A sailboat is a small boat that uses wind to move. Some sailboats have a centerboard, which is a large fin that creates a counterweight to help reduce leeway or sideways slippage and balance the force of the wind on the sails. Others have a keel, which is more effective at reducing this slippage but also adds weight.
Sailing is an exciting pastime and there are many ways to enjoy it, from distance cruising around the world to a day of racing or an afternoon at the dock. Sailing creates its own culture with subgroups focused on competitive sailing, family cruising or just having fun on the water.
Sailboats can be made out of wood, metal or fiberglass. If they are sailed for long distances, sailors will need a sleeping area or cabin, and toilets (called heads on boats). A kitchen is usually located in the center of the boat. Some sailboats are equipped with a generator to provide electricity if the boat is not close to shore or when there is insufficient wind to power the sails.
Some of the most famous sailboats in history have been used by explorers, including Charles Darwin on his Beagle voyage that resulted in scientific findings that still influence our lives today. In the 19th century, famous marine architects and shipbuilders such as Nathanael Greene Herreshoff perfected what we think of as modern sailboats. Catamarans are especially popular because of their stability and shallow draft, which makes it easier to traverse areas with rocky or muddy bottoms and in places where the tide goes out at high speeds.
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