sailboat motorsailer

Motorsailers: The Best of Sail and Power Combined

Motorsailers, the remarkable hybrid vessels that seamlessly blend sail and power capabilities, offer a world of possibilities for boating enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the reliability of motorsailer engines, their shorter draft design, the factors that impact their sailing performance, and the considerations regarding maintenance and upkeep. Additionally, we will highlight the benefits of motorsailers for long-distance cruising, particularly in coastal ocean areas.

Motorsailer Engine Reliability

One of the key advantages of motorsailers lies in the reliability of their engines. Traditional sailboats rely solely, more or less, on sails for propulsion. Motorsailers feature robust and efficient engines that provide reliable power when sailing conditions are unfavorable or when precise maneuvering is required. Motorsailers typically have larger engines and horsepower, similar to what you might see in a powerboat. 

This combination of sail and power allows motorsailers to navigate safely through calms, currents, or challenging passages. The engines in motorsailers are purposefully designed to be dependable. They often incorporate marine-grade components and systems that are built to withstand the demands of extended voyages and long-distance cruising.

Motorsailers Small Draft

Motorsailers stand out due to their smaller draft design. This enables access to shallow and remote areas that are off-limits to many other boats. This design feature allows motorsailers to explore coastal regions, including idyllic coves, hidden bays, and secluded islands that are rich in natural beauty.

By drawing less water, motorsailers can venture into shallow anchorages and navigate close to shorelines, enhancing the freedom and flexibility of coastal exploration.

Motorsailer Sailing Performance

it’s important to acknowledge that motorsailers may not match the pure sailing capabilities and performance of dedicated sailboats. Several factors contribute to this distinction. Firstly, motorsailers tend to have heavier displacement due to their robust construction, which can impact their upwind performance and overall speed under sail. The weight and design of motorsailers are optimized for the combined sail and power capabilities. This results in a compromise compared to specialized sailing vessels.

The sail area and rigging of motorsailers are typically designed to complement the vessel’s power characteristics, rather than being purely optimized for sailing performance. While motorsailers can still sail effectively and harness the wind efficiently, they may not provide the same level of speed or agility as dedicated sailboats. This consideration is essential for those seeking competitive racing or the adrenaline rush of high-speed sailing.

Motorsailer Means Double the Maintenance?

Additionally, the dual nature of motorsailers—incorporating both sail and power systems—implies double the maintenance and upkeep compared to single-purpose boats. Motorsailers require periodic maintenance and servicing of their engines, propulsion systems, and rigging. The presence of two distinct systems adds complexity to routine checks. Although, this can be mitigated through regular inspections, maintenance schedules, and partnering with experienced marine professionals.

Motorsailers and Long-Distance Cruising

Motorsailers are particularly well-suited for long-distance cruising in coastal ocean areas. Their versatile nature allows sailors to enjoy extended voyages with the efficiency and eco-friendliness of sailing. When favorable winds prevail, motorsailers can hoist their sails and harness the power of nature. This reduces fuel consumption and provides a serene and eco-conscious experience.

This is especially advantageous in coastal ocean areas, where reliable winds are often available for extended periods. In the absence of favorable sailing conditions, the reliable engines of motorsailers ensure that progress can be made. Thus enabling the vessel to reach its destination safely and efficiently.

Top Motorsailers on the Market:

Nordhavn is a renowned brand known for its exceptional motorsailers and trawler yachts. They offer a range of motorsailers that combine the best features of sail and power, providing comfortable and reliable vessels for long-distance cruising. Nordhavn motorsailers are built with robust construction, luxurious interiors, and efficient power systems. This makes Nordhavn a popular choice among boating enthusiasts who value both sail and power capabilities.

Nauticat motorsailers are a pinnacle of elegance, craftsmanship, and performance. With a rich heritage and meticulous attention to detail, these Finnish-built vessels showcase the perfect marriage of traditional aesthetics and modern technology.

Nauticat motorsailers excel in both sailing and power capabilities. Nauticat motorsailers offer exhilarating sailing experiences and reliable engines for when the winds are calm or maneuvering is required. The spacious and luxurious interiors provide a comfortable living space for extended voyages, while customizable options allow owners to create a personalized onboard sanctuary. With a commitment to excellence and a legacy of quality, Nauticat motorsailers continue to captivate sailors with their timeless beauty and exceptional seafaring abilities.

Fisher motorsailers embody the spirit of adventure and ruggedness. They are designed to conquer both the open sea and challenging coastal waters. Renowned for their distinctive pilothouse design and robust construction, Fisher motorsailers have become synonymous with strength and reliability. Built with seafaring capabilities in mind, these vessels are well-suited for long-distance cruising and offshore passages.

With their raised pilothouse providing excellent visibility and shelter, Fisher motorsailers allow for comfortable and confident navigation in various weather conditions. The spacious and practical interiors offer a cozy and functional living space, catering to the needs of adventurous sailors who appreciate a blend of power and sail. Whether navigating remote coastlines or embarking on extended voyages, Fisher motorsailers are a trusted companion, ready to withstand the elements and provide unforgettable seafaring experiences.

Conclusion:

Motorsailers offer a unique and versatile boating experience, combining the advantages of both sail and power systems. Their reliable engines, shorter draft design, and versatility make them ideal for long-distance cruising, particularly in coastal ocean areas. While their sailing performance may not match that of dedicated sailboats, motorsailers compensate with their ability to access shallow areas and their efficient utilization of wind power. By understanding the distinct characteristics and considerations of motorsailers, boating enthusiasts can embrace the best of both worlds and embark on unforgettable adventures on the water.

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Confidence and Comfort in Cruising

The Rumors are True.

Sailboat vs. Motorsailer | How They Compare & How They Differ?

Sailing as a hobby is a fun, relaxing, and often invigorating experience. People from all backgrounds can enjoy setting sail and taking in the fresh humid air. If you’re just getting acquainted with the sailing world—or even if you’ve been around boats for years—there are tons of things to learn. There are many different types of sailboats, and there are various uses for each type. Many people consider sailboats vs. motorsailers and how they compare and differ. When making a purchase, you want to make sure you’re getting the best boat for your needs.

What are the differences between traditional sailboats and motorsailers? There are big differences in cruising when it comes to sailboats vs. motorsailers, but the main difference is that sailboats are powered by the force of the wind, while motorsailers use an engine to sail.

Read on to learn how sailboats and motorsailers compare, as well as some things they have in common.

Sailboats vs. Motorsailers: What’s the Difference and How Do You Choose?

People have been sailing on the water for centuries. Since their beginning, boats have been used for many different reasons, from trade to protection to sport! Depending on your personal preferences, you may choose either a pure sailboat or a motorsailer.

While a motorsailer is a type of sailboat, it still has many aspects that set it apart from the pure sailboat, specifically what makes the boat move forward in the water. Choosing which boat is best for you should be based on your preferences and skills when it comes to sailing. (And remember, you don’t have to get tied down to just one boat. Many sellers provide the option of renting boats for those who want to test the waters first. No pun intended. )

When you’re deciding to purchase either a traditional sailboat or a motorsailer, you must consider what your goals are with sailing and cruising. Asking yourself the following questions before you start shopping is a great way to narrow down your search:

• Are you a beginner in sailing?
• What is your budget?
• Do you plan on traveling long distances?
• Do you want to have passengers with you, or do you prefer to sail alone?
• Do you plan on living aboard the boat?
• What type of body of water do you plan on sailing?
• What do you plan on using your boat for?

Each boat comes with its own benefits and disadvantages. It’s up to you, the sea voyager, to do your research, learn about each type, talk to professionals, and decide which is best for you.

Fortunately for you, we put together this complete guide to learning about and purchasing these vessels. Continue reading to learn about some facts and features of each to get started on your journey.

Sailboats: How They Work and If They’re Right for You

When you close your eyes and think of sailboats, what do you see? You may think of peaceful, quiet afternoons on a breezy bay, cruising in the wind. However, over the years, these boats have advanced to become capable of so much more than their humble roots. Sailboats can race, go long distances—whatever you can dream of!

But what exactly are sailboats? Sailboats are small, personal vehicles that are propelled by sails smaller than sailing ships. They use the force of the wind to sail forward.

There are many different types of sailboats that range from small sailing dinghies to large, luxurious yachts over 200 feet long. The classification all depends on their size and purpose.

How Do Sailboats Work?

Sailboats don’t have to be complicated. They have a few common parts that each have their purpose when it comes to propelling the vessel. To put it simply, sailboats are powered and propelled by the wind.

Each common sailboat has the following components:

• The Hull is the shell of the boat that contains its internal components. It has a symmetrical shape that balances the boat and reduces the backward pull from its movement in the water.
• The Tiller is a piece that can be compared to a car’s steering wheel.
• If the tiller is the steering wheel, the Rudder is the boat’s “tire.”
• The Mainsail is the larger sail that takes in the bulk of the wind to propel the boat forward.
• The Mast is a long vertical pole.
• The Boom is a long pole that’s parallel to the deck. This can be rotated 360 degrees horizontally to give the mainsail as much wind as possible.
• The Jib is a smaller, triangular sail that adds power to the mainsail.
• The Keel is a slim plank that extends from the bottom of the hull. It provides balancing underwater that keeps the boat from tipping.

When the boom is pivoted perpendicular to the wind, the mainsail will puff outward. It’s pretty well-known about sailing that you want the wind at your back in order to give your boat the most force to move forward.

These types of boats mainly rely on ballast for stability, which can be 30-50% of the boat’s weight.

Exploring the Types of Sailboats

Your options are endless when it comes to the traditional sailboat. There are many different types of sailboats, which are all categorized by their components:

• Hull type: catamaran, monohull, trimaran
• Keel type: fin, wing, bilge, daggerboard, or centerboard
• Mast and sail configuration: sloop, fractional rig sloop, yawl, schooner, ketch, yawl, cutter, cat

Want to move fast? The speed a boat can reach will depend on its build and its size. Racing boats tend to be sleek, light, and slim. Large, bulky ships tend to cruise more slowly due to drag and friction.

Who Are Sailboats Good for?

Sailboats have a long history; in the past, they were used as early as Ancient Egyptian times. The Egyptians used sails to travel upstream against the Nile River’s current. They were also used to create international trade routes.

Today, people use them for many things, but most often for recreation. Cruising and racing are some of the most popular hobbies of sailboat owners. Small dinghies tend to be better for racing. There are even professional sailboat racing teams!

You can cruise a sailboat in a variety of bodies of water like lakes, rivers, canals, coastal waters, and, of course, oceans. Many people choose sailboats for quick daytime sailing or weekend getaways. Sail solo, or bring a crew of your friends aboard for a great time!

Pros and Cons of Using a Traditional Sailboat

As with anything using a traditional sailboat comes with its advantages and disadvantages. Here are a few you should consider:

• Over the years, advanced technology has allowed manufacturers to make sailboats more sturdy, but remain light at the same time. This allows them to move swiftly with little wind but remain durable cruise after cruise.
• Sailboats are a great option for people who want to learn the process of manual sailing.
• Because sailboats rely on environmental factors, you often have to wait for ideal weather and wind conditions before hitting the water. You need a calm patch of waves and ideal wind to have a good cruise.
• Next, sailboats don’t roll very much; they reach an angle of heel and pretty much remain there. The heel will depend on how much wind you get and how much sail you have. And the sail will depend on how hard you want to push the boat to get to your destination. This process will require some packing up, often more than what is required for cruising with a motorsailer.

When considering the cost of a sailboat, understand that it goes beyond simply the purchase price. You must also account for costs like insurance, dock fees, regular maintenance, upgrades, and more. Speak with a professional sailboat salesperson as you’re making your decision. Try to get the best recommendations for your budget and your needs.

Motorsailers: How They Work and If They’re Right for You

Motorsailers are a type of sailing vessel that is powered with an inboard engine in addition to its sails. Owners of this boat have the option to use the power of the engine or wind to the sails to move the boat.

These hybrid boats are great at aiding with propulsion backup and roll reduction. The added bonus is that you get to enjoy the fun of sailing, while also having the option to kick back and let the engine do its work if you want.

How Do Motorsailers Work?

The first version of the motorsailer came about after the invention of the steam engine. Back then, navies were wary about these new engines and instead relied on a large sailing rig as a backup for propelling their fighting ships. Unfortunately, many of these first powersailers were faulty and did not work well. Since then, we’ve made many advancements to the design and capabilities of the motorsailers we see on the water today.

Motorsailers can be equally powered by both the internal engine and the sails. These boats often have a large fixed propeller to aid in movement along the water.

Don’t confuse these boats with a powerboat. While they have a large engine like a powerboat, the motorsailer can still work well with wind alone. Many engines in boats are used as a backup, but the motorsailer’s engine was built to propel the boat forward with similar displacement speeds as traditional trawlers.

A cool feature of the motorsailer is its enclosed cockpit, also known as a doghouse. Some models may also come with a higher freeboard than pure sailboats. The inboard drive unit protrudes through the keel, which is sometimes more shallow than a vessel built purely for sailing.

Although many models of motorsailers are spacious and known for their luxury, much of the boat’s space is dedicated to fuel storage.

Exploring the Types of Motorsailers

The types of motorsailers vary. Many are built with luxury accommodations and are great options for living aboard. The size of motorsailers ranges from 35 feet or longer, up to 245 feet, often with two to three cabins. Motorsailers are a great option if you want to cruise overnight and sail in the day time.

Motorsailers come in a variety of types, which all depend on the ratio of sail propulsion to power. (These range from 30 percent sail/ 70 percent power up to 70 percent sail/ 30 percent power.)

Who Are Motorsailers Good for?

Motorsailers are great for long cruises because they are more comfortable, coming with a lot more space than traditional sailboats. They can be customized inside to be as welcoming as your home on land.

You can comfortably take them offshore in between ports or other anchorages fairly quickly. It all depends on the boat’s fuel tanks and its rate of consumption.

Once you get to know how to use motorsailers, you can get great sailing synergy. This can produce a net gain in speed over what would be possible by just using one method of propulsion. Three knots of fuel can get you seven to 10 knots of boat speed.

These types of boats are great for people who are trying to decide between a pure sailboat and a powerboat. If you can’t make that final decision, these boats are an ideal combination for indecisive boat-goers.

Pros and Cons of Using a Motorsailer

• The motorsailer is often more convenient for a lot of people than pure sailboats. It allows you to have those lazy days when you don’t feel like setting up your sails.
• These vessels can sit in flat water with minimal rolling. This minimizes the amount of packing up and strapping down for your decorations and personal kit. You just need to make sure you have ideal bilge keels or gyro-driven stabilizers.
• Motorsailers can tackle a wide range of weather and sea conditions without damage or discomfort. They’re able to keep up a decent speed even if there is little to no wind. They’re also pretty nimble with the sail alone under a decent breeze.
• This boat may be bulkier and heavier, which allows for more space for accommodations inside the boat.
• One disadvantage of the motorsailer is the heeling angle. The wide stern and heavy displacement isn’t ideal for sailing. However, many owners of these boats still can cruise this way in a decent manner. The big keel can tend to slow you down a bit, but many sailors can cruise at a decent speed.
• There is often a smaller rig on these boats, which may affect the sailing speed. Motorsailers come with more weight because of the engine and their larger gas and water tanks.
• Many sailors say that because the boat is built half for sailing and half for powering, it’s only half as good at each use. While there may be some truth to this statement, many owners of motorsailers get along just fine and enjoy their powering and sailing.

There are many benefits to purchase (or even rent) a sailboat or motorsailer. Consider the facts and features for each of these boats when you’re choosing which boat to purchase or rent. And remember: there is no right or wrong answer to sailing. It’s all about your preferences, your style, your budget, and your needs.

It’s Time to Get Sailing!

Now that you understand some of the different types of sailboats and how they compare to motorsailers, it’s time to get out on the water. Choose the vessel that works for you, then enjoy your journey.

And if you’re new to sailing, check out more articles like this one on this blog to continue learning. You have countless options when it comes to your sailing experience. Determine what your interests are, learn about them, and join a community of sailors to keep growing your knowledge around this great hobby.

I am the owner of sailoradvice. I live in Birmingham, UK and love to sail with my wife and three boys throughout the year.

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Dissecting the Motorsailer

Posted by Ted Brewer | Boat Reviews

A professional yacht designer says you might be happier with one

The summer winds are fickle and light in many of the waters of North America. I’ve sailed in a number of them: Lake Ontario, Long Island Sound, the Chesapeake, and the Pacific Northwest to name a few. It’s quite common in these waters to see cruising sailboats motoring along contentedly with their sails neatly furled and covered, rather than bickering with vagrant and weary breezes and the contrary tides.

In the Northwest it’s not unusual to see skippers motoring even when the wind is fair as, in the many miles of narrow channels and reaches, an adverse tide will often carry the yacht to leeward faster than the breeze can move her to weather! Other skippers will use the engine and sails in combination in order to obtain the maximum possible performance since tacking up one of these channels can be an exercise in futility when the tide is strong against you.

These owners are using their auxiliary cruisers as if they were motorsailers. Many of them might be happier if they had a true motorsailer, as it would offer the type of cruising they prefer. Motorsailers are not necessarily sluggards under sail either. Many perform as well as a typical ocean- going auxiliary cruiser, while at the same time offering more comfortable accommodations and a well-protected helm in an all-weather pilothouse.

In 1969 I sailed a TransPac race aboard Mystic , a 56-foot ketch-rigged motorsailer of my design. During the race we ate three hearty meals every day (including roast beef with York- shire pudding), enjoyed a friendly happy hour during the first dog watch, and were able to lounge and relax on her broad quarterdeck when off watch. We were still eating three squares a day when it blew a gale.

Motion fatigue

Other boats were reporting spar or rudder damage and “crew fatigue” (a euphemism for “seasick enough to die”). The result was a rested and contented crew that pushed Mystic hard. With strong and favorable winds, we were able to finish second in Class B, and that’s not bad for a clipper-bowed, full-keeled motorsailer with a raised poop deck and a great cabin aft, racing against some fast fin-keeled speedsters.

Power/sail combinations are not new, of course, and the oared galleys of the Mediterranean carried Phoenicians, Greeks, Turks, and Romans for well over a thousand years on trading missions and military expeditions. The Vikings further perfected the oceangoing power/sail vessel and traveled as far as Greenland and North America in their light, but rugged, ships.

It wasn’t until the invention of the steam engine that the first motorsailers were developed, though. Then the navies, distrusting the radical new engines, insisted on a large sailing rig as backup propulsion on their fighting ships. These vessels, according to Douglas Phillips-Birt, a well-known British yachting writer, were “the worst powersailers the world has ever seen . . . of uncertain reliability under power and sometimes actively dangerous under sail.” Fortunately, we’ve learned a bit since those days so that modern motorsailers can combine the best of both worlds instead of being potential floating disasters.

There are some basic problems in the design of a successful motorsailer though, and these cannot be ignored. Essentially, the hull form desirable for efficient powering at higher dis- placement speeds (a V/L .5 of 1.34 or slightly above) requires a prismatic coefficient (Cp) of 0.63 to 0.64 and means a quite full stern with substantial width and depth. This is completely unsuitable for good all- around performance under sail, so auxiliary yachts generally have a Cp of 0.54 to 0.56, with finer ends, to suit their hulls to the varying speeds provided by the fickle wind. In essence, the hull shape desirable for an efficient displacement motor yacht is very different from that of a sailing yacht, so every motorsailer must be a compromise.

The sailplan of a 37-footer in the popular Fisher line.

Ballast problem

A second problem is that of ballast. The offshore sailing yacht requires a good ballast ratio, at least 25 percent and up to 45 percent of the total displacement, to give it the stability necessary to stand up to a breeze. However, every pound of unnecessary weight detracts from a motor yacht’s efficiency and performance. In addition, the sailing yacht requires relatively deep draft to provide lateral plane for weatherliness. This adds to wetted area and increases resistance under power. This is one of the reasons that many early motorsailers were keel/centerboard yachts.

For these and other reasons, motorsailers come in a wide variety of types, depending upon the ratio of sail propulsion to power, from the 30/70 (30 percent sail and 70 percent power propulsion) to the 70/30, with many varieties of yachts in between these two extremes.

The 30/70 is primarily a motor yacht but will have considerably more rig than just a “steadying” sail, barely sufficient to slow the roll. The yacht’s primary motive power will be a husky engine, perhaps sufficient to drive her to a V/L .5 ratio of 1.34 or even slightly more. This requires a hull with a high Cp, in the 0.63 to 0.65 range, and such a vessel will resemble a displacement powerboat more than she will a sailboat.

Draft will be relatively shoal and ballast will be light or even non-existent so the yacht’s stability will be moderate. To keep the heeling moment commensurate, the rig will be of fairly small area and low aspect ratio, with a mainsail luff/foot ratio of 2.0 or even less. Actually such a sail develops higher thrust per square foot of area when the wind is abaft the beam than does a high-aspect-ratio rig (luff/foot ratio of 3.0 or more) so the low-aspect-ratio rig with its smaller heeling moment is doubly suited to the 30/70. The yacht will have the ability to sail off the wind and, perhaps, even reach along slowly in favorable conditions, but she will require her engine to assist the sails to drive her to windward.

The profile of a 37-footer in the popular Fisher line.

Needs extra urge

A particularly nice example of this type is the 1949 Sparkman & Stephens design, Maraa . This ruggedly hand- some 40-footer achieved 10 knots under power and had a 1,000-mile range with her 500 gallons of fuel. However, her SA/D ratio of under 8.0 will not provide sparkling performance unless her husky diesel is supplying considerable extra urge.

A step up from the 30/70 is the 50/50, but in between these two we might see something like the Fisher 37 with a Disp./LWL ratio of over 400, 42.8 percent ballast ratio, and an SA/D ratio of only 9.25. We might call her a 40/60, but she will still require considerable engine power to contribute to her sail power for reasonable performance to windward. Even having the engine ticking over at a fast idle can make a substantial difference in reduced leeway and improved weatherliness. It is rather a synergistic effect as the drive of the engine increases boat speed which, in turn, increases the speed of the apparent wind and the propulsive power of the sails.

The 50/50 is an even closer balance of sail and power, and my 1970 design, the 44-foot centerboard ketch, Zig Zag , is one example of the type. She had a Disp./LWL ratio of 345, an SA/D ratio of 11 and a Cp of 0.56. Powered by an 80-horsepower diesel, this husky motorsailer toured the western world from the blue Danube to the Mississippi River and points between. She was equally at home in oceans, lakes, rivers, and canals.

From her builders in Holland, Zig Zag cruised to Denmark and then motored down through the canals to the Mediterranean, which she covered thoroughly from Constantinople to Gibraltar. A transatlantic passage took her to the Caribbean and from there she island-hopped to Florida, over to ol’ Miss and up that mighty river to Chicago.

The Great Lakes took her to the Erie Canal, and then it was down the Hudson to New York and up the east coast to Maine, where I had the pleasure of seeing her skipper again and having dinner aboard.

From Maine, she sailed to Florida once more and zigzagged through the Caribbean to the Panama Canal. At last, Zig Zag pointed her bows north, to finally arrive at her home port of Sacramento, nine years after her launch.

At top, Maraa, a handsome S&S 30/70, designed 53 years ago. Center, Ahquabi — it’s hard to say, is she a 75/25 or an 80/20? Below, Mystic.

The Danube waltz

Her second voyage was equally ad- venturous involving a 90-mile journey on a flatbed trailer, from a German canal to the Danube. After that it was the Blue Danube waltz through Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and Rumania to the Black Sea and back to Constantinople. It is fortunate that Zig Zag’s masts were tabernacle mounted, as the spars must have been up and down like fiddlers’ elbows on these land/sea voyages!

The 50/50 will often, like Zig Zag, be a centerboarder or perhaps sport twin bilge fins in order to keep draft shoal and still provide the lateral area necessary to minimize leeway. The hull will be finer and deeper than the 30/70, with a Cp in the 0.55 to 0.60 range, and will have a reasonable ballast ratio, say 20 to 35 percent, in order to carry a more efficient rig for windward work. Her sail area will be greater, with SA/D ratios of 10 to 12 and the rig taller, with luff/boom ratios of 2.5 or so. Such a vessel will sail to windward, tacking through 100 to 110 degrees perhaps and, when pushed with a fast idling engine, she might well surprise the skippers of pure auxiliary yachts.

Hoisting sail causes the boat to heel of course, and this can in crease resistance by 20 percent or more. The engine, running at a fast idle, can offset this increased drag and add considerably to the efficiency of the sail/power combination.

A well- designed 50/50, under sail and power, will point as high, make as little leeway, and probably produce as many knots as a good auxiliary cruiser/racer — and do it more comfortably. To many skippers, this is the best of two worlds.

Excellent performance

Between the 50/50 and the 70/30, we have motorsailers that can offer excellent sailing performance and have hull forms that are akin to the pure auxiliary in many ways. The 60/40 is represented here by my 1967 Mystic . This husky 56-foot center- board ketch has a Disp./LWL ratio of only 240, very low for her era; a SA/Disp. ratio of 15.5; and a Cp of 0.57. She often achieved V/L .5 ratios of over 1.6 when reaching and running in a good breeze and, with her board down, sailed reasonably to weather considering her shoal 6-foot draft. Mystic did not like light air though; her sail area was moderate and her wetted area was on the high side due to her long, full keel.

The 70/30 motorsailer closely resembles the pure auxiliary in hull form, general performance, and wind-ward ability. Indeed, the contemporary 70/30 will often be of fin-keel design and of moderate displacement with a good ballast ratio and a modern high- aspect ratio rig. The biggest difference between the pure auxiliary cruiser and the 70/30 seems to lie more with shallower draft, increased accommodations, and helm protection on the motorsailer.

The Scandinavian countries have produced some interesting production motorsailers. The late 1970s Finnsailer 38 is a good example with a low-wetted-area, fin- keel/spade-rudder hull of 263 Disp./LWL ratio. Her rig is low and the SA/D ratio is still on the low side at 11.6, so a big genoa will be essential for light air. But the hull should prove quite weatherly, and performance should be generally good.

My own impression of this yacht is that, given her 20,000-pound displacement and 11-foot 6-inch beam, she could readily carry a taller rig and another 150 to 175 square feet of sail. Actually, for windward sailing a high-aspect ratio rig, one with a luff/foot ratio of 3.0 or higher, is desirable for the efficient 70/30 motorsailer, as such a rig develops increased drive along with reduced side force when the wind is forward of the beam.

Higher displacement

The modern 70/30 will resemble the auxiliary cruiser in most respects. She may have a slightly higher Cp, say 0.55 to 0.58, and will usually have somewhat higher displacement in order to carry the weight of a larger engine and fuel capacity. There will be more consideration given to helm protection, perhaps, and she will usually sport a centerboard, winged keel, or twin fins to keep the draft reasonable.

Indeed, modern pilothouse auxiliary cruisers, when designed with fin keels and given generous power, have all the attributes of a 70/30 motorsailer. I’m not certain whether Ahquabi is an auxiliary or a 70/30. Her 39,000-pound displacement and 5-foot 11-inch draft on a 38-foot waterline might well place her in the latter category despite the tall rig with 1,153 square feet of sail, and a 16.04 SA/D ratio. Perhaps we should call her a 75/25 or even an 80/20.

The amount of power required to motor the yacht along at or near hull speed can vary widely depending on the hull type, the waterline length, the displacement, and the speed required. Each design has to be considered individually. There is no simple answer. It is usual for designers to double the power required for a given speed in calm water in order to allow for the high seas and headwinds where good performance under power is so very desirable.

In any case, one of the problems of effectively powering a motorsailer has been that a large-diameter propeller turning at lower speeds is essential for maximum efficiency under power. Small diameter, high-speed egg beaters simply will not do the job. But that large three-blade prop is a tremendous drag when under sail alone.

This was a major problem 35 years ago and there were many discussions about whether to let the prop rotate freely in order to reduce resistance. However, this rarely decreases the drag and too often increases it. It can also damage the transmission. Don’t do it.

Mystic, off Diamond Head.

Special propellers

Today, the answer is a three-blade feathering propeller, such as the well- proven Brunton or the popular Max Prop. The usual folding propeller is relatively inefficient, but Gori has a three-blade geared model now that should suit many applications. For larger yachts there is also the old standby Hundested unit that has the propeller pitch adjustable from the helm through a hollow prop shaft. With this system the skipper can feed in the amount of pitch to suit the conditions. I’ve had a 45,000-pound yacht powered by a 30-hp Saab engine which did the job nicely when hooked up to just such an adjustable pitch wheel of large diameter.

One of the advantages of the motorsailer is its versatility. Zig Zag’s adventures proved to me that a good motorsailer can go virtually anywhere in the world and, indeed, can go places forbidden to a deep-draft auxiliary. So whether you want to cruise the canals, the lakes, or the oceans, a motorsailer of one type or another may well suit your cruising needs better than a more conventional sailing yacht.

The profile of Zig Zag, above, shows a full keel/centerboard.

About The Author

Ted Brewer is one of North America's best-known yacht designers, having worked on the America's Cup boats, American Eagle and Weatherly, as well as boats that won the Olympics, the Gold Cup, and dozens of celebrated ocean races. He also is the man who designed scores of good old boats, the ones still sailing after all these years.

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Types of Sailboats: A Complete Guide

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Learning the different types of sailboats can help you identify vessels and choose the right boat.

In this article, we'll cover the most common kinds of sailboats, their origins, and what they're used for. We'll also go over the strengths and weaknesses of each design, along with when they're most useful.

The most common kind of sailboat is the sloop, as it's simple to operate and versatile. Other common sailboat types include the schooner, cutter, cat, ketch, schooner, catamaran, and trimaran. Other sailboat variations include pocket cruisers, motorsailers, displacement, and shoal-draft vessels.

The information found in this article is sourced from boat reference guides, including A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America by Richard M. Sherwood and trusted sources in the sailing community.

Table of contents

Distinguishing Types of Sailboats

In this article, we'll distinguish sailboats by traits such as their hull type, rig, and general configuration. Some sailboats share multiple characteristics with other boats but fall into a completely different category. For example, a sailboat with a Bermuda rig, a large engine, and a pilothouse could technically be called a sloop, but it's more likely a motorsailer.

When discerning sailboat type, the first most obvious place to look is the hull. If it has only one hull, you can immediately eliminate the trimaran and the catamaran. If it has two or more hulls, it's certainly not a typical monohull vessel.

The next trait to consider is the rig. You can tell a lot about a sailboat based on its rig, including what it's designed to be used for. For example, a long and slender sailboat with a tall triangular rig is likely designed for speed or racing, whereas a wide vessel with a complex gaff rig is probably built for offshore cruising.

Other factors that determine boat type include hull shape, overall length, cabin size, sail plan, and displacement. Hull material also plays a role, but every major type of sailboat has been built in both wood and fiberglass at some point.

Sailboat vs. Motorsailer

Most sailboats have motors, but most motorized sailboats are not motorsailers. A motorsailer is a specific kind of sailboat designed to run efficiently under sail and power, and sometimes both.

Most sailboats have an auxiliary engine, though these power plants are designed primarily for maneuvering. These vessels cannot achieve reasonable speed or fuel-efficiency. Motorsailers can operate like a powerboat.

Motorsailers provide great flexibility on short runs. They're great family boats, and they're popular in coastal communities with heavy boat traffic. However, these features come at a cost. Motorsailers aren't the fastest or most efficient powerboats, and they're also not the most agile sailboats. That said, they make an excellent general-purpose sailing craft.

Monohull vs. Multi-hull: Which is Better?

Multihull sailboats are increasingly popular, thanks to advances and lightweight materials, and sailboat design. But are they better than traditional sailboats? Monohulls are easier to maintain and less expensive, and they offer better interior layouts. Multihulls are more stable and comfortable, and they're significantly easier to control. Multihull sailboats also have a speed advantage.

Monohull Sailboats

A monohull sailboat is a traditionally-shaped vessel with a single hull. The vast majority of consumer sailboats are monohulls, as they're inexpensive to produce and easy to handle. Monohull sailboats are proven and easy to maintain, though they lack the initial stability and motion comfort of multi-hull vessels.

Monohull sailboats have a much greater rig variety than multi-hull sailboats. The vast majority of multihull sailboats have a single mast, whereas multi-masted vessels such as yawls and schooners are always monohulls. Some multi-hull sailboats have side-by-side masts, but these are the exception.

Catamaran Sailboats

The second most common sailboat configuration is the catamaran. A catamaran is a multihull sailboat that has two symmetrical hulls placed side-by-side and connected with a deck. This basic design has been used for hundreds of years, and it experienced a big resurgence in the fiberglass boat era.

Catamarans are fast, efficient, and comfortable. They don't heel very much, as this design has excellent initial stability. The primary drawback of the catamaran is below decks. The cabin of a catamaran is split between both hulls, which often leaves less space for the galley, head, and living areas.

Trimaran Sailboats

Trimarans are multi-hull sailboats similar to catamarans. Trimarans have three hulls arranged side-by-side. The profile of a trimaran is often indistinguishable from a catamaran.

Trimarans are increasingly popular, as they're faster than catamarans and monohulls and considerably easier to control. Trimarans suffer from the same spatial limitations as catamarans. The addition of an extra hull adds additional space, which is one reason why these multi-hull vessels are some of the best-selling sailboats on the market today.

Sailboat Rig Types

Rigging is another way to distinguish sailboat types. The rig of a sailboat refers to it's mast and sail configuration. Here are the most common types of sailboat rigs and what they're used for.

Sloops are the most common type of sailboat on the water today. A sloop is a simple single-mast rig that usually incorporates a tall triangular mainsail and headsail. The sloop rig is easy to control, fun to sail, and versatile. Sloops are common on racing sailboats as they can sail quite close to the wind. These maneuverable sailboats also have excellent windward performance.

The sloop rig is popular because it works well in almost any situation. That said, other more complex rigs offer finer control and superior performance for some hull types. Additionally, sloops spread their entire sail area over just to canvases, which is less flexible than multi-masted rigs. The sloop is ideal for general-purpose sailing, and it's proven itself inland and offshore.

Sloop Features:

• Most popular sailboat rig
• Single mast
• One mainsail and headsail
• Typically Bermuda-rigged
• Easy to handle
• Great windward performance
• Less precise control
• Easier to capsize
• Requires a tall mast

Suitable Uses:

• Offshore cruising
• Coastal cruising

Cat (Catboat)

The cat (or catboat) is a single-masted sailboat with a large, single mainsail. Catboats have a thick forward mast, no headsail, and an exceptionally long boom. These vessels are typically gaff-rigged, as this four-edged rig offers greater sail area with a shorter mast. Catboats were popular workboats in New England around the turn of the century, and they have a large following today.

Catboats are typically short and wide, which provides excellent stability in rough coastal conditions. They're hardy and seaworthy vessels, but they're slow and not ideal for offshore use. Catboats are simple and easy to control, as they only have a single gaff sail. Catboats are easy to spot thanks to their forward-mounted mast and enormous mainsail.

Catboat Features:

• Far forward-mounted single mast
• Large four-sided gaff sail
• Short and wide with a large cockpit
• Usually between 20 and 30 feet in length
• Excellent workboats
• Tough and useful design
• Great for fishing
• Large cockpit and cabin
• Not ideal for offshore sailing
• Single sail offers less precise control
• Slow compared to other rigs
• Inland cruising

At first glance, a cutter is difficult to distinguish from a sloop. Both vessels have a single mast located in roughly the same position, but the sail plan is dramatically different. The cutter uses two headsails and often incorporates a large spar that extends from the bow (called a bowsprit).

The additional headsail is called a staysail. A sloop only carries one headsail, which is typically a jib. Cutter headsails have a lower center of gravity which provides superior performance in rough weather. It's more difficult to capsize a cutter, and they offer more precise control than a sloop. Cutters have more complex rigging, which is a disadvantage for some people.

Cutter Features:

• Two headsails
• Long bowsprit
• Similar to sloop
• Gaff or Bermuda-rigged
• Fast and efficient
• Offers precise control
• Superior rough-weather performance
• More complex than the sloop rig
• Harder to handle than simpler rigs

Perhaps the most majestic type of sailboat rig, the schooner is a multi-masted vessel with plenty of history and rugged seaworthiness. The schooner is typically gaff-rigged with short masts and multiple sails. Schooners are fast and powerful vessels with a complex rig. These sailboats have excellent offshore handling characteristics.

Schooners have a minimum of two masts, but some have three or more. The aftermost large sail is the mainsail, and the nearly identical forward sail is called the foresail. Schooners can have one or more headsail, which includes a cutter-style staysail. Some schooners have an additional smaller sale aft of the mainsail called the mizzen.

Schooner Features:

• At least two masts
• Usually gaff-rigged
• One or more headsails
• Excellent offshore handling
• Precise control
• Numerous sail options (headsails, topsails, mizzen)
• Fast and powerful
• Complex and labor-intensive rig
• Difficult to adjust rig single-handed
• Offshore fishing

Picture a ketch as a sloop or a cutter with an extra mast behind the mainsail. These vessels are seaworthy, powerful, excellent for offshore cruising. A ketch is similar to a yawl, except its larger mizzen doesn't hang off the stern. The ketch is either gaff or Bermuda-rigged.

Ketch-rigged sailboats have smaller sails, and thus, shorter masts. This makes them more durable and controllable in rough weather. The mizzen can help the boat steer itself, which is advantageous on offshore voyages. A ketch is likely slower than a sloop or a cutter, which means you aren't likely to find one winning a race.

Ketch Features:

• Headsail (or headsails), mainsail, and mizzen
• Mizzen doesn't extend past the rudder post
• Good offshore handling
• Controllable and mild
• Shorter and stronger masts
• Easy self-steering
• Slower than sloops and cutters
• Less common on the used market

A dinghy is a general term for a small sailboat of fewer than 28 feet overall. Dinghys are often dual-power boats, which means they usually have oars or a small outboard in addition to a sail. These small boats are open-top and only suitable for cruising in protected waters. Many larger sailboats have a deployable dinghy on board to get to shore when at anchor.

Dinghy Features:

• One or two people maximum capacity
• Easy to sail
• Works with oars, sails, or an outboard
• Great auxiliary boat
• Small and exposed
• Not suitable for offshore use
• Going from anchor to shore
• Protected recreational sailing (lakes, rivers, and harbors)

Best Sailboat Type for Stability

Stability is a factor that varies widely between sailboat types. There are different types of stability, and some sailors prefer one over another. For initial stability, the trimaran wins with little contest. This is because these vessels have a very high beam-to-length ratio, which makes them much less prone to rolling. Next up is the catamaran, which enjoys the same benefit from a wide beam but lacks the additional support of a center hull section.

It's clear that in most conditions, multihull vessels have the greatest stability. But what about in rough weather? And what about capsizing? Multihull sailboats are impossible to right after a knockdown. This is where full-keel monohull sailboats excel.

Traditional vessels with deep displacement keels are the safest and most stable in rough weather. The shape, depth, and weight of their keels keep them from knocking over and rolling excessively. In many cases, these sailboats will suffer a dismasting long before a knockdown. The primary disadvantage of deep-keeled sailboats is their tendency to heel excessively. This characteristic isn't hazardous, though it can make novice sailors nervous and reduce cabin comfort while underway.

Best Sailboat Type for Offshore Cruising

The best sailboat type for offshore cruising is the schooner. These graceful aid robust vessels have proven themselves over centuries as durable and capable vessels. They typically use deep displacement keels, which makes them stable in rough weather and easy to keep on course.

That said, the full answer isn't quite so simple. Modern multihull designs are an attractive option, and they have also proven to be strong and safe designs. Multihull sailboats are an increasingly popular option for offshore sailors, and they offer comfort that was previously unknown in the sailing community.

Many sailors cross oceans in basic Bermuda-rigged monohulls and take full advantage of a fin-keel design speed. At the end of the day, the best offshore cruising sailboat is whatever you are comfortable handling and living aboard. There are physical limits to all sailboat designs, though almost any vessel can make it across an ocean if piloted by a competent skipper and crew.

Best Sailboat Type for Racing The modern lightweight Bermuda-rigged sailboat is the king of the regatta. When designed with the right kind of hull, these vessels are some of the fastest sailboats ever developed. Many boats constructed between the 1970s and today incorporate these design features due to their favorable coastal and inland handling characteristics. Even small sailboats, such as the Cal 20 and the Catalina 22, benefit from this design. These boats are renowned for their speed and handling characteristics.

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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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Nordhavn 56 Motorsailer

• By Peter Swanson
• Updated: July 14, 2009

ytgjul14nord525.jpg

Some new boat buyers have a difficult time leaving the dock for that first long voyage. Not so the owner of NordSail One, the first of Nordhavn ‘s new 56-foot motorsailer series. Susan Felton and her fiancé-captain John Graham had a powerful incentive not only to get their boat offshore of Newport Beach, but to flee California entirely. It was time for them to go cruising or face state taxes on their recent purchase.

Felton had been negotiating with Nordhavn to purchase a trawler when fuel prices spiked in 2008. Though Nordsail One had been built as a factory demo boat, its promise of greater fuel efficiency caught Felton’s attention. When she offered to buy the motorsailer, Nordhavn could hardly refuse. Since then, the company has sold seven more.

Felton and Graham shared a dream of sailing the happy isles of Polynesia. Trouble was, neither had any sailing experience. So, the plan was for Graham to take NordSail One up the coast to Washington, where Felton would join him for a summer of cruising and learning to sail. Graham, a shaggy-haired Scots engineerturned- realtor, hired an experienced California sailor named Ken Madeja to accompany him, and Nordhavn suggested that I go along, too, to represent the East Coast.

En route to California I was reminded of a joke overheard at the Miami International Boat Show. Question: What is the biggest difference between a sailboat and a trawler yacht?Answer: A sailboat only motors 90 percent of the time. Granted, racers and daysailers continue to enjoy pure sailing, but once they dedicate themselves to cruising, “auxiliary” propulsion trumps canvas, as anyone who has witnessed the seasonal sailboat migrations would testify. The usual scenario is a boat with a tightly sheeted main, trailing exhaust, and with a crew encased in a faux pilothouse of Sunbrella and isinglass.

After a few years of motoring with one sail raised, many sailors have embraced the obvious and traded into trawlers, and Pacific Asian Enterprises has been a leader in meeting this new Horn of California.” Going north on the West Coast is a notorious slog in general, but Conception is the worst-a place where 30-foot waves are not uncommon. Most of the voyage was to windward, so we advanced market demand with the Nordhavn series of full-displacement ocean voyaging powerboats. PAE was founded by sailors, and by the late 1980s, their efforts had produced more than 250 Mason sailboats at the Ta Shing yard in Taiwan. By then the sailboat market was in decline, prompting the company to reflect on how their Mason customers- and sailors in general-were actually using their boats.

With inspiration from Robert Beebe, author of the seminal work “Voyaging Under Power”, PAE designed the first Nordhavn, a 46-footer capable of crossing oceans. (See “No Regret,” April 2009). Amazingly, the concept faced ridicule and resistance at the time, and PAE’s Taiwanese partner even refused to build it. Now hundreds of Nordhavns roam the oceans, and the company appears to be weathering a down economy much better than the industry as a whole.

One might have expected PAE to launch something like its new Nordhavn 56 sloop-rigged sailing trawler years ago-and, yes, Nordhavn does call it a motorsailer, but only for lack of better terminology. Though there have been many good ones over the years, motorsailers never got much traction in the marketplace. Notoriously branded as a compromise that neither sailed nor motored well, this 50-50 breed has languished on the drawing boards. So, traveling to California in April for a ride on the N56, I really had only one question: Would she sail or would she not?

Yes, I quickly learned, the N56 will sail. She can exceed five knots in 12 to 13 knots of breeze, and tack through 130 degrees on the compass-obviously, she’s no J/Boat, but she is able enough to distance herself from a lee shore under sail alone. This respectable performance is due to a full keel and powerful mainsail combination, resulting in a hull that draws 6½ feet and a rig that stands 73 feet above the waterline.

Some East Coast cruisers might view that kind of air draft as a dealkiller because it eliminates the option of transiting the Intracoastal Waterway with its 65-foot bridges. Jim Leishman, cofounder and vice president of PAE, says Nordhavn is developing a short-rigged version to address that concern, though the draft is non-negotiable, mainly to accommodate a 36-inch prop.

Our 1,100-mile, seven-day shakedown began with a forecast that called for moderating seas at Point Conception, also know as “The Cape under a close-hauled mainsail with her 165-horsepower Lugger engine ticking over at about 1500 revs. The apparent wind filled the sail and dampened our roll, leaving a tolerable fore-and-aft motion as we climbed and cut our way through 8- to 10-foot seas.

Graham and Madeja, a former airline pilot, spent the first couple days experimenting with the 56’s variable-pitch propeller, adjusting in search of the sweet spot where speed and fuel economy intersect. Settling into the routine of the watch rotation, we got to know one another and got along-mostly. Graham is a self-described “clean freak,” while Madeja enjoyed a hearty appetite and “left a wake” when he ate, which he only refrained from doing while sleeping. Graham responded by regularly dusting for crumbs in the salon-it was the first time I ever saw a Swiffer employed in a seaway.

As we approached Oregon, Graham was eager to take on fuel so he could begin documenting NordSail One’s tax-exempt status in California with receipts. We headed in and though a lull in the weather had produced calm conditions in the ocean, the same was not true inside Port Orford’s surge-wracked “harbor.” The “marina” consisted of two huge cranes and a storage area, where every boat was hauled and blocked at the end of every day-a marina with no slips or moorings.

For a guy who stressed about crumbs, Graham took our slamming against the pier pretty calmly as he topped off NordSail One’s three fuel tanks. We thanked the friendly dockmaster as he lowered a can on a string to take payment (cash or check only). He joked about how Port Orford’s nickname was now “Port Awful,” and I admitted that he was unlikely to ever see us again or anyone we ever spoke to.

After Port Orford, the breeze freshened and the wind clocked around behind us in rain squalls. During the calm we had rolled the main most of the way into the boom to minimize flogging. When the breeze came up again, developing 12-foot following seas, the boat began skating as her fine-entry bow steered left and right in a fight with the autopilot. I stepped onto the side deck and unrolled the jib about halfway. The pull of the headsail straightened us out, eased the strain on the helm, and took some load off the engine. We enjoyed the easier motion in the comfort of the heated pilothouse, thereafter running close to our 9-knot hull speed.

Clearly, the N56 can make hull speed under power or sail alone in 20-knot winds and up (typical trade-wind conditions). Seven knots was NordSail One’s average speed from the harbor at Newport Beach to Neah Bay, our first anchorage just inside the straits of Juan de Fuca in Washington. Leishman says Nordhavn trials showed the N56 making 6.5 knots in calm seas while burning two gallons per hour. At that speed and with its 750-gallon fuel capacity, the boat would have a range of about 2,500 nautical miles, while reducing the speed to 6 knots would increase range to almost 3,000 nautical miles. “Of course, the normal operating speed for coastal cruising will be closer to 9 knots, and long ocean passages will take full advantage of the sails, allowing exceptional speeds with little or no fuel consumption,” Leishman claims.

The allegation that sailors are motoring 90 percent of the time obscures an important truth: That other 10 percent of the time, when they are sailing, it can be better than sex. In a rip-snorting beam reach over following seas, the helmsman of the smallest sloop looks toward the superyacht with pity, because those people cannot feel his ecstasy. There is no equivalent experience on a powerboat.

Nordhavn’s new 56-footer will appeal to sailors looking for the comforts of a motoryacht but unwilling to sacrifice the sublime pleasure of sailing, or in the case of Felton and Graham, being able to ride to paradise on the breath of Matuu, the Polynesian god of the north wind.

Nordhavn, (949) 496-4848; ** www.nordhavn.com**

Click here to view a photo gallery of the Nordhavn 56 motorsailer.

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