A vessel used for traveling by wind, usually with a large sail. Also called a clipper, cutter, ketch or schooner.
A couple who lives aboard a sailboat instead of on land, typically taking vacations and spending the winter in tropical destinations. Many sailboats are built for family living, with space to accommodate kids and pets.
The most common sailboats are small craft designed to be easily maneuvered by a single person, or by two people operating the tiller (steering wheel) and sheets (lines that control the sails). Larger vessels such as cruisers and trawlers can carry dozens of people.
To sail, the boat must displace water of a greater volume than its own. This is why boats are hollow, allowing them to stay afloat and not sink if they’re submerged. A solid bowling ball would sink instantly, but an air-filled basketball floats because its density is less than that of water.
Sailboats have evolved over the centuries, with designers continually fine-tuning their hull design to reduce the amount of pull in the water. Computer models and tank testing have taught us that a smooth hull surface produces less resistance than a rough one. The hull should taper gradually toward the stern to allow smooth flow there. Otherwise, turbulence will develop and create large eddies that add to resistance.
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