the top
• multiple square sails on each mast
• a lot of lines and rigging

Square-rigged ships, or tall ships, are what we think of when we think of pirate ships. Now, most pirate ships weren't actually tall ships, but they come from around the same period. They used to be built from wood, but more modern tall ships are nearly always steel.

Tall ships have three or four masts and square sails which are square-rigged. That means they are attached to the masts with yards.

We have the tall ship races every four years, where dozens of tall ships meet and race just offshore.

Most common place to spot Tall Ships: Museums, special events, open ocean

This is a bonus type since it is not very common anymore. As far as I know, there's only one left.

The Trabaccolo is a small cargo ship used in the Adriatic Sea. It has lug sails. A lug rig is a rectangular sail, but on a long pole or yard that runs fore-and-aft. It was a popular Venetian sailboat used for trade.

The name comes from the Italian word trabacca , which means tent, referring to the sails.

How to recognize a Trabaccolo:

• wide and short hull
• sails look like a tent

Most common place to spot Trabaccolo's: the Marine Museum of Cesenatico has a fully restored Trabaccolo.

So, there you have it. Now you know what to look for, and how to recognize the most common sailboat types easily. Next time you encounter a magnificent sailboat, you'll know what it's called - or where to find out quickly.

I loved this article. I had no idea there were so many kinds of sailboats.

i have a large sailing boat about 28ft. that im having a difficult time identifying. it was my fathers & unfortunately hes passed away now. any helpful information would be appreciated.

Jorge Eusali Castro Archbold

I find a saleboat boat but i can find the módem…os registré out off bru’x, and the saleboat name is TADCOZ, can you tell me who to go about this matter in getting info.thank con voz your time…

Leave a comment

You may also like, guide to understanding sail rig types (with pictures).

There are a lot of different sail rig types and it can be difficult to remember what's what. So I've come up with a system. Let me explain it in this article.

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

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The Ultimate Guide to Sail Boat Designs: Exploring Sail Shape, Masts and Keel Types in 2023

• June 4, 2023

When it comes to sail boat designs, there is a wide array of options available, each with its own unique characteristics and advantages. From the shape of the sails to the number of masts and the type of keel, every aspect plays a crucial role in determining a sailboat’s performance, stability, and manoeuvrability. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the fascinating world of sail boat designs, exploring the various elements and their significance.

Table of Contents

The sail shape is a fundamental aspect of sail boat design, directly impacting its speed, windward performance, and maneuverability. There are several types of sail shapes, including:

1. Bermuda Rig:

The Bermuda rig is a widely used sail shape known for its versatility and performance. It features a triangular mainsail and a jib, offering excellent maneuverability and the ability to sail close to the wind. The Bermuda rig’s design allows for efficient use of wind energy, enabling sailboats to achieve higher speeds. The tall, triangular mainsail provides a larger surface area for capturing the wind, while the jib helps to balance the sail plan and optimize performance. This rig is commonly found in modern recreational sailboats and racing yachts. Its sleek and streamlined appearance adds to its aesthetic appeal, making it a popular choice among sailors of all levels of experience.

2. Gaff Rig:

The Gaff rig is a classic sail shape that exudes elegance and nostalgia. It features a four-sided mainsail with a gaff and a topsail, distinguishing it from other sail designs. The gaff, a horizontal spar, extends diagonally from the mast, providing additional area for the mainsail. This configuration allows for a taller and more powerful sail, making the Gaff rig particularly suited for downwind sailing. The Gaff rig offers a traditional aesthetic and is often found in vintage and classic sailboats, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era of maritime exploration. The distinctive shape of the Gaff rig, with its graceful curves and intricate rigging, adds a touch of timeless charm to any sailboat that dons this rig.

3. Lateen Rig:

The Lateen rig is a unique and versatile sail design that has been used for centuries in various parts of the world. It features a triangular sail that is rigged on a long yard, extending diagonally from the mast. This configuration allows for easy adjustment of the sail’s angle to catch the wind efficiently, making the Lateen rig suitable for a wide range of wind conditions. The Lateen rig is known for its ability to provide both power and maneuverability, making it ideal for small to medium-sized sailboats and traditional vessels like dhow boats. Its versatility allows sailors to navigate narrow waterways and make tight turns with ease. The distinctive silhouette of a sailboat with a Lateen rig, with its sleek triangular sail and graceful curves, evokes a sense of adventure and a connection to seafaring traditions from around the world.

Number of Masts

The number of masts in a sail boat design affects its stability, sail area, and overall performance. Let’s explore a few common configurations:

1. Sloop Rig:

The sloop rig is one of the most popular and versatile sail boat designs, favoured by sailors around the world. It consists of a single mast and two sails—a mainsail and a jib. The sloop rig offers simplicity, ease of handling, and excellent performance across various wind conditions. The mainsail, situated behind the mast, provides the primary driving force, while the jib helps to balance the sail plan and improve manoeuvrability. This configuration allows for efficient upwind sailing, as the sails can be trimmed independently to optimize performance. The sloop rig is commonly found in modern recreational sailboats due to its versatility, enabling sailors to enjoy cruising, racing, or day sailing with ease. Its streamlined design and sleek appearance on the water make it both aesthetically pleasing and efficient, capturing the essence of the sailing experience.

2. Cutter Rig:

The cutter rig is a versatile and robust sail boat design that offers excellent performance, especially in challenging weather conditions. It features a single mast and multiple headsails, typically including a larger headsail forward of the mast, known as the cutter rig’s distinguishing feature. This configuration provides a wide range of sail combinations, enabling sailors to adjust the sail plan to suit varying wind strengths and directions. The larger headsail enhances the boat’s downwind performance, while the smaller headsails offer increased flexibility and improved balance. The cutter rig excels in heavy weather, as it allows for easy reefing and depowering by simply reducing or eliminating the headsails. This design is commonly found in offshore cruising sailboats and has a strong reputation for its reliability and seaworthiness. The cutter rig combines versatility, stability, and the ability to handle adverse conditions, making it a preferred choice for sailors seeking both performance and safety on their voyages.

3. Ketch Rig:

The Ketch rig is a sail boat design characterized by the presence of two masts, with the main mast being taller than the mizzen mast. This configuration offers a divided sail plan, providing sailors with increased flexibility, balance, and versatility. The main advantage of the Ketch rig is the ability to distribute the sail area across multiple sails, allowing for easier handling and reduced stress on each individual sail. The mizzen mast, positioned aft of the main mast, helps to improve the sailboat’s balance, especially in strong winds or when sailing downwind. The Ketch rig is often favoured by cruisers and long-distance sailors as it provides a range of sail combinations suitable for various wind conditions. With its distinctive double-mast appearance, the Ketch rig exudes a classic charm and is well-regarded for its stability, comfort, and suitability for extended journeys on the open seas.

The keel is the part of the sail boat that provides stability and prevents drifting sideways due to the force of the wind. Here are some common keel types:

1. Fin Keel:

The fin keel is a popular keel type in sail boat design known for its excellent upwind performance and stability. It is a long, narrow keel that extends vertically from the sailboat’s hull, providing a substantial amount of ballast to counterbalance the force of the wind. The fin keel’s streamlined shape minimizes drag and enables the sailboat to cut through the water with efficiency. This design enhances the sailboat’s ability to sail close to the wind, making it ideal for racing and performance-oriented sailboats. The fin keel also reduces leeway, which refers to the sideways movement of the boat caused by the wind. This improves the sailboat’s ability to maintain a straight course and enhances overall manoeuvrability. Sailboats with fin keels are commonly found in coastal and offshore racing as well as cruising vessels, where stability and responsiveness are valued. The fin keel’s combination of performance, stability, and reduced leeway makes it a preferred choice for sailors seeking speed and agility on the water.

2. Full Keel:

The full keel is a design known for its exceptional stability and seaworthiness. It extends along the entire length of the sailboat, providing a continuous surface that adds substantial weight and ballast. This configuration offers significant advantages in terms of tracking and resistance to drifting sideways. The full keel’s deep draft helps to prevent leeway and allows the sailboat to maintain a steady course even in adverse conditions. Its robust construction enhances the sailboat’s ability to handle heavy seas and provides a comfortable ride for sailors on extended journeys. While full keel sailboats may sacrifice some manoeuvrability, their stability and predictable handling make them a popular choice for offshore cruising and long-distance voyages. The full keel design has stood the test of time and is often associated with classic and traditional sailboat aesthetics, appealing to sailors seeking reliability, comfort, and the ability to tackle challenging ocean passages with confidence.

3. Wing Keel:

The wing keel is a unique keel design that offers a combination of reduced draft and improved stability. It features a bulbous extension or wings on the bottom of the keel, which effectively increases the keel’s surface area. This design allows sailboats to navigate in shallower waters without sacrificing stability and performance. The wings create additional lift and prevent excessive leeway, enhancing the sailboat’s upwind capabilities. The reduced draft of the wing keel enables sailors to explore coastal areas and anchor in shallower anchorages that would be inaccessible to sailboats with deeper keels. The wing keel is particularly well-suited for sailboats in areas with variable water depths or tidal ranges. This keel design offers the advantages of increased manoeuvrability and improved performance while maintaining stability, making it a popular choice for sailors seeking versatility in a range of sailing environments.

In the vast world of sail boat designs, sail shape, number of masts, and keel types play pivotal roles in determining a boat’s performance and handling characteristics. Whether you’re a recreational sailor, a racer, or a cruiser, understanding these design elements can help you make informed choices when selecting a sailboat.

Remember to consider your specific needs, preferences, and intended use of the boat when choosing a sail boat design. Each design has its strengths and weaknesses, and finding the perfect combination will greatly enhance your sailing experience.

By gaining a deeper understanding of sail boat designs, you can embark on your next sailing adventure with confidence and make the most of the wind’s power.

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Mutiara Laut

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About Mutiara Laut

Mutiara Laut is a classic double-mast yacht, the design and construction is based on a 18th century North Atlantic schooner, with a touch of the Indonesian traditional Phinisi. Her massive sails and traditional look is impressive. Her name suits her and means Pearl of the Sea.

Mutiara Laut was built in Kalimantan , this resulted in a flawless constructed vessel with a streamlined hull and massive sails. This perfect charter vessel has three spacious decks and is designed to accommodate groups up to 14 guests to sail and explore the Indonesian Archipelago in comfort and authentic style.

Onboard: Mutiara Laut features seven en-suite cabins. Six luxurious cabins and a master suite, which are four doubles and two twin bed cabins, all cabins have en-suite bathrooms with showers and vanity units. The Master suite has a king-size bed, writing desk, walk-in wardrobe and windows to have beautiful view while sailing. Apart from the cabins, there is an inside 36sqm saloon, library and lounge area. All inside area’s are airconditioned, and feature a TV. There is an intimate dining room for 14 guests, all decorated in beautiful colours and wooden accessories. The interior is designed merging European and Asian craftsmanship. Outside, the 60sqm open deck provides daybeds for leisure, an outside dining area and a BBQ area.

The chefs cuisine is a mix of Indonesian and Western influences.

With an experienced crew of 13, including a cruise director, captain and dive guides will meet up to your every expectation in service and comfort.

The enormous outside deck makes this ship unique and perfect for an unforgettable experience of exploring remote islands and stunning places. The Mutiara Laut is fully equipped for diving and snorkeling, and provides water ski’s and kayaks as well.

Specialties: Escape to the mystical, tropical paradise and explore dreamlike destinations. Mutiara Laut is experienced in taking guests on specialised trips, such as birdwatching tours, hiking trails and diving cruises.

Enquire about custom itineraries and please don’t hesitate to ask about your specific requirements.

Yacht Features

Water sports & activities, specifications, photos of mutiara laut, exterior gallery, interior gallery, experience gallery.

April – September

Cruising Destinations

High Season

October – March

Key Features

Sometimes we just want to chill. You’re on holiday, so just relax. Enjoy a massage, practice yoga, enjoy fine dining, or watch the stunning views along your journey. Last but not least, don’t forget about the good company!

Diving is very often on top of the list. And of course for those curious about the under water world, snorkeling or free diving is a fantastic way to get glimpse. Destinations, such as Indonesia or Maldives , are perfect for those eager to explore by the underwater world. Most yachts are equipped with professional diving equipment and enough space for a large group of divers. Besides having access to Dive Masters onboard, some yachts even have an accredited PADI Diving School onboard. In this case you would essentially be diving from the complete comfort of a modern atmospheric ship at bucket-list dive sites.

The uniqueness of snorkelling is that this family-friendly activity can get you close to reefs and experience similar things than when scuba diving . Watch reef sharks hunt, turtles munch and parrot fish swim by. Bright colours and plenty of action from above.

Photography

To capture our experiences we use photo & videography in most of the activities. For example, under-water photography and on bird watching excursions. Ask us about the yachts that have experience with photography.

Whale Watching

Seeing whales breach the surface in a calm cold-water bay or even more spectacular being in the water with these majestic animals is hard to compare to other yacht charter activities. Ask us about the possibilities to experience whales up and close.

The sound of the water hitting the boat as the sails do its work propelling your yacht forward! The silence of the ocean, with the wind in your face.

The yachts listed here are either made to sail, or can sail without use of engine.

Classic Double-Mast Yacht Charter

Mutiara laut - yacht review, itineraries offered by mutiara laut, select your preferred travel season:, bali to komodo, all inclusive family adventure, raja ampat to misool, a journey of a lifetime, swimming with whale sharks in cenderawasih bay, front seat to whale sharks, the komodo experience, explore komodo fully, the raja ampat experience, paradise on earth getaway, discover the spice islands, discover the spice routes of the old vco trade ships.

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Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Double handed sailing skills: Spinnaker hoists

• December 7, 2022

In the first of a new series on double handed sailing skills, Pip explains hoisting an asymmetric spinnaker with two onboard

Double handed sailing skills are increasingly important to master as the recent boom in double handed racing, both inshore and offshore, continues and boats designed for couples to cruise two-up become ever more popular. We now regularly see crews of two managing all sizes of boat, and sailing them with the same efficiency and expectations as full crews.

These techniques are designed for double handed crews sailing a yacht with an autopilot, and an asymmetric spinnaker. We’re sailing a J/99 , which has a fixed bowsprit and hanked-on jib. Thanks to Key Yachting for their support.

Learning to manage your autopilot well is as important as handling sails for all short-handed manoeuvres. As you start to gain experience it’s a good idea to record settings that have worked with wind angles and response levels for each manoeuvre, and include setting up the pilot in your checklists.

For spinnaker hoists set the pilot to a true wind angle to ensure you don’t get caught out by gusts or wind shifts. If you have a pilot that automatically switches between true and apparent wind, check which one you’re using. If true has not been selected, try turning the pilot off, pointing the boat downwind and then re-engaging wind mode. Failing that, manually select true wind mode.

If hoisting at a racing mark, you’ll set up the spinnaker and perform the pre-hoist actions while on compass mode or sailing at a high wind angle. If there’s the luxury of time and space, I perform the whole manoeuvre at a low wind angle to keep the foredeck relatively flat and the apparent wind low. Your hoisting wind angle needs to be low to decrease the apparent wind, but not so low the spinnaker is allowed to twist during the hoist. The stronger the breeze the lower you can sail; aim for between 150°-165° true wind angle.

Set the spinnaker bag underneath the jib. You may need to trim the jib in so the spinnaker can pass between the foot and the rail. Photo: Richard Langdon

Double handed skills: Set up to hoist

Once the pilot has control, the helmsman can move forward in the cockpit to ensure halyards, tackline and sheets will run free while the trimmer heads to the foredeck and plugs the spinnaker in. I always launch my spinnakers from the bag, rather than out of a forward hatch, when double handed sailing. The bag can be moved around the foredeck easily and keeps the sail well contained pre-hoist.

When and how you set up your bowsprit will depend on your boat. If flying an asymmetric from a conventional spinnaker pole, set it up before bringing the spinnaker on deck. If your bowsprit extends then set up the spinnaker and pull out the pole as part of your hoist. If you have a fixed bowsprit then roll straight into setting up the spinnaker.

Attach the bag to leeward, underneath the jib, making sure it is clipped on quite far forward to minimise the amount of tack exposed before the hoist. Attach the sheets, halyard and tackline. Check that you’ve not trapped lazy sheets under the spinnaker bag. Release the corners of the sail from the bag, but keep the bag itself loosely done up to avoid the spinnaker escaping too early.

Check halyard is clear to run and untwisted. Add marks to the halyard that show full hoist, visible at the mast and in the cockpit. Photo: Richard Langdon

At this point it’s a good idea to set the jib trim to the optimal position for a hoist. This may mean trimming it in. The function of the jib now is to provide a wind break behind which the spinnaker can go up. If headsails are too eased, the spinnaker halyard can end up fouling on the leech of the jib. As a rule of thumb, I trim the headsail so the foot is inside the guardrail and there’s enough room for the spinnaker to pass between the foot and the rail. If in doubt, trim the jib in.

Once the sail is plugged in and lines set, confirm by voice or hand signals that both crewmembers are ready and go for the hoist.

Double handed skills: The hoist

During the hoist, one crewmember will remain on the foredeck, the other will manage the cockpit and the pilot will drive. Communication is important and for the crew in the cockpit it’s essential to remain facing forward, and trying to keep a good view of the spinnaker if it snags or looks like it might come out of the bag early.

To ensure the tack does not escape from the bag, the tackline jammer must be open with the line clear to run. The foredeck crew can keep a hand on the forward end of the spinnaker bag if necessary.

Pull the tack to the end of the sprit. In lighter conditions you can pull the clew back to the shrouds, in stronger winds keep it in the bag. Photo: Richard Langdon

From the cockpit, pre-set the spinnaker sheet so the sail will fly loosely after the hoist. The sheet should be tight enough to stop the sail from flying forwards and flogging, but not so tight the spinnaker will fill and heel the boat over. The further back you pull the clew, the quicker your spinnaker will fill, so while learning or in more challenging conditions, keep the clew in the bag. For a quicker fill help the clew out of the bag placing the sail on the deck, inside the guardrails, this way it should be protected from the wind and safe from falling over the side. I aim for the clew to be pulled back level with the shrouds, and then locked off on the winch.

Once the sheet is set, pull the tack to the end of the sprit. The foredeck crew may need to open the front of the bag and help the tack out and over the pulpit. At this point the sail may start to inflate so keep the back of the spinnaker bag closed – in windier conditions consider wooling the kite (see panel above right). Once the tack is at the end of the pole, lock it off in the cockpit, open the spinnaker bag and move quickly on to the hoist.

The hoist should be performed with one crew at the mast and the other tailing in the cockpit. Keep the jammer closed, but don’t put a turn around the winch unless you intend to grind the halyard; this will only add friction to the system. It’s a great idea to have cam cleats on the mast so the foredeck crew can temporarily lock off the halyard before it loads up. These should only ever be used as a temporary measure and the halyard always tailed through to the main jammer as soon as possible after the hoist.

Hoist, with one crewmember at the mast and another tailing in the cockpit, the boat driving under autopilot. Photo: Richard Langdon

Place full hoist marks on the halyard, at the mast and by the cockpit jammers so that both crew can easily see if the sail is up, even in the dark. If you’re not able to hoist the sail in one go, you can either ease the spinnaker sheet until the sail flogs and then sweat the halyard at the mast, or for smaller distances load the halyard onto a winch and grind up the rest without easing the sheet. After the hoist, drop or furl the jib – the spinnaker may not fly until the jib is either eased, or dropped.

As soon as your spinnaker is in the air, think about how you are going to drop it. Flake your lazy sheet, halyard, tackline and stow them in a place where they can easily be managed.

Once the spinnaker is set, drop or furl the jib, then flake the spinnaker halyard and get set up ready to drop as soon as possible. Photo: Richard Langdon

Snuffers take some of the risk out of hoisting and dropping spinnakers but will add weight to the top of the rig and the resulting sail may end up compromised on size, volume and hoist height.

Set up for the hoist in the same way, attaching lines, setting the bowsprit and pulling out the tack. You could drop your jib before hoisting the snuffer as working on a clean foredeck can make it easier to manage snuffer lines, but remember the jib can still provide some shelter in windy conditions. Do not pre-set your spinnaker sheet prior to hoisting a snuffer – it’s important the clew does not pull out before the sock is raised.

Hoist the spinnaker in the sock, making sure the snuffer lines go up cleanly with the sock. If your spinnaker halyard is well above the forestay it might be possible to lead the snuffer lines around the front of the boat and unsnuff the sail from a position to windward of the forestay. This may not work for fractional sails, where to avoid friction against the forestay a position to leeward can be better.

Ensure the spinnaker sheet is pulled on at the same rate the sock is being lifted. If necessary, pause on hoisting the sock to allow the sheet to catch up. If the spinnaker starts to fill from the bottom, it can funnel air up into the sock and the snuffer will lift on its own, this is fine so long as the foredeck crew has their feet clear of the snuffer line and is only pulling on the upline. They simply need to keep pulling the upline to take up the slack.

Once the sail is flying, tie off the snuffer upline to ensure the sock does not drop down over the head of the sail. I bring mine back to U-bolts at the base of the mast with quick release knots. Try to keep the up and down lines separate so they do not twist, and it’s a great idea to have a coloured mark on the down line so it’s easy to identify in the dark.

Read the full Pip Hare double handed sailing series on Yachting World and watch the double handed sailing videos on Youtube .

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• Sailboat Guide
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Charles Morgan was already well known as a designer of one particularly successful racer, ‘Paper Tiger’, when he started building another of his designs, the TIGER CUB, on his own. But it wasn’t until 1965 when he joined forces with long time friend, Bruce Bidwell, and began to build the successful MORGAN 34. This was followed, most notably, by the MORGAN 24, 30, 41, and 45. The OUT ISLAND 41, introduced in 1970, became legendary as a no-frills, center-cockpit standard, especially in the charter trade. Charles Morgan’s involvement in the company ended in 1972. Since that time, the company was passed from one corporate entity to another, until it came into the hands of Catalina Yachts in 1984. Catalina continued with a few models, including the OUT ISLAND 41, before the Morgan name was retired.

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Single mast or double mast?

Discussion in ' Boat Design ' started by ExileMoon , Jul 3, 2017 .

• double mast sailing boat

ExileMoon Junior Member

I'm thinking of a 40-foot sailboat. According to the common practice, do ordinary ding sailing. So that the height of the mast will be relatively large, the bottom of the ship had to install the protruding keel to ballast. I would like to be able to make a shallow draft boat, the mast made of two, so that in the case of the same sail area, the mast height can be lower. This does not require a deep draft of the balloon. The lower mast does not need to be reinforced with a cable, so the whole structure is relatively simple. Some people say that this boat is called "old man ship". Meaning that the boat is easier to operate and does not need to be adjusted too much. I think it should be a good thing. But this kind of double mast sailboat rarely seen. What is the reason?  

PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

To directly answer your question, this isn't a rare rig and is fairly common, though certainly not as common as other more conventional divided rigs. It seems you're making some uninformed assumptions about righting moments, shoal draft 40' yachts, free standing rigs, etc. You'd be best advised to seek a set of plans, stock, semi or full custom for your shoal draft 40'er, as you don't have the understanding (yet) to self design a craft of this scale.  

Angélique aka Angel (only by name)

Hi Exile Moon,​ See the below links for info about the Cat Ketch rig of which most also goes for a 40'er, and an example of a design that features the goals you mentioned . . B&B Yacht Designs ---> Why a Cat Ketch ? ​ Tad Roberts ' Bluewater Future Cruiser series: - 28' - - - 38' - - - 44' mk II ​ ↑ Tad Roberts Bluewater Future Cruiser 44' mk II sketch, which has the below comments incorporated in the design. ↑ ​ Boat Bits ---> April 03, 2012: Some short list musing = Quote source ---> Februari 27, 2012: A quick chat with Tad Roberts ‘‘ . . . . What changes would I make? Well for one, I'd look seriously at bringing out the coachroof to the hull sides as I've always wanted a flush deck boat and the added strength would be no bad thing. I like the rig as drawn but I can't help thinking that a high aspect balanced lug schooner with jib would seriously rock the house and surprise a whole lot of folks on a performance level... That said, just as it is, it is some seriously awesome boat! . . . . ’’ Good luck !!  

Have a look at a "Freedom 40" and, maybe do some more research.  

Here's a drawing of the Freedom 40 AC and the 40 CC , you can't build for the money that buys you a good used one, and you'll sail right away . . - - - - - - - - - - Very capable boats, but they need beach legs to stand upright when drying out and they're not as shallow as the Tad Roberts Future Cruiser kind of boats. Below a Freedom 35 centerboard version which is for sale in the Netherlands, but for safety reasons I'm not happy with the far off center companionway she sports... ​ Good luck !  

Windship277 Previous Member

Angélique said: ↑ Hi Exile Moon,​ See the below links for info about the Cat Ketch rig of which most also goes for a 40'er, and an example of a design that features the goals you mentioned . . B&B Yacht Designs ---> Why a Cat Ketch ? ​ Tad Roberts ' Bluewater Future Cruiser series: - 28' - - - 38' - - - 44' mk II ​ ↑ Tad Roberts Bluewater Future Cruiser 44' mk II sketch, which has the below comments incorporated in the design. ↑ ​ Boat Bits ---> April 03, 2012: Some short list musing = Quote source ---> Februari 27, 2012: A quick chat with Tad Roberts ‘‘ . . . . What changes would I make? Well for one, I'd look seriously at bringing out the coachroof to the hull sides as I've always wanted a flush deck boat and the added strength would be no bad thing. I like the rig as drawn but I can't help thinking that a high aspect balanced lug schooner with jib would seriously rock the house and surprise a whole lot of folks on a performance level... That said, just as it is, it is some seriously awesome boat! . . . . ’’ Good luck !! Click to expand...

Angélique said: ↑ Here's a drawing of the Freedom 40 AC and the 40 CC , you can't build for the money that buys you a good used one, and you'll sail right away . . - - - - - - - - - - Very capable boats, but they need beach legs to stand upright when drying out and they're not as shallow as the Tad Roberts Future Cruiser kind of boats. Below a Freedom 35 centerboard version which is for sale in the Netherlands, but for safety reasons I'm not happy with the far off center companionway she sports... ​ Good luck ! Click to expand...

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ExileMoon said: ↑ View attachment 134272 View attachment 134273 I'm thinking of a 40-foot sailboat. According to the common practice, do ordinary ding sailing. So that the height of the mast will be relatively large, the bottom of the ship had to install the protruding keel to ballast. I would like to be able to make a shallow draft boat, the mast made of two, so that in the case of the same sail area, the mast height can be lower. This does not require a deep draft of the balloon. The lower mast does not need to be reinforced with a cable, so the whole structure is relatively simple. Some people say that this boat is called "old man ship". Meaning that the boat is easier to operate and does not need to be adjusted too much. I think it should be a good thing. But this kind of double mast sailboat rarely seen. What is the reason? Click to expand...

A-frame vs single mast rig, loads & weight on a cat

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Unusual center console design: Twin hulls forward, single hull aft (1987 MXI 21')

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7 M length 3.5 Breadth Round bottom without skeg & single OBM in the center line of vessel

turn this two man rowing shell into single?

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The Dali was just starting a 27-day voyage.

The ship had spent two days in Baltimore’s port before setting off.

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By Claire Moses and Jenny Gross

• Published March 26, 2024 Updated March 27, 2024

The Dali was less than 30 minutes into its planned 27-day journey when the ship ran into the Francis Scott Key Bridge on Tuesday.

The ship, which was sailing under the Singaporean flag, was on its way to Sri Lanka and was supposed to arrive there on April 22, according to VesselFinder, a ship tracking website.

The Dali, which is nearly 1,000 feet long, left the Baltimore port around 1 a.m. Eastern on Tuesday. The ship had two pilots onboard, according to a statement by its owners, Grace Ocean Investment. There were 22 crew members on board, the Maritime & Port Authority of Singapore said in a statement. There were no reports of any injuries, Grace Ocean said.

Before heading off on its voyage, the Dali had returned to the United States from Panama on March 19, harboring in New York. It then arrived on Saturday in Baltimore, where it spent two days in the port.

Maersk, the shipping giant, said in a statement on Tuesday that it had chartered the vessel, which was carrying Maersk cargo. No Maersk crew and personnel were onboard, the statement said, adding that the company was monitoring the investigations being carried out by the authorities and by Synergy Group, the company that was operating the vessel.

“We are horrified by what has happened in Baltimore, and our thoughts are with all of those affected,” the Maersk statement said.

The Dali was built in 2015 by the South Korea-based Hyundai Heavy Industries. The following year, the ship was involved in a minor incident when it hit a stone wall at the port of Antwerp . The Dali sustained damage at the time, but no one was injured.

Claire Moses is a reporter for the Express desk in London. More about Claire Moses

Jenny Gross is a reporter for The Times in London covering breaking news and other topics. More about Jenny Gross

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Cambridge do the double in 2024 Boat Race

Cambridge have done the double in the Boat Race, winning both the Men’s and Women’s races in a thrilling day of action on the Thames.

Despite both the Cambridge Men and Women’s Blue Boats starting as underdogs, Cambridge emerged victorious in both races.

In the 78th Women’s Race, despite Oxford taking an early lead, Cambridge caught up and then overtook Oxford. Oxford cox Joe Gellett raised an appeal at the end of the race, arguing that the Cambridge boat had crossed their path, but after a discussion with umpire Richard Phelps the appeal was dismissed.

In the 169th Men’s Race, Cambridge took an early lead but slowed towards the end with stroke Matt Edge struggling, but with his teammates digging in they held on for what was in the end a comfortable victory.

All in all it was a fantastic weekend for Cambridge, with the Light Blues dominating the results, with Goldie winning the Men’s Reserve race, and the Cambridge Men’s Lightweight and Women’s Lightweight Crews winning on Friday.

“This Boat Race just means so much, this Club just means so much” said victorious Men’s President Seb Benzecry.

“This season has been the most amazing season, it’s been challenging, we’ve pushed ourselves harder than any team I’ve been a part of before. We knew Oxford would pose a huge challenge this year to us, we knew we had to step on. I couldn’t be prouder of the ways the guys responded to that challenge, in a year when basically every single boat was an underdog.”

Women’s President Jenna Armstrong said she was almost pinching herself at the result.

“I almost can’t believe it. This year we were slated as the underdogs going in to the race. Our race plan was to go out and row our best race, go as fast as possible and hang on and wait for an opportunity to pop up - and that’s what we did.”

Cambridge University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice, who was watching her first Boat Race after joining in July last year, said it had been a fantastic weekend.

“It was brilliant, utterly brilliant – everything I expected and more,” she said. “This is my first time at the Boat Race obviously and I heard Oxford started as favourites so I didn’t expect Cambridge to come out ahead like this.

“I went out to see the Women’s Blue Boat training earlier this year and today I could see the fruits of the labour that they put in, going out every day at 5.30 in the morning – it’s incredible.”

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The victorious Cambridge Men and Women’s Blue Boat crews

Credit: Nordin Ćatić

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Cambridge continues Boat Race dominance with double victory over Oxford

LONDON — Cambridge extended its dominant run in the annual Boat Race with victories in the men’s and women’s events on a polluted River Thames on Saturday.

The men claimed a fifth trophy in six years — to lead 87-81 overall in the race between storied universities Oxford and Cambridge which dates to 1829 — while the women cruised to a seventh straight triumph for a 48-30 overall lead.

Crews had sunny conditions with just a light breeze ahead of launch time for the women’s race. Those pleasant conditions were in contrast to the news this week that high levels of E.coli, which can cause a range of serious infections and other side effects, was found along the course in southwest London.

All crews were issued safety guidance on a range of preventative measures, from covering up scrapes with waterproof plasters to ensuring rowers avoided swallowing any water that splashed up from the Thames.

Oxford won both coin tosses but opted for different starting points.

Both dark blue Oxford shells were seen as favorites for the 78th women’s and 169th men’s races.

The men’s race saw Cambridge take an early lead, Oxford draw level, and Cambridge lead by half a length and 1.52 seconds at Hammersmith Bridge. Cambridge settled into a smooth rhythm and left Oxford even further behind.

Then Cambridge stroke Matt Edge started flailing, his oar only just dipping in the water. Their 10-second lead was enough to hold off Oxford comfortably.

Testing by a campaign group found high levels of E.coli along the 4.2-mile (6.8-kilometer) course. The rowers were advised to use a “cleansing station” at the finish area as well as avoid the post-race tradition of throwing the winning cox into the water.

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

‘He took five bullets and returned to work on plankton’: the double lives of Ukraine’s Antarctic scientists

When the research team at Vernadsky base are not defending their homeland, they are on the frontline of the climate crisis

W hen Ukraine’s Antarctic research and supply vessel Noosfera left Odesa on its maiden voyage on 28 January 2022, it passed Russian warships in the Black Sea. A month later, Vladimir Putin launched Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighbour. Noosfera has not been back since.

“A few weeks later, and Noosfera would have been an important symbolic target for Russia,” said Vadym Tkachenko, a biologist who recently completed his second Antarctic winter at Ukraine’s Vernadsky base. The ship now supplies both Ukrainian and Polish Antarctic bases from Chile and South Africa twice a year, at the start and end of the winter.

Last week it crossed Drake Passage into the Southern Ocean and arrived with the 29th team of Ukrainian Antarctic scientists to be stationed at Vernadsky.

The base commander, Bogdan Gavrylyuk, has just completed his 18th tour and 10th winter in the Antarctic. He trained first as a soldier, then as a mechanic at Vernadsky. He then retrained as a geophysicist at the Institute of Radio Astronomy in Kharkiv and conducts research on electro-magnetism.

In three weeks, he will see his family for two days before returning to the frontline as a captain in the border guard. He has not been home for three years, but he is proud of his two jobs. “I was on the border in trenches and dugouts. Here, I’m on the border between what we know and what we’re learning. This is a very special place.”

T he base’s origins lie in the breakup of the USSR in 1991, when Russia kept the 12 Soviet Antarctic bases. But a third of the 12,000 specialist Antarctic scientists were from Ukraine, and they had nowhere to go.

Shortly afterwards, the British Antarctic Survey decided it no longer needed its Faraday base, on a rocky island on the Antarctic peninsula, 700 miles south of Tierra del Fuego. It was sold to Ukraine for a symbolic £1 in 1996 and renamed after the Ukrainian scientist Vladimir Vernadsky.

The only condition attached to the Vernadsky base was that the Ukrainians continued to monitor the weather, which has been recorded every three hours at the site since 1947. This is the longest continuous meteorological study in the Antarctic and has demonstrated unequivocally the increase in average temperatures, which now rarely fall below -20C (-4F).

“The ice is melting faster than ever before, and it rains when it used to snow,” says Gavrylyuk. “Last year for the first time ever there was no ice around the island.” The average temperature has risen by 3.5C (6.3F).

Weddell seals need sea ice and no longer breed around the base; and invasive bacteria and algae have been found in the sea. The view from Gavrylyuk’s office is a colony of Gentoo penguins that previously nested farther north, the air filled with their fishy smell and shrieks.

This year’s chicks stand still as their fluffy feathers moult; others dash around, chasing each other for food, leaping in and out of the water like a Disney cartoon. “The first breeding pair came in 2008, we now have 1,500 pairs of adults and over 2,000 chicks,” he says.

T he war may be geographically distant but for those on the base it is never far away. When news of the Russian invasion reached Vernadsky, the marine biologist Andrii Zotov hitched a lift on a yacht to Argentina, took a bus to Chile, flew to Poland and within two weeks was with an army unit on the frontline in Ukraine.

“He took five bullets and was too heavily injured to fight more,” says Tkachenko. “He returned to work on phytoplankton at the National Antarctic Scientific Centre in Kyiv. He will be back here for the handover.”

Tkachenko, meanwhile, is looking forward to meeting his first baby, born two months ago. In 2019, his wife, Oksana Savenko, an expert on humpback whales, became one of the first women in more than 20 years to live on the base. While women have historically been heavily under-represented on Antarctic research stations , in this expedition team there will be four women : three scientists and a doctor.

The base is a working complex of corrugated-iron housing and laboratories, machinery, tanks and radio masts. A wooden church, with the dimensions and bright colours of a beach hut, overlooks the generator building.

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Inside, a school desk acts as the altar, a dried-milk tin holds holy water, and posters of Jesus and Saint Vladimir adorn the chipboard walls. Unlike the Russian base on King George Island, 300 miles north in the South Shetlands, there is no priest here, only scientists, engineers and a cook.

Below a round trap door in the lab block’s roof sits “Virginia”, as the Dobson spectrophotometer, which measures the ozone layer, was christened by British scientists. It was here in 1985 that a hole in the ozone was first identified by its predecessor, “Daphne”. Since the banning of CFC chemical aerosols and fridges, the hole has stabilised, but monitoring it remains essential.

I n the long, dark Antarctic winters between March and October, the team socialise in the Faraday bar, a replica of an English village pub, complete with pool table and dartboard. Gavrylyuk is a talented musician who every winter writes songs about whales, seals and even plankton.

But now his guitar sits idly in the corner. “People might think this is a part of Ukraine that is at peace. The war is here too, for us and our families. Since the invasion of my home, I cannot play or sing,” he says sadly. “Only when we have peace again can I sing.”

Very few visitors and no tourists have been permitted to land at Vernadsky base since the pandemic. “We have too much work to do,” says Gavrylyuk. But he has welcomed Dr John Shears, a polar geographer, environmental scientist and recipient of the Polar Medal.

Shears worked here in 1991 and last visited Vernadsky as an Antarctic Treaty inspector in 2015. “Not much has changed since I was last here, but it’s definitely warmer,’” says Shears.

Biosecurity is strict: no organic matter, food or drink can be carried by visitors to the bases or beaches. Avian flu arrived on the Antarctic mainland last month. Initially found in scavenging skua birds, it has killed penguins and seals .

Since 1996, Ukraine has added more research into water quality, seals, whales, krill and phytoplankton – the building blocks of all sea life, and essential for global oxygen production and carbon dioxide absorption. All are affected by global warming and pollution.

Some Ukrainians believe government funds would be better spent on the war in Ukraine. But its president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, appreciates that the Vernadsky base reminds the world that Ukraine is a global player in science, which contributes to our understanding of the climate crisis, and not just a victim of Russia’s invasion.

• Seascape: the state of our oceans
• Polar regions

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Cambridge continue Boat Race dominance with famous double victory over Oxford

The men claimed a fifth trophy in six years, while the women cruised to a seventh straight triumph, article bookmarked.

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Cambridge University women celebrate a seventh straight Boat Race win

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Cambridge extended their dominant run in the Boat Race with victory in both the men’s and women’s showdowns.

The men claimed a fifth trophy in six years, while the women cruised to a seventh straight triumph.

Crews were blessed with sunny conditions, with temperatures reaching the mid-teens and just a light breeze blowing ahead of launch time for the women’s race at 2:46pm.

Those pleasant conditions were in contrast to the news earlier this week that high levels of E coli , which can cause a range of serious infections and other side effects, had been found along the championship course.

All crews were issued safety guidance on a range of preventative measures, from covering up scrapes with waterproof plasters to ensuring rowers avoided swallowing any water splashing up from the Thames.

• Cambridge rower Matt Edge collapses after Boat Race victory in scary moment
• Oxford rower complains about ‘too much poo in water’ after heartbreaking Boat Race loss to Cambridge
• Boat Race 2024 live: Results, times and updates as Cambridge secure stunning double over Oxford

Oxford won both coin tosses but opted for different starting points, with the women choosing Middlesex on the Fulham/Chiswick side of the course and the men beginning their quest at Surrey station on the Putney/Barnes side.

Both dark blue Oxford boats were seen as favourites for the 78th women’s and 169th men’s races.

The latter, umpired by Matthew Pinsent – himself a two-time Boat Race champion with Oxford – saw Cambridge take an early lead before Oxford quickly drew level, the four-time Olympic champion having to dish out early warnings as the boats drew close.

Cambridge took a narrow lead which saw them ahead by half a length and 1.52 seconds at Hammersmith Bridge, but settled into a smooth rhythm that left Oxford even further behind.

Cambridge University men’s team president Sebastian Benzecry lifts the trophy

Oxford, with just one returning crew member from last year’s loss, had fallen behind by more than 10 seconds by the time the crews reached the Chiswick steps, but it was not completely smooth sailing for the eventual victors.

Stroke Matt Edge was clearly flailing, his oar only just dipping in the water, but Cambridge’s lead proved too big an ask for Oxford as Edge’s crew rallied around their tiring teammate to claim another victory.

Bow and president Sebastien Benzecry paid tribute to Edge’s effort after the race, stating: “Credit to Matt, to go that deep, a lot of that margin was down to him.

“He was putting down a dynamic rhythm, it takes a lot out of you in the stroke seat. So proud of him, an amazing race.”

Oxford’s Leonard Jenkins revealed that the men’s team fell ill earlier in the day due to the E coli strain.

A general view as Cambridge lead Oxford during the men’s race

“I don’t have any words,” he told BBC Sport. “We had a clear plan of what we wanted to do. We had a really good set-up, the last couple of days have been amazing. It didn’t come together on the day, that’s disappointing. But I couldn’t be prouder of the guys. It’s been a great battle.

“It’s a shame the result doesn’t suit that, Cambridge showed their class and did to us what we wanted to do for them. Maybe experience [was the difference]? I’m not sure.

“I didn’t expect it to be such a big difference. I will also say, it’s in no way to take away from Cambridge. We’ve had a few guys go down pretty badly with the E coli strain. This morning, I was throwing up and I really wasn’t sure there was a chance for me to be in the boat. I kept that quiet, that’s on my shoulders.

“I’m not sure if that was the right choice because I didn’t feel like I had much to give. But it would have been taking one of the top guys out of [reserve boat] Isis and ruining their chances.

“I felt like we needed to give them a fair fight. It would have been ideal to not have so much poo in the water. That’s not to take away from Cambridge, I don’t know if we would have had a chance to beat them even if we were all on form.”

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Cambridge double their double against Oxford in boat race

E. coli worries.

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Last-gasp Marusic goal gives Lazio 1-0 home win over Juventus

A stoppage-time goal by Lazio defender Adam Marusic earned a 1-0 home win against third-placed Juventus in Serie A on Saturday, condemning Massimiliano Allegri's visitors to a fourth game without a win in his 500th match in the Italian top flight.

The Miami Heat head to Washington, D.C., on Sunday looking to stay within striking distance of a guaranteed playoff spot when they face the home-standing Washington Wizards.

Aleksander Barkov scored twice in the final eight minutes of regulation, helping the Florida Panthers rally to a 3-2 shootout win over the visiting Detroit Red Wings on Saturday afternoon at Sunrise, Fla.