A sailboat is a boat powered by wind, able to glide through lakes, rivers and estuaries to the ocean. Sailboats can be classified by hull types, rig configurations and activities/uses. They can also be categorized by speed, with sleek racing vessels capable of high-speed sailing.
A basic sailboat is constructed from fiberglass, with a contact surface that’s coated with what’s called a parting agent, a non-stick coating that will help release the finished hull from its mold. Color pigment is then laid over the contact surface and embedded into the fiberglass and resin; this is how the boat gets its color.
The next layer to be applied is a skin coat, which is a thin layer of blown fiberglass that looks like cotton candy. This layer is topped with a gelcoat, which is a chemical resin that hardens the pliable fiberglass.
On larger sailboats, additional systems are added, including deck and interior liner, cabins, sitting rooms and areas, toilets (called heads on boats) and sleeping areas. The final component is the mast, a vertical shaft that extends from the deck and supports sails and rigging.
The mainsail is the large sail that captures most of the wind power to propel the boat forward. Its vertical side attaches to the mast and its horizontal side secures to a boom, a long pole parallel to the deck. The boom is able to rotate 360 degrees, allowing sailors to position the mainsail to maximize its ability to catch and harness the wind’s power. The jib is the smaller triangular sail that provides additional lift, helping to keep the boat moving upwind. Finally, the keel — a heavy encapsulated ballast at the bottom of the boat — keeps the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and helps prevent leeway (the amount by which the hull moves in relation to the prevailing wind).
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