Sailboats come in a wide range of sizes, from small dinghies to large catamarans and superyachts. But regardless of their size, all sailboats have a few basic parts.
A hull is the waterproof body of a boat that comes in a variety of shapes and materials. Most sailboats have a full-length keel that is a part of the hull. This keel helps with stability and provides resistance to motion through the water, especially when sailing upwind.
As the boat moves slowly through water, it creates a bow wave with a wavelength equal to its own speed of travel. This bow wave generates a series of crests and troughs down its side. As the boat speeds up, the length of the wave increases. The boat can eventually move fast enough that the first crest actually pushes the stern into its trough. At this point, the boat is literally “sailing uphill.” This condition causes tremendous resistance and is often called “wave resistance.”
Some sailors decide that owning a sailboat is too expensive, or they realize that their mechanical skills are not good enough to safely operate one. Those who persevere, however, often find that their passion for sailing is more rewarding than they could have imagined.
In addition to the specialized technical skills required for safe and effective sailing, owning a sailboat also requires some practical knowledge of the maintenance and repair of the craft. It is generally accepted that annual repairs and maintenance will cost about 10-20% of a new boat’s purchase price, and this figure should be factored into any financial estimate of owning a sailboat.
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