Sail types

Ketches & Schooners

Ketches and schooners were originally used as transport, fishing and connecting vessels, for example along the American east coast (Newfoundland schooners/ketches) and in the Caribbean as Bermuda schooners/ketches.
Schooners and ketches only have staysails, which are moored parallel to the hull. They can therefore sail very well upwind and can also be sailed by a small crew. Square sails are different (tall ships such as the Gorch Fock or the typical pirate ship, which can only sail upwind with difficulty).

more than the sum

The special feature of staysail ketches and schooners is that the sails between the masts are divided into two triangular sails: the staysail set on a stay (wire rope) that extends from the top of the rear mast to the bottom of the front mast, and an inverted triangular sail, the so-called fisherman’s sail. This is placed behind the front mast. This division into two sails allows the sail area to be easily adapted to the wind conditions, which is very practical, especially in the middle of the boat.

from steven and spoon

In addition to a flat deck with almost no superstructure and a free rudder aft, staysail ketches and schooners initially had a steep stem and later a spoon bow. At the beginning of the In the 20th century – also due to the influence of the meter formula (according to which different yachts with a handicap factor could sail against each other in competition) – enormous overhangs arose at the bow and stern, as these were not taken into account by the formula. Unfortunately, these classic racing yachts from the first 30 years of the 19th century offered little space. This is why KAIRÓS, CHRONOS and RHEA, for example, have the original bow and hull shape.

Sail types

Ketches & Schooners

more than the sum

from steven and spoon

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