2 masted superyacht

What Is A Boat With 2 Masts Called?

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Two-mast sailboats hold special places in many sailors’ hearts. In addition to being dignified and majestic, a two-mast sailboat offers a perfect balance that can be easily achieved by adjusting the masts in many different ways. Let’s look at the different types of two-mast sailboats.

Whether you’re a sailboat fanatic or an interested observer, there’s something special about two-mast sailboats. In most cases, the first thing you’ll notice about a sailboat is the two masts. Generally, the mainmast is often taller than the aft-mast, which is often referred to as the mizzenmast. The mizzenmast is like a trusted old friend. It not only helps in stabilizing the sailboat under power but can also act as a bow thruster in certain scenarios. There are many reasons why sailors sing a lot of praises as far as two-mast sailboats are concerned. In heavier winds, you can break down the main mast and use the mizzen mast to give you a more balanced and comfortable sail even in the worst of conditions. But what is a boat with 2 masts called?

There are several sailboats with two masts. The most common ones include yawl, ketch, schooner, and brig. In most cases, the designs of the masts do vary but the main idea remains the same. They can have the extra mast either behind or in front of the mainmast. If the additional mast is in front of the mainmast, it’s known as a foremast but if the additional mast is behind (aft of) the mainmast, it’s known as a mizzenmast.

Let’s take a brief look at these two-mast sailboats.

Table of contents

A yawl is one of the most common types of two-mast sailboats. It has two masts: a mizzenmast and the mainmast. The mizzenmast is usually much shorter than the mainmast. This makes it an oblique type of a sailboat in the sense that the mainmast is located in the front of the boat while the mizzenmast is located in the rear past or the boat.

The mizzenmast of a yawl is mainly used to increase the helm balance and is located aft of or behind the rudder.

It’s always easy to confuse a yawl with a ketch so it would only make sense to clear up before going any further. They both have two masts with the mainmast at the front while the mizzenmast is smaller. The difference between a ketch and a yawl comes down to the location of the mast. In a yawl, the mizzenmast is behind the rudder post while in a ketch, the mizzenmast if in front of the rudder post.

Again, the mizzenmast of a ketch is nearly as tall as the mainmast and is used to carry a mainsail. Its main function, however, is to drive the sailboat forward and can sufficiently sail the boat, especially in heavier winds. This is very different from the mizzenmast of a yawl, which is only used to increase the helm balance and cannot drive the boat forward. This means that the mizzenmast of a ketch is bigger than the mizzenmast of a yawl. In short, the mizzenmast on a ketch is technically a driving sail while the mizzenmast on a yawl is more of a balancing sail.

A ketch generally has an advantage over a sloop in downwind or in heavy winds. This is because it has a variety of setups than a typical sloop. The mizzenmast gives you a lot of options to depower in heavy winds and find the most perfect amount of canvas to fly. It can also help in stabilizing the sailboat under the power given that the mizzenmast is naturally in an excellent position.

In essence, a ketch has many practical benefits that can be ideal in most situations in the waters. In addition to sailing peacefully on a beam-reach, a ketch is easily manageable and can give you a lot of options in various weather conditions and situations.

When it comes to a two-mast schooner (a schooner can have two or more masts), the foremast is usually smaller than the aft most mast, which is essentially the mainmast. As such, the main characteristic of a schooner is that the masts are almost of the same height but the foremost mast is slightly smaller.

Even though a schooner is easier to sail than say a sloop (one-mast sailboat), it isn’t very fast. This is why most sailors prefer a sloop to a schooner but it’s a sight to behold, especially when under full sail. While a schooner with a square topsail is the most common, there are others with sprit rigs that run diagonally. Schooners with spritsails are not ideal in big seaways because the sprit rig cannot be lowered since it could become unmanageable. On the other hand, the sprit rig is ideal in coastal waters given that the topsail can catch a high up breeze. 

Like the above-mentioned two-mast sailboats, the brig has two masts with the foremost mast squared. The mainmast can be squared, partially squared or triangular. Some brig sailboats have a lateen mainsail on the mainmast. Historically, brigs were used by pirates and were set in motion using oars. Its name is derived from the Italian word “brigantine,” which loosely translates to “pirate.” These types of sailboats were used by pirates the Mediterranean in the 16th century before they became sailboats.

The two most common types of brigs are:

Brigantine – The foremost mast is usually partially squared but the mainmast is triangular.

Hermaphrodite brig – It’s also known as the schooner brig or the half brig. The two masts are partially squared but the mainmast is gaff-rigged and topsail, which technically makes it half schooner.

When it comes to speed and maneuverability, brigs are easy to handle and maneuver and perhaps that’s why they were preferred by pirates. Again, brigs are generally larger than other two-mast sailboats or single-mast sailboats.

There you have it; there are various types of two-mast sailboats, so there’s not a single name that fits all. You can choose any of them as they’ll serve you perfectly, especially in heavy wind conditions.

Bon Voyage!

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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7 Popular Sailboats with Two Masts (With Pictures & Prices)

Sailboats can come with one, two, or even more masts. You can also have different-sized masts placed on the front, back, or middle of your vessel.

Below, I have listed popular sailboats that have two masts.

Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Check also: Average sailboat price examples .

Things to Know About Sailboats With Two Masts

When looking for sailboats with two masts, you should know what you are looking for. A Ketch is one type of sailboat with two masts.

Knowing this term can help you to nail down your search when looking for a boat with two masts.

These boats come in many shapes and sizes as well as many different types of designs. Generally, these types of boats have the taller mast being forward and the smaller mast near the aft.

Yawls are also boats that feature two masts.

These also come in multiple types and designs. The difference between the Ketch and the Yawl is that the Yawl has the larger mast in the aft instead of forward. They also have smaller sails and can be easier to handle.

Another type of sailing ship that features two masts is a Brigantine.

This ship has mixed sailing rigs which commonly features squared sails on the front part of the ship and triangular sails on the back of the ship.

These boats are often larger and require more people to handle them.

7 Great Used Boats with Two Masts

There are many benefits to used boats including a lower cost. You can get a larger boat for a lower cost if you choose to buy used.

When looking at used boats, you need to make sure you look at the boat and its features thoroughly to make sure everything is in great working order.

If you do not feel confident that you can properly look over a used vessel, you can even hire a marine inspector to look it over and let you know of any potential issues or needed repairs. You can use this assessment to decide what is worth it, or if the needed repairs fall into the budget.

It is much more common for a used boat to have more than one mast. This is because the newer sailboat models are creating their new designs with just one mast.

One mast ships are easier to handle and manage so new designs are trying to optimize design and ease of sailing.

Below are great used sailboats with two masts which I have arranged by price .

1. 1976 Westerly Center Cockpit Ketch

This 1976 Westerly Center Cockpit Ketch is a small 36-foot long sailboat with two masts. This is a solidly built cruising vessel that features a center cockpit ketch layout.

This boat has a small 38 horsepower engine perfectly fit to navigate its smaller size.

The interior features 1 single berth and 3 double berths all in 3 cabins. This boat also has 2 full heads onboard.

You also have a full galley with a 4 burner stove, refrigerator and freezer, stainless steel sink, and microwave oven.

This boat makes great use of limited space and offers many amenities in a much smaller frame.

Price: $37,000.00

2. 1978 Jeanneau Gin Fizz

The 1978 Jeanneau Gin Fizz is a trusted and popular two-masted design capable of crossing the Atlantic Ocean .

This boat is also very spacious for a boat that is only 38 feet in length. This model also won an award for “security, comfort, ease of handling, and ability to handle varying conditions.”

This particular used model has been well maintained and upgraded over the years.

This boat is great for family cruising, offshore passages, and even racing.

This boat features a 50 horsepower engine to help navigation.

Inside you can find 2 cabins and 1 head. You will be highly comfortable with air conditioning and other interior luxuries.

Price: $46,000.00

3. 1979 Freedom 40

The Freedom 40 is a classically designed centerboard ketch with two masts. This boat is a great sailor loaded for cruising on the wide-open blue water.

This sailboat is 40 feet in length and features accommodations for six people that include a double-v berth, another double berth, and two single berths.

There is also a full head that can be accessed both from the main salon and aft cabin.

This boat was recently painted and features newer interior fabrics, forced air heating, and much more.

You can find a dinette with separate freezer and refrigeration compartments, a stove with an oven and broiler, a double stainless steel sink, plenty of storage, and other interior features.

This boat also comes with an outboard motor with 50 horsepower and a hard bottom inflatable dinghy.

Price: $54,900.00

4. 1977 Puma 38 Ketch

The Puma 38 Ketch is a two-masted sailboat built for racing like the rest of the Puma sailing line. This brand prides itself on speed and maneuverability.

The 1977 Puma 38 is 34 feet in length with a backup diesel engine that can help you get where you need to go as well as docking into a slip. This motor features more horsepower than the average sailboat with 45 horsepower.

Features on this vessel include autopilot, electrical and manual bilge pumps, a full marine head, running hot water, and refrigerator.

This boat is made of fiberglass with teak finishes and looks well kept. You can find this boat in Spain if you are interested in purchasing it.

Price: $66,099.00

5. 1973 Morgan Out Island 41

Originally designed by Charley Morgan, the Morgan Out Island 41 is a center cockpit shoal-draft cruiser that features two masts.

This larger boat is 41 feet 3 inches in length and features many amenities.

This boat is the tri-cabin version and features interior heating, pressurized hot and cold water, a 2 burner gas oven, and a fridge.

This boat also seats up to 7 in the 3 cabins and the saloon. There are also 2 full heads on this vessel.

This boat is even equipped with an inboard motor . Inboard motors are easier when it comes to navigation including backing up, which is generally hard for sailboats to do.

Price: $68,596.00

6. 1970 Hinckley Bermuda 40

This 1970 Hinckley Bermuda 40 is a gorgeous two-masted boat painted with a mixture of desert sand and oyster white on the exterior and features a beautiful and well-kept deck.

This boat has previously had all her systems replaced and upgraded and features a 40 horsepower engine that was new in 2014.

This boat features a mahogany interior and sleeps up to 6 people in 2 cabins. You can also find a 3 burner propane stove with oven, fridge and compressor, new countertops and plenty of storage.

This boat is a stunning and highly upgraded “must-see” at a very reasonable price.

Price: $129,500.00

7. 1995 Amel Super Maramu

A newer model of sailboat is the 1995 Amel Super Maramu sailboat. This sailboat has two masts and is very long at 53 feet.

This boat features an aft deck, steps molded right into the hull, well-protected cockpit an many other features. This boat has a large 76 horsepower engine which is more than the average sailboat is equipped with.

Inside, this boat features 2 cabins and 2 heads with showers. There is also plenty of storage, air conditioning , and electric heaters. There is also a nice salon and galley with a refrigerator, dishwasher, chest freezer, microwave oven, 3 burner stove, and other appliances.

This boat is great for multiple days out on the water and is new and updated. Because of the year, this was manufactured and the features, this boat has a larger price tag than the previous models.

Price: $299,990.00

Final Thoughts:

Sailboats are a great way to enjoy a day out at sea. Most sailboat models come with sleeping arrangements and even a kitchen. This makes them ideal for trips that will take more than a day.

Having multiple masts allows you to harness the power of the wind better and can increase your speed and directional capabilities.

There are many great choices when it comes to boats with two masts, but newer models are starting to steer away from double mast designs. This does not mean that you cannot get a good boat with two masts.

Used boats can be great choices when it comes to purchasing a boat. This is even more true with large, yacht boats such as the ones listed above.

Just make sure when you buy a used sailboat you check that everything is intact and in good working order and if it is not, you have allotted space in the budget to fix what is needed.

Your new double-masted sailboat should provide you with plenty of long-lasting memories and adventures out on the water while you connect with the wind and the sea.

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• Yachting World
• Digital Edition

Sea Eagle II: The inside story of the world’s largest aluminium sailing yacht

• June 17, 2020

Rupert Holmes talks to the build and design teams behind the 81m Royal Huisman flagship Sea Eagle II, which recently completed her sea trials off the coast of the Netherlands

Royal Huisman has an enviable track record of producing superlative sailing superyachts , with hundreds of projects completed to date. Yet the latest vessel to leave the shipyard is extraordinary even by these standards. She is the world’s largest aluminium yacht and is one of the top ten biggest sailing yachts ever built. 

Sea Eagle II is a magnificent 81m/266ft three-masted Panamax schooner, created by the same Dykstra and Mark Whiteley Design collaboration that produced the stunning 56m/186ft Royal Huisman ketch Aquarius just over a year ago. 

Her very experienced owner has sailed all his life and spent a lot of time at sea. “ Sailing around the world in the weekends is a phrase often used to outline his days on board,” says Royal Huisman project manager Arjo Spans. He is also a repeat client – the original Sea Eagle is a 43m/143ft Frers/Rhoades Young design launched by the Dutch yard in 2015. 

Sea Eagle II is due to be delivered to her owner in July 2020. Photo: Tom Van Oossanen

Initially the brief for the new boat was for a more classical yacht, similar to the 79m/259ft three-masted gaff schooner Athena , which Royal Huisman built for Silicon Valley mogul Jim Clark in 2004. However, the owner quickly realised he would prefer a more modern yacht: a fast-looking hull shape with straight lines, long waterline and plumb bow. The concept of Sea Eagle II was born. 

“Having worked with him to build the original Sea Eagle , we understood the owner’s priorities from the start,” says Spans. “These are: low maintenance, functionality, and safety, including ease of moving around the yacht, even when heeled at sea.

“For each of the key aspects of the boat he asked for three proposals, he would then choose one of them and leave us to implement it,” Spans adds. “He put a huge amount of trust in the shipyard and in our craftsmanship.”

Article continues below…

Sailing around Cape Horn on the world’s largest ketch Aquijo

When asked to help guide the 86m/282ft ketch Aquijo for a cruise in Tierra del Fuego and a Cape Horn…

Royal Huisman reveals 116ft ‘floating resort’ catamaran superyacht concept

“This is not a change in direction; it is an expansion of possibilities,” says Jan Timmerman, CEO of the 136-year-old…

The scale of this yacht is nothing short of astounding. The sleek hull lines belie the 4m/13ft freeboard and the two-tier deckhouse, including a half-raised bridge, looks entirely in proportion. The main deck-level accommodation has a huge expanse of glass, with the 360º view interrupted only by minimal mullions. There are also acres of cockpit space, with room left over for a long sweep of uncluttered aft deck.

Mark Whiteley was responsible for developing the interior and refining the exterior styling. He created a simple and modern style for the interior, with straight lines. Lacquered Alpi walnut wall panels, brushed natural oak floors and dark stained wenge trims are complemented by light colour leather handrails and upholstered wall panels.

Part of the brief was for the yacht to be able to host business meetings – the forward part of the superstructure therefore includes a large saloon with expansive seating, plus a 16-seat table for formal dining.

The largest winches are capable of a tremendous 18-tonne pulling load. Photo: Rondal

A technical challenge 

Dykstra Naval Architects drew a narrow and efficient hull shape with a maximum beam of only 12.4m/40ft, while displacement has been kept down to a relatively light 1,050 tonnes at full load. The final shape was achieved following extensive computational flow dynamics (CFD) calculations, velocity prediction programming (VPP), and testing in both tow tanks and wind tunnels. These all helped to determine sail balance, keel position and predicted rudder angles.

The plumb bow is balanced by a modest, but graceful, stern overhang, with a contemporary, relatively wide transom at deck level. Twin knuckle lines extend aft from near the bow, merging into one amidships and then forming a chine aft. Right aft the hull has negative curvature on the flare below the chine, which gives interesting reflections in the gleaming paintwork.

The lead naval architect, Dykstra’s Erik Wassen, told me he introduced the knuckle lines to give the hull “a bolder and more interesting shape.” The owner liked the concept and Mark Whiteley helped to refine the detail. Wassen describes the underwater shape as being: “a very modern round bilge shape, with a nice slender hull that gives good sailing capabilities.” Appendages are a conventional fin keel and balanced rudder.

Photo: Priska van der Meulen

The latter presented an interesting technical challenge, according to Wassen. Initially they looked at fabricating the rudder stock in steel, but that alone would weigh three tonnes. Screening a number of alternatives led to a decision to use carbon for the stock, with a foam core section clad in a relatively thin composite skin for the blade. 

The result is what it’s producer, Royal Huisman’s sister company Rondal, believes to be the biggest ever carbon rudder, weighing only 1,250kg, which helps to keep weight out of the ends of the boat. The weight saving here also enabled the intended fore and aft trim to be achieved with the ballast in its optimal location.

The rudder includes load sensors to record and verify torque, side forces and bending moment while sailing. “There is not much load data available for rudders of this size of sailing yacht, so it’s very conservatively engineered,” says Spans. Fibre-optic sensors are incorporated to enable a database to be created that will help with designing future composite rudders for very large yachts.

Due to the distance of the helm stations from the rudder, the steering is via an electric-hydraulic system, which means there’s no feedback from the helm. The plan is to investigate whether data from the sensors can be used in a feedback system to give a more natural feel to steering the boat under sail. 

Structural engineering

This is one of the most interesting elements of yacht design, yet is all too often under appreciated. Extensive modelling showed a couple of unexpected problems that needed clever solutions during Sea Eagle II ’s design and engineering. 

Instead of the hull flexing smoothly under load, like an I-beam, the presence of a forward intermediate deck introduced hard spots in this area, resulting in stress concentrations at the forward end of the superstructure. This required a lot of design work to create a smooth transition of stress from the lower deck to the intermediate one and then on to the upper deck.

Structural engineering was extensively modelled for Sea Eagle II

The roof of the superstructure also posed a challenge, in that the inside surface of a beam needs to become shorter as it flexes. But the original plan for the aluminium roof wasn’t able to accommodate this, with the result the modelling showed stresses concentrating in the corners of the mullions and in the glass itself. 

The solution was to avoid welding the top of the mullions to the roof, opting instead for a flexible joint that allows for movement when necessary. Wassen likens it to the joints in large buildings that need to be included to allow for thermal expansion and contraction.

Whiteley also helped to refine the exterior styling. In addition to the detail of the knuckles, his input helped to refine the shapes – particularly curves and softening corners – in the superstructure.

COVID-19 restrictions meant her delivery date had to be pushed back by 3 months. Photo: Crea Fragma / Rondal

Panamax rig

The requirement to be able to clear the Bridge of the Americas at the Pacific end of the Panama canal called for the schooner rig with three equal masts. All are of carbon and are made by Rondal, with integrated sail handling systems and Carbo-Link carbon standing rigging.

Each mast has in-boom furling, while the aft two have staysails for use when reaching. The tank and wind tunnel testing was used to verify different headsail options, particularly to determine the differences between a large blade jib versus a large staysail or yankee.

“Obviously you have better windward performance with a large blade,” says Wassen, “but as soon as you bear away the yankee is much more forgiving in trimming, so we decided that made more sense.” A further advantage is that when the yankee is part furled the sheeting point remains the same. 

Rondal’s Integrated Sailing System consists of the three carbon Panamax masts with furling booms, hydraulic boomvangs, headsail furling systems, deck winches and equipment, captive winches and continuous solid carbon standing rigging by Carbo-Link, all equipped with load sensing capabilities. Photo: Rondal

In addition, a blade jib requires much higher sheet loads to maintain leech tension. Even though Sea Eagle II is a three-masted yacht, the yankee sheet loads are still predicted to reach 18 tonnes – but this still allows standard-size captive winches to be used, rather than larger custom-made units.

The Panamax limitation obviously poses the question as to whether sail area needed to be compromised to fulfil this criteria. However, this is clearly not the case for Sea Eagle II . Hull speed is close to 20 knots and the yacht is clearly capable of surfing at much higher speeds, despite being designed as a pure cruiser. This role, of course, suggests keeping heel angles to a maximum of 10-15°. 

Nevertheless, the VPP figures suggest potential boat speeds of 17-18 knots in 16 knots of true breeze with a true wind angle of 70°. “As soon as you can ease the sheets a little bit, we have a lot of sail area,” says Wassen, “so on a beam reach, I wouldn’t be surprised if a steady 20 knots is possible.” 

Specification

LOA: 81m (266ft) Air draught: 62m (205ft) Hull: Aluminium Guest accommodation: 11 Crew accommodation: 14 Exterior styling: Dykstra Naval Architects and Mark Whiteley Design Naval Architecture: Dykstra Naval Architects Interior design: Mark Whiteley Design Classification: Lloyd’s MCA (LY-3)

First published in the April 2020 edition of Supersail World.

What’s a Boat with Two Masts Called: Two masted sailing boat types

Two-masted sailing boats will always have a special place in the hearts of many sailors. Many sailors consider two-masted sailing boats to be the most attractive and graceful of all sailing vessels. They have an obvious elegance, but what do you know about these two masted sailboats? Let’s find out!

Among the most important aspects are the fact that two-masted sailing boats offer greater sail balance, engineless sailing and more heavy weather options.

Even if the two masted sailboats are not so common, the sailing world has a few of them and what is more, they represent a proof of the evolution and improvement of sailing boats over time. There are an almost endless number of ways sailors have arranged their sails on boats over the years.

Two-masted sailing boats are classified according to the size and position of their masts.

There are different two-masted sailing boat types and two of the most popular are schooners and yawls.

The origins of schooner-rigged vessels are unknown, however there is evidence of them in paintings by Dutch maritime painters dating back to the early 17th century.

Schooners were developed by Northern European countries, while yawls are believed to be descended from the fishing boats of England.

Sailboats with two masts include yawls, ketches, schooners and brigs (known as brigantines). Yawls and ketches are both types of sloops, which means they have one mast, but the difference between them is that the yawl has a second mast stepped at the bow.

Ketches and Yawls have a lower mast, unlike schooners that have a taller aft mast, which is also known as mizzen. Ketch sailing boats have something specific: the aft mast is  located in front of the rudder post.

The yawl’s mizzenmast serves as a counterbalance for the jib sails, so that it doesn’t have to be hung from the forestay (the rope running from the top of the mast down to the deck). They’re usually smaller than ketches and have less rigging because they don’t carry as many sails as a sloop with two masts.

Yawls are faster sailboats than schooners because they’re lighter, more balanced and easier to sail upwind. They can also go faster because their shorter sails catch more wind. But schooners have larger payloads, which means more people or cargo — an important consideration for long trips without resupply.

Schooners are two-masted sailing boats, but instead of having a jib sail like yawls, ketches and most sloops, schooners have a fore-and-aft spanker sail like a gaff sailboat. These two-masted sailboats have at least two masts, the foremast being slightly shorter than the main mast.

Schooners are larger than yawls, ketches and other sloops and weren’t used very much in modern times because they were more difficult to handle. They’re still used in racing competitions today.

Schooners have a longer bow portion than yawls. The mainsail is aft of the mast, and either one or two foresails are in front of it. In a schooner, these are triangular sails; in a yawl, they’re trapezoidal. Yawls have bowsprits — poles that extend beyond the bow for the jib and stay sail to be attached. Schooners have small bowsprits that can support jibs but not large sails.

The term ketch derives from the word catch, which hints to how it got its name in the 17th century. Ketches were initially intended to meet the specific requirements of offshore net fishing.

Ketch is a type of sailboat that features two masts and two sails, commonly used as a racing and cruising boat. The mainmast of this two-masted sailboat is typically taller than the mizzen mast (aft-mast). Its name derives from catch.

Taller masts allow you to use larger sails, so ketch boats are able to achieve better speeds than similar boats with only one mast. Some ketch designs feature a gaff rig, which is similar to a yawl, while others feature a yawl rig, which looks like a traditional sloop.

Ketch boats may look easy to sail but the slightest mistake can lead to disaster. You must be careful when operating this type of boat because it does not have as much stability as other boats, especially when you’re manoeuvring in tight quarters or windy conditions.

A ketch may also be a small recreational boat with only one head-sail in use. Many modern designs have moved away from sail altogether and are powered by engine, while others use both sails as well as engines depending on circumstance.

The brigantine was once a tiny ship that carried both oars and sails. It was a favorite of Mediterranean pirates.

A brigantine is a square-rigged sailing boat with two masts, with a fully square-rigged foremast and two sails on the mainmast.

The mainmast is stepped forward of the deck, making it possible to sail into the wind using a triangular headsail known as a jib. The brig’s foremast is shorter than the mainmast.

The name of this type of boat with 2 masts is derived from the Italian word “brigantino”, which means brigand.

Also, this two-masted sailing boat type was most commonly used for coastal trade and pirate hunting. The brigantine had an advantage over other ships of the time because it could sail against the wind using both sails, making it easier to travel against strong winds.

Faster and easier to manoeuvre than a sloop or schooner, it was used for piracy and espionage.

FAQ: Two-Masted Sailboats

What do you call a two-masted sailboat.

Two-masted sailboats are of several types: yawls, schooners, ketches or brigantines.

Why do some sailboats have two masts?

The vast majority of sailboats feature a mainsail and a jib. These two-masted sailboats provide several advantages in terms of speed and maneuverability. These two masts may be configured in a variety of ways.

The foresail directs air beyond the back of the mainsail, generating greater power from the wind. In order to help menouvering, the foresail can be backed. So, adding sails makes things simpler for bigger boats, making them easier to handle in heavy winds.

What is the difference between a ketch and a yawl sailboat?

Because they are lighter, more balanced, and easier to sail upwind, yawls are faster sailboats than schooners. They can also go at a faster speed since their shorter sails collect more wind. Schooners, on the other hand, have higher cargoes, which means more people or freight – a crucial consideration for extended journeys without replenishing.

What is a one masted sailboat?

It's a sailing boat having a single mast roughly one-third the length's aft of the bow. A sailboat with a single mast usually has one headsail in front of the mast and one mainsail behind the mast.

What is a two-masted square rigger?

It's a brig with two square-rigged masts. A gaff-rigged fore-and-aft sail also called a "mizzen" is used in addition to jibs and staysails (stays'ls) before the foremast and staysails between the masts.

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What Is A Boat With 2 Masts Called? (5 Options)

The mast is the tall vertical pole that supports the sails, and some sailboat designs can have one or more masts. These types of sailboats are often used for cruising and racing, and they come in a variety of designs. In this article, we'll help you easily identify the different types of boats with two masts.

Popular two-masted sailboats include:

Ketches and yawls are more stable, while schooners, brigs, and brigantines are faster and more maneuverable. Rigging configurations vary, with some having square sails on both masts, and others having fore-and-aft sails on one or both masts.

One of the most important features of a two-masted sailboat is its sail plan. A ketch has a mainsail and a mizzen sail, while a schooner has multiple sails on each mast. Let's find out the sail plan for other types of two-masted sailboats and what other features they differ from each other.

• The mainmast and mizzenmast have different functions, with the former propelling the boat forward and the latter providing balance and stability.
• If you're looking for a 2-masted sailboat that is comfortable and easy to handle, a ketch or yawl might be a good choice.
• If you're looking for a 2-masted sailboat that is fast and maneuverable, a brigantine or schooner might be your best option.
• A brig has square sails on both masts, while a brigantine has a square sail on the foremast and a fore-and-aft sail on the mainmast.

On this page:

How to recognize each sailboat, famous two-masted sailboats.

Below are the five most common types of two-masted sailboats and how you can quickly identify each:

In a two-masted sailboat, the mainmast usually carries the driving sail, which is responsible for propelling the boat forward. Meanwhile, the mizzenmast usually carries the balancing sail, which helps to balance the boat and keep it stable in different wind conditions.

Some sailboats are designed for speed, while others prioritize maneuverability and ease of handling. If you're looking for a sailboat that is comfortable and easy to handle, a ketch or yawl might be a good choice. These sailboats are generally more stable and easier to handle than other types of sailboats.

If you're looking for a sailboat that is fast and maneuverable, a brigantine or schooner might be a good choice . These sailboats are generally more difficult to handle than other types of sailboats, but they offer a thrilling sailing experience.

You can read more on two-masted sailboats in this article.

How to recognize a ketch:

• a medium-sized sailboat (30 ft and up) with two masts
• a smaller mast in back
• a taller mast in front
• both masts have mainsails
• sails are fore-and-aft rigged

Sail design of a ketch

A ketch has two masts, with a taller mizzenmast located more towards the middle of the boat and behind the main mast. You can identify a ketch through this article.

The sail design of a ketch allows for more sail area options and versatility in different wind conditions.

The two masts allow for a variety of sail configurations that can be adjusted depending on the wind conditions, making the ketch more versatile and adaptable in different sailing conditions.

Performance and maneuverability of a ketch

A ketch can be efficient and fast, especially when sailing downwind, due to the mizzen mast helping to balance the boat and reduce load on the main sail. The smaller size of the mizzen sail can be useful in strong winds, providing a smaller area of sail to catch the wind.

Maneuvering a ketch can be challenging due to more lines and rigging, but skilled sailors can learn to handle it with practice.

Rigging configuration of a ketch

The rigging configuration of a ketch allows for more control over sail trim and balance, with the main sail attached to the main mast and the smaller mizzen sail attached to the mizzen mast. The sails can be adjusted independently of each other, allowing for versatility in different sailing conditions. The mizzen sail can be used to balance the boat and keep it on course in light winds, or reduce the load on the main sail in stronger winds.

The ketch rig also allows for finer control over the shape of the sails, with the mizzen sail used to adjust the angle of attack of the main sail and balance the boat when sailing close to the wind.

How to recognize a schooner:

• a sailboat with mostly two masts
• a smaller mast in front
• a taller mast in the back
• mainsails have gaff-rigging (spar on top of the sail)

Sail design of a schooner

A schooner is a two-masted sailboat with the mainmast taller than the foremast, and triangular-shaped sails. The sails on the forward mast are smaller than those on the aft mast. Here's how to recognize a schooner .

Schooners can be sailed with a smaller crew due to the ease of adjusting the sails, and are often used for racing due to their speed and agility.

Schooners can also be used for cruising, but are less maneuverable than yawls and ketches due to their size.

Performance and maneuverability of a schooner

A schooner can be fast, especially in light winds, and its rigging configuration allows it to sail close to the wind, making it a good choice for long-distance cruising.

Schooners can cover a lot of ground quickly due to their ability to sail at a greater angle to the wind than some other types of sailboats.

Maneuvering a schooner can be relatively easy with a skilled crew, as the sails can be adjusted quickly and easily, allowing for easier turning and maneuvering than some other types of sailboats.

Rigging configuration of a schooner

The rigging configuration of a schooner allows for a greater variety of sail configurations due to the two masts and different sizes of the sails on each mast. This allows for versatility in different wind conditions, with the sails set up in different ways to catch more wind or provide more power.

Schooners can sail faster and more efficiently in light winds due to the ability to adjust the sails on each mast. In stronger winds, the sails can be adjusted to reduce sail area and prevent the boat from being overpowered, through reefing or changing the sail configuration.

How to recognize a yawl:

• a sailboat with two masts
• a main mast in front
• a much smaller mast in the back
• back mast doesn't carry a mainsail

Sail design of a yawl

A yawl is a two-masted sailboat with a shorter mizzenmast located behind the mainmast, usually behind the rudder post. The smaller mizzen sail on the aft mast can be used to balance the boat and provide additional power in light winds, while the larger mainsail on the main mast can be used for more power in stronger winds.

The advantage of a yawl is that it allows for more flexibility in sail handling.

Performance and maneuverability of a yawl

A yawl can be slower than other types of sailboats due to the additional weight of the second mast and rigging, but can be more stable and easier to handle in rough seas.

Yawls are a popular choice for cruising and long-distance sailing due to their stability.

Yawls can be easily maneuvered even with a small but skilled crew, making them suitable for cruising.

Rigging configuration of a yawl

The rigging configuration of a yawl provides several advantages, including:

• Balance : The smaller mizzen sail on the aft mast helps to balance the boat and reduce weather helm (the tendency of the boat to turn into the wind). This makes the boat easier to steer and more comfortable to sail.
• Flexibility : The smaller mizzen sail can be used to help control the boat in a variety of wind conditions, while the larger mainsail on the main mast provides more power in stronger winds.
• Safety : The mizzen sail on the aft mast can be used as a backup sail in case the main sail on the main mast is damaged or needs to be taken down. This provides an added level of safety and security when sailing offshore or in rough conditions.
• Ease of handling : The smaller mizzen sail on the aft mast can be used to help turn the boat quickly and with more control, making it easier to navigate in tight spaces or tricky conditions.

How to recognize a brig:

• a square-rigged foremast
• a mainmast that is either square-rigged or square-rigged and gaff-rigged

Sail design of a brig

A brig is a two-masted sailboat with square sails on both masts. The square sails are used to generate driving force when sailing downwind and are typically made of heavy canvas or durable materials. The sails are attached to the masts and yards using a series of ropes and lines known as the rigging.

The square sails on a brig are divided into smaller sections known as "panels," which can be adjusted individually to suit changing wind conditions.

Brig may also have one or more triangular-shaped fore-and-aft sails attached to the foremast, which can be adjusted using running rigging. Here's how to identify a brig.

Performance and maneuverability of a brig

The square-rigged sails of a brig allow it to sail closer to the wind than other types of sailing vessels, making it easier to maneuver in tight spaces and change direction quickly. This makes a brig ideal for naval warfare and piracy, where speed and maneuverability are essential for success.

The design of a brig allows for a smaller crew than other types of ships of similar size, which can make it easier to operate and maintain. Fewer crew members also means less weight and less space taken up by supplies and equipment, contributing to the ship's speed and maneuverability.

Rigging configuration of a brig

The rigging configuration of a brig typically includes square sails on both masts, which provide significant driving force when sailing downwind. However, this type of rig can be less effective when sailing upwind, as the sails are not as efficient at generating lift as a triangular sail.

One advantage of the brig's rigging configuration is that the square sails can be adjusted individually to suit changing wind conditions. The fore-and-aft sails can be used to fine-tune the vessel's speed and direction.

How to recognize a brigantine:

• a two-masted sailboat that is similar to a brig, but with a different rigging configuration
• a sailboat with a square-rigged foremast and a fore-and-aft rigged mainmast
• mainmast is typically taller than the foremast
• sails on the mainmast are fore-and-aft rigged, while the sails on the foremast are square-rigged

Sail design of a brigantine

A brigantine is a two-masted sailboat with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sails on the mainmast. This configuration allows for a greater range of sail plan options. The square sails on the foremast can be used to drive the ship forward in strong winds, while the fore-and-aft sails on the mainmast can be used to maneuver the ship in more moderate winds.

Brigantines were used as cargo ships in the past and are still used for training and educational purposes.

Rigging configuration of a brigantine

The rigging configuration of a brigantine is complex, with multiple lines and cables used to control the sails and masts. The foremast typically has a topmast and a topgallant mast, while the mainmast may have a gaff and a boom to support the fore-and-aft sails. The rigging system includes shrouds, stays, and other lines that help stabilize the masts and sails and control their movement.

Performance and maneuverability of a brigantine

The combination of square and fore-and-aft sails allows for a greater range of sail plan options, which can help the ship maintain speed and maneuverability in different wind conditions.

However, the larger size and weight of the brigantine can make it more difficult to maneuver quickly or make sudden changes in direction, particularly in light winds.

For a better grasp of what each of these two-masted boats looks like , this article contains complete illustrations and pictures.

Here are some of the most popular two-masted sailboats that you might know:

The sloop-rigged Hinckley Bermuda 40

The Hinckley Bermuda 40 is a classic sailboat that has been around since the 1960s. This boat is known for its beautiful lines, excellent handling, and comfortable interior.

The Bermuda 40 is a yawl-rigged sailboat, which means it has two masts, a mainmast, and a smaller mast called a mizzenmast. The mainmast is located forward, while the mizzenmast is aft. This arrangement allows for better balance and maneuverability, especially in heavy weather.

The ketch-rigged Amel Super Maramu

The Amel Super Maramu is a luxurious sailboat that is designed for long-distance cruising. This boat is known for its innovative features, such as an electric furling system, a hydraulic bow thruster, and a self-tacking jib.

The Super Maramu is a ketch-rigged sailboat, which means it has two masts, a taller mainmast, and a shorter mizzenmast. The mainmast is located forward, while the mizzenmast is aft. This configuration allows for better sail balance, especially when sailing downwind.

The ketch-rigged Westsail 42

The ketch-rigged Westsail 42 is a popular cruising sailboat that was designed by William Crealock in the 1970s. This boat is known for its sturdy construction and seaworthiness, making it a popular choice for long-distance cruising.

The ketch rig is known for being versatile and easy to handle, as it allows for a variety of sail combinations to be used depending on the wind conditions. It also allows for a versatile sail plan that can be easily adjusted to suit a wide range of wind conditions.

The schooner-rigged Bluenose II

The schooner-rigged Bluenose II is a replica of the original Bluenose, a famous Canadian racing schooner. The Bluenose II was built in 1963 and is used primarily as a tourist attraction and sail training vessel.

The schooner rig features two masts, with the forward mast being taller than the aft mast. This rig allows for a large sail area and a high degree of maneuverability, making it well-suited for racing and coastal cruising.

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Cruise line Club Med Cruises (Small Cruise Lines)

Club Med 2 current position

Club Med 2 current location is at Gulf of Mexico (coordinates 22.81112 N / -84.74296 W) cruising at speed of 13 kn (24 km/h | 15 mph) en route to Progreso. The AIS position was reported 37 minutes ago.

Specifications of Club Med 2

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Club Med 2 Review

Review of club med 2.

The 1992-built yacht Club Med 2 is a modern sailing cruise ship owned by Club Med Cruises. The vessel is marketed as "cruise ship" (mega-yacht) and is powered by 7x computer-controlled sails combined with traditional diesel-electric propulsion (4x diesel generators power 2x electric motors).

History - construction and ownership

The 400-passenger ship Club Med 2 is owned and operated by Club Med SA (fka Club Mediterranee) - a French corporation (part of Fosun Group) specializing in premium all-inclusive vacation packages to its privately-owned resorts worldwide. Club Med 2's sistership (Club Med 1) was bought by Windstar Cruises and renamed Wind Surf (1998).

The shipowner Fosun Group (officially Fosun International Ltd) is a 1992-founded, Shanghai -headquartered Chinese holding company incorporated in Hong Kong in December 2004. Fosun Group has offices in 16 countries and is one of China's largest privately-owned companies, with (2019 data) total assets USD 102,6 billion, revenue USD 20,7B, net income USD 2,1B. The corporation is Hong Kong Stock Exchange-listed (as SEHK 656) since July 2007. Fosun's businesses are mainly investing and managing in various companies (including joint ventures), as well as in private equity funds. Fosun fully- or partially owns companies in the industries of banking, insurance, asset management, entertainment (Cirque du Soleil), fashion (brands Ahava, Caruso, Folli Follie, Lanvin, Silver Cross, St John, Tom Tailor, Wolford), food and beverages, private hospitals, real estate, retail, tourism, among others.

The 5-masted Club Med 2 is a computer-controlled schooner and one of the world's biggest sailing ships. The vessel was completely drydock reconstructed in 1996, its interior was totally redesigned in 2008, and was last refurbished in 2022 (read the refurbishment's review in the Wiki section ).

The vessel (IMO number 9007491) is France- flagged (MMSI 227194000) and registered in Mata-Utu/ Wallis and Futuna .

In 2008, the boat's interior was entirely revamped by Sophie Jacquemin (Geneva Switzerland-based interior designer).

The depth/draft of just 5 m / 16 ft allows the ship to sail closer to shores while on voyages featuring coastal navigation.

Onboard services are provided by 214 staff/crew, mostly from Mauritius.

Decks and Cabins

MS Club Med 2 staterooms (186 total/372 berths) include 1x Armateur Suite (40 m2 / 430 ft2), 10x Owner's Suites (sized 390 ft2 / 36 m2), 5x Deluxe Cabins (24 m2 / 260 ft2), 170x Club Superior Cabins (18 m2 / 195 ft2).

Club Superior Cabins are spread over Deck B-Borneo (55x/lower deck), Deck C-Caraibes (67x/middle deck) and Deck D-Desirade (48x/higher deck).

All passenger cabins are outside (with sea views) and with standard double occupancy, but some of the Superior staterooms are triples, providing accommodation for a third occupant.

The boat has 6 passenger-accessible decks (out of 8 total), of which 4 are with cabins.

Two elevators (forward and aft lifts) interconnect all passenger decks.

The 8 decks have a total surface area of ~2000 m2 / 21530 ft2.

Shipboard facilities and amenities

Club Med 2 offers all-inclusive cruises, with room service (for breakfast) and two gourmet restaurants (both with waiter service in the evenings) included in the fares. Tables are set each evening. Cookery classes are offered three times per week.

The Mediterranee Restaurant (Main Dining Room on Deck G/right by the large terrace) mixes various flavors with exotic cuisines. The intimate restaurant is complimentary during the day and a-la-carte-priced in the evenings, but dinners can be reserved in advance at the Reception Desk. Le Mediterranee serves buffet-style breakfast, lunch and dinner, with alfresco dining (on the adjacent Veranda or under the balcony) or in the dining room. Tables are 2-4-6-8-seat.

The Magellan Restaurant (deck E) is with table-side waiter service and costs extra. Its chef and his team prepare a mix of rare and traditional French dishes. Sommeliers/wine stewards assist passengers to choose from the premium wines menu. Tables can accommodate 2-4-8-12 people.

Room service (in-cabin dining) is 24-hour but at extra cost, excluding Suite guests for whom the service is complimentary.

Club Med 2 has four bars - Le Pacifique/The Pacific (piano bar lounge and nightclub on Deck F/open only in the evenings, hosts the Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party, has a humidor, sells premium cigars), Le Venise (Deck E/next to the swimming pool, with stern views), Moby Dick (with live music programming/piano performances in the evenings), and The Albatros (by the swimming pool on Deck G/sundeck). All onboard bars serve snacks complimentary.

The superyacht can navigate and anchor in destinations inaccessible to larger vessels. This unique ship features music and ballroom dancing while cruising at night and making a stop each morning. Snorkeling is included in the Club Med cruise packages, as well as wakeboarding and water skiing.

Passengers can read in the Library/Nautique Hall, visit the Boutique Shop, exercise in the modern Gym, enjoy premium wellness experiences (5x Treatment Rooms for massages, 2x Sauna Rooms, Beauty Salon) or dance the night away in the Nightclub. Wellness Center's massages are for an extra fee.

Premium Champagne is served in The Pacific Lounge complimentary in the evenings (between 6-11 pm).

All outdoor spaces are with premium teak decking.

Complimentary onboard activities also include aqua classes, fitness classes, nightly shows and dancing, watersports (boating, waterskiing, kayaking, windsurfing, wakeboarding, snorkeling). The Marina Platform (from the open-sea activities are launched) is sized 85 m2 / 915 ft2.

Club Med 2's wellness services (spa and beauty/massages, body treatments, facials)

Onboard wellness services (Club Med Spa and Beauty Salon by CARITA) include massages, body treatments, facials, nails-, hairdresser and barber services.

• HYDRATING TREATMENT (60-min)
• SOOTHING FACIAL (60-min/ cocooning mask + facial massage with chilled porcelain spoons)
• PURIFYING PEACE (60-min facial for oily skin)
• MEN'S ESSENTIAL (60-min deep cleansing skin treatment using a volcanic rock for detoxification and hyaluronic acid for skin replenishment, with scalp-face-neck-shoulder massage)
• YOUTH INTENSIVE TREATMENT (75-min anti-aging intensive treatment using Sothys' βP3 Tri Complex)
• CRYO EYE PROFESSIONAL TREATMENT (30-min treatment for the skin around the eyes/cryo gel mask plus eye massage with chilled porcelain spoons)
• HANAKASUMI (60-90-min body treatment using warm exfoliating cream for a full body massage)
• INDONESIE ANCESTRALE (60-90-min Indonesian body ritual/ in-depth energy breathing, fragrant floral scents, traditional Indonesian massage using acupressure techniques)
• SENSATIONS ORIENTALES (6-90-min Oriental spa treatment by Sothys)

The ship's Spa also offers fully customized massages, including SWEDISH, DEEP TISSUE, and CLUB MED SIGNATURE (Swedish+Deep Tissue combo). Guests can pick the duration (30-60-90-minutes) and the ingredients (lemon and petitgrain, orange blossom and cedar wood, ginger and cinnamon, frangipani flower and plum, Sothys Men) as well as the modeling product (cream or oil).

Customized body treatments include PEELING WITH 3 SALTS (45-min, using salts from France, the Himalayas and the Dead Sea) and HYDRA-NOURISHING COCOON MASK (30-min wrap applied warm onto the skin).

Club Med 2's cruise spa packages are titled RELAXATION & BEAUTY GETAWAY (3-4-days), REVITALIZING GETAWAY (2-4-days), ESCAPADE AFTER SPORT (2-4-days), BEAUTY GETAWAY (2-3-days).

The ship's Club Med Spa complex consists of 5x treatment rooms (1x for couples, 3x individual, 1x for hand and foot, beauty and care), a Tea Room (Zen meditation) and a semi-private outdoor deck are (portside on Deck F-Fidji).

Itineraries

MV Club Med 2 itinerary program is based on Mediterranean and Adriatic Sea voyages in the summers followed by Caribbean deployment in the winter. Transatlantic crossings between Europe and the Caribbean (RepositionCruises.com) are offered seasonally.

Following the Coronavirus crisis (2020-21), the company Club Med Cruises restarted operations with MS Club Med 2 on July 10, 2021, leaving from Nice . During the crisis (May 2020 thru July 2021) the boat was laid up / docked at La Seyne-sur-Mer/Toulon ).

Club Med 2's Caribbean 2022-2023 program (December-March) had scheduled 7- to 12-night voyages departing from island ports in Guadeloupe, Martinique, St Martin. Feature destinations in the region included St Vincent & the Grenadines' islands Mayreau , Bequia , Tobago Cays , France's St Barthelemy Island , Guadeloupe's Marie-Galante Island.

In the Mediterranean are offered golf-themed voyages (golf cruise packages) inclusive of up to 5 golf course fees and services provided by one or two PGA-certified professionals. The ashore/land services include shuttle transportation, bags, golf carts. During the school vacation are offered "family cruises" with supervised kids programming throughout the day. To access the sailship are allowed children 8 years of age and older. Supervised activities are in two separate groups (for kids 8- to 12 yo, and for teens 13- 17 yo) and include Club Med Artists (arts and crafts), Games (contests, competitions), Gaming Consoles.

Club Med 2 - user reviews and comments

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Club Med 2 ship related cruise news

5-masted sailship Club Med 2 runs aground off Panama's San Blas Islands

The 5-masted schooner/sailship Club Med 2 (IMO 9007491) ran aground off Panama's San Blas Archipelago between Wednesday, February 15th, and Thursday...

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Club Med 2 Wiki

Since 2020, the vessel is managed by CCS (COLUMBIA Cruise Services Ltd). The German company ( Hamburg -based) is responsible for Club Med 2's crewing and recruiting, in-port operations (including provisioning and refuelling), technical managing, refurbishments , logistics. The ship is France- flagged (MMSI number 227194000) and owned by the Chinese corporation Fosun Group (Fosun International Ltd, 1992-founded, Shanghai -headquartered) - via its fully-owned subsidiary company Club Mediterranee SA.

Refurbishment 2022 review

The multimillion drydock 2022 refit and refurbishment was completed in December 2022. The project included redesigning and complete renovation of all venues (restaurants, bars, lounges, wellness facilities) and staterooms with new furniture and amenities.

The Gym was fitted with new cardio equipment, soft lighting, soundproof flooring. Club Med Spa by Sothys was upgraded with new treatments and exercise programming (including outdoor yoga classes on the sundeck).

Le Magellan Restaurant's enhancements include live cooking demonstrations and new menus developed by Ferrandi Paris (French culinary arts school also specializing in hospitality management). The seasonally changed dishes are themed on the local cuisine of the cruise itinerary's regions and ports/destinations.

The boat's 5 sails were remodeled.

Club Med 2's previous major drydock refit was conducted in 2008.

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Tropic rover, two masted 145-foot gaff rigged catamaran.

One time largest sailing catamaran in the world was built in Fort Lauderdale from 1961 to 1962. Much different than the catamarans these days .

Are the boat building glory days of Fort Lauderdale past? Talking to Bixby Hill reminisce makes you wonder what has happened. Bix invited me to his home across from LMC and told stories of building boats on the New River during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The east and west banks downriver from I-95 have a rich tradition and colorful history of large yacht construction that makes you question if the mega yachts that populate our city today are really that advanced. In the 1950’s, Bix worked at Dooley’s Yacht Basin, what is now the east yard of Lauderdale Marine Center. There they built 140-foot minesweepers and exported them to the Netherlands to clear WWII mines from the North Sea. Equally busy yard hands on the north side built famous yachts such as the Prospector and Starlite and provided dockage for others such as the 115-foot motor yacht, Arethusa.

This was where, Bixby Hill says, they built the Tropic Rover from 1961 to 1962. She was a 145-foot gaff rigged schooner and the largest sailing catamaran in the world ever built to that point. For some perspective, that is 31-feet longer than the 114-foot trimaran winner of the 33rd America’s cup by BMW Oracle. Sidney Hartshorne, a long time Shady Banks resident, designed and commissioned the project. They leased the woodland from Summerfield Boat Works on the north side of the river across from Dooley’s. They actually had to clear the trees and shrubbery. The clearing was just west of the sheds than once lined the north bank of the final stretch of the New River. Below are excerpts from my November 6, 2010 interview with Bix at his home in Starlite Landing:

RJ: When did you arrive in Fort Lauderdale? BH: During WWII I was stationed at the Coast Guard base in Miami. Bahia Mar was originally a US Coast Guard base too. I traveled up and down the coast on patrol and came to know the area. In 1950, I owned four lots across from the Hortt School in Shady Banks. George Gill came along one day and said he needed those lots for his subdivision. He was building homes in the area and dredging the two canals that run north and south. So I traded my four lots for this property here with a nice new seawall. After the war, I worked as a foreman at Dooley’s building 116′ and 136′ minesweepers and exporting them to the Netherlands to clean mines left over from WWII in the North Sea. They had to be wood to avoid setting off the mines.

RJ: What was the area like back then? BH: The original access road was from Davie Boulevard to Cypress Landing which is along the eastside where 15th Ave is separated by a median. That was where the Prospector was built for Jack Collison. Then the access road came on a diagonal through the middle of the room where we are right now to Starlite Landing and where Gil Sayward built the Starlite. Later they made 19th Ave which came in straight from Davie Boulevard which was convenient for me. Now they have blocked that off. All the houses you see now were built in the late 1950’s and 1960’s. If you look at my property here you see how quickly the shrubbery grows and what it looked like back them. You can see all the piles we have cut down recently. After the minesweepers, I was working on Tropic Rover. Sid Hartshorne was a long time friend who also lived here in Starlite Landing. He like me was a boat builder from the northeast. Sid had this idea to build a 150-foot catamaran. I guess everyone thought it was crazy. Sid designed and organized the whole project. He leased the clearing across the river from Dooley’s. The company was called the Catamarans of Florida. We had an office in a trailer on the clearing. Sid convinced a bunch of investors from Nassau and from over here including the outboard maker Lee Johnson that it would be a good charter venture. It took us exactly 1 year to build the Tropic Rover from 1961 to 1962.

RJ: Was Tropic Rover glass or wood? BH: She had Douglas fir frames double planked with plywood then glassed over with a fire retardant resin called Hectrin. It better be fire retardant with all that plywood! She was a dangerous fire hazard. She had a huge schooner rig with hollow box spars that we put in at Bahia Mar. Everything on her was massive. She was powered by twin cat diesels. Getting her down to Bahia Mar was quite an ordeal. I asked Sid, “Hey did you plan this out?” He went down and measured the railroad bridge, and it only had 40-foot horizontal clearance. Tropic Rover had 39-foot beam! We barely squeezed through there. I remember one of the tugs breaking a window.

RJ: What happened to her? BH: It was pretty successful I guess. They featured her in Life Magazine. Except that the Bahamians wouldn’t let the charter group settle in over there. They actually had to start out and pick up passengers at Port Everglades. The Bahamian government did not want any charter groups settling in over in Nassau. They ran out most of the chartering schooners and ships. Tropic Rover ran four or five day charters sailing over to Nassau and around the Bahamas to places such as Green Turtle Cay. She had at least six double cabins in each hull so that would be twenty four passengers there. I went over for the inaugural run to Nassau, and then they hired an all Bahamian crew. The captain’s quarter was athwartships in the platform. There was in the main salon a bar complete with brass railing. Aft most was the galley. They ran her very successfully for five years. Then in 1967 bad weather pushed her into sunken barges at the Nassau Harbor. She ran around on the jetties. I have a newspaper clipping. After a two hour rescue operation, she sunk. No one was lost. All of the 35 passengers and 15 crew members were saved.

Since the days of Tropic Rover and Dooley’s Yacht Basin, much has changed. After construction of the Tropic Rover in 1962, Summerfield Boat Works dredged the land and put up a seawall. The area became the live aboard nook at the yard behind the little old house that still stands. Currently the yard is vacant after a failed development project during the land craze of the 2000’s. The foreclosed property recently resold for $1.25 million on September 14, 2010 to Point Breeze Holdings LLC according to Broward County Property Records. On the south side, Lauderdale Marine Center no longer does new construction instead opting for refits and service.

Watching the mega yachts go by from Bix’s home in Starlite Landing is like looking into the future. And the funny thing is these yachts do not seem that impressive knowing the lineage of our area. The 2010 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show saw the introduction of the largest yacht ever built in the United States, Cakewalk, a 281-foot mega yacht built at the Derecktor Shipyard in Bridgeport, Connecticut. It seems like all of us in Fort Lauderdale, the yachting capital of the world, should once again build something like Tropic Rover.

22 Replies to “Tropic Rover, two masted 145-foot gaff rigged catamaran”

I have just watched the James Bond Movie ‘Thunderball’ and Tropic Rover is shown in the harbor at night time and James Bond swims under her with the bad guys racing in a boat betwenn the pontoons

I was fortunate to have sailed her as crew with Sid, Betty,Bruce,Ozzie and his son, Winnie and so many more. The 2 years I spent on her as deck hand were my fondest memories even to this day. It was like a dream during a different life time. Most all are gone now like the “Rover” herself, truly a story that should be told. I am awaiting the day when I will rejoin her and my old shipmate to continue our voyage. Billy Boats  

Thanks for commenting in Billy. Hope I have such good memories someday. Richard

I remember when A. C. Emerson’s “Summer Camp Afloat” chartered her for his summer camp in the Bahamas. After that they took over the Lloyd’s Hotel on Spanish Wells for their location.

Another interesting boat from Summer Camp Afloat was ” The Pride” a square rigged Barkentine . Spent some languid days on board , during the summer of 69. Wonder what ever happened to her.

Rusty, did you work for SCA in 69? I believe “The Pride” was still being used in by SCA in the summer of 1971 when I was on Spanish Wells working for SCA. That’s the last I remember of her.

4 of us college students worked on the ss tropic rover in january of 195.  It was quite a experience. One of the biggest storms in the gulf stream was in progress as we crossed it to pick up our passengers in bimini.  Capt. sid hardshorne was not on board during the storm but their was a austraillian captain i recall.  I was seasick for 60 hours and had never been on the ocean before. The ship behind us I bleive was called the polonyesian lost a crew member overboard during the storm. We  sustained some major damage on board.  I remember I was at the Helm and when the aussie came over and saw that we were heading to the  north atlantic and were way off course.   Needleess to say he was very angry and drunk.  A very bad sign for a captain of a sailing vessel.!!!!  We were at sea for approximately 2 weeks.  During my seasickness ozzie the cook was serving and i took  one bite of the food and immediatley threw it overboard.  Ozzie became incensed picked up a butcher knife and chased me around the deck of the boat. I was saved by capt. sid hartshorne.  I often wondered what he thought of the whole situation.  This story has been told dozens of time s to friends and relatives over almost 50years.  Theres lots more to the story.  Best Regards, Jerry Stamm   at [email protected]

The aussie was Roy if he was the tall quy with a goatee and was as fond of drink as Sid. Bruce was the short aussie, usually sober. I do not think Bruce was on board that trip so it had to be Roy. He and Sid got into it in Nassau and Sid fired Roy and Bruce came aboard. Anyway that storm broke the main boom and damaged one of the launches. The reason we were off course was to ride out the hugh swells that were hitting us and trying to get to the lee of the banks. The Polynesia of Mike Burks Windjammer fleet out of Miami was astern of us as well as Yankee Clipper and Mandalay, all competition. Ozzie was the cook for better or worse and his son was our engineer. It is nice to talk and remember, I am the young skinny kid named Billy in those days. Sid was like my dad and he was losing the ship to money troubles so he was understandably out of sorts over it. More later…..

Do you remember the “Sea-Fari” treasure-hunting camp for kids run off that boat in Bimini by chance back around 1968? My Dad was Captain Kruse who found a Spanish Galleon wreck and treasure that the Florida State claimed was within their borders (reduced from then 12 miles out to standard 3 miles today) and seized with armed Coast Guards with machine guns and put in Pensacola Museum (and many pieces of treasure have mysteriously disappeared over the years)? he was also on Joan Rivers short-lived show, called “That Show” with Recardo Montalban talking about the treasure.

My Dad was one of the Sea-Fari camp Captain heads during the sinking of Tropic Rover — Bob Kruse. He said the parents of the summer camp kids were there on board during the storm — including a pregnant woman. He said the Bahamian crew they were forced to use crashed the boat then took ALL the lifeboats, leaving the parents/kids stuck trying to get everyone off onto a pier it was bashing up against because there was no lifeboats left. He said the next morning, it looked like a pile of matchsticks from bashing all night against the rocks. Every kid on those Spanish treasure hunting exersions fondly remembered the time they found an actual treasure ship — even thought the Florida government took it all away claiming ownership.

I spent three summers on Grand Bahama, at the Jack Tar Hotel, with Summer Camp Afloat. I’m thinking that was in the early sixties. Anyone else out there a participant ? I remember a Jeff Birch, Eric Runnerstrom, and Charlsey from California, The SCUBA diving on the 80 ft reef was outstanding, with dive guide Nigel Froome.

My husband Mike Krause was a crew member on the Tropic Rover in 1965 along with….Thomas Owen Mechum, Billy Alan, Betty, and Anna Mason Willier. Ozzie was his mess mate, and Burnell his engineer. He remembers the treasure hunt sponsored by General Mills. He would love to make contact with anyone that was on the Tropic during that time.

Some pics from Tropic Rover days. My husband Mike Krause at the helm. Also, picture of my husband and Billy Allen

Also, picture of Mike Krause and Thomas O. Mechem aka Tucker

For you and Jerry I remember Well Roy jumping from the Seawall by the Purple Onion pulling himself aboard and running up to Sid with his Knife Pulled. I took over as the acting First Mate from then until I left for Service in the Navy March 1965. I believe Dave Gruten took over as the First Mate. My most exciting moments was walking the Broken Boom and lashing the damn thing down …sewing up that #2 Foresail took a week.

I worked on the Tropic Rover with Bob Colf and took over for him as first mate when he decided to get some engine room experience. He was a good first mate.I remember the trip where the boom broke after the Rover jibbed. Sid’s back was out and he didn’t make the trip.The ‘captain” for the trip was Bruce who spent the ruff part of the trip in his cabin leaving Bob and the rest of us to fend for ourselves. I had previously worked on the Brigantine Yankee so I had some experience. The only one that could handle the Rover was Sid and he wasn’t there.Bruce wanted to put in a mayday and was in touch with Sid on the radio.Sid wouldn’t allow that to happen.Great adventures and memories.I ran into Sid 20 years later when I was commissioning my own boat in Summerfield He hadn’t changed.He was trying to put up my wife.

Jerry,I remember you.I think I tied you to the foremast so you wouldn’t fall overboard.

I left just before your husband came aboard.I introduced Tuck to the Rover and Sid and was first mate at the time.Best Regards David

Just discovered your entry….would be extreamly grateful if there is anyway you could help me reach Tucker

Last I heard was in the late 80″s,he had a hotel on Culebra near Puerto Rico.We come from the same area in N.J.so I can make some inquires.My emaill is [email protected] .

A little recent research lead me to Bob Serges Obituary. Bob was Captain of The Pride. He passed in 2008 in NEw zealand and it says the Pride was scuttled off Fort Lauderdale as part of an artifical reef

Anyone remember Kevin “Buck” Price?

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Jeff Bezos’ New Yacht Is Finally Ready to Set Sail

Amazon’s founder has been spotted on Koru, a massive schooner with a design that evokes the golden age of sailing in the early 20th century.

By Kevin Koenig

Just in time for the high season of yachting in the Mediterranean, when multimillion-dollar megayachts descend on ports like Monte Carlo and St. Tropez, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been photographed with his partner Lauren Sánchez on his new boat, Koru, off the coast of Spain.

Mr. Bezos’ vessel is a sailing yacht, a departure from the diesel-powered, floating palaces popular with other billionaires. But it is still massive. At 417 feet, Koru is the world’s largest sailing yacht, according to Boat International , and it cost an estimated $500 million to build, Bloomberg reported . (Parsifal III, the boat featured on Bravo’s reality series “Below Deck Sailing Yacht,” is 177 feet long — less than half the length of Koru — and cost $18 million , according to the website SuperYachtFan.)

A spokesperson for Mr. Bezos did not comment for this article; neither did Oceanco, Koru’s builder. Here is what to know about the boat.

For traditionalists, Koru is refreshing. At a time when yacht design skews outrageous — see the lizardlike, 262-foot Artefact or the otherworldly 463-foot Yas — Koru stands out as a schooner, a sailing vessel with two or more masts. Photos reveal a large sailboat with three masts, an on-deck pool and a voluptuous mermaid on the bow, that bears a resemblance to Ms. Sánchez. But otherwise, the sleek, classic lines suggest the patrician age of yachting in the early 20th century, said Robert B. MacKay, author of “The Golden Age of Newport Yachting: Between the Wars.”

“With the clipper bow and the dark hull and the masts,” Mr. MacKay said, referring to Koru’s concave, pointy forward section, “it reminds me of a boat built in 1930 for J.P. Morgan Jr., Corsair IV. It is almost like a reincarnation. It’s certainly at odds with the stuff the oligarchs are building — those look like bloated Clorox bottles.”

Compared with the world’s very largest motor yachts — built for sheer size and the accompanying bragging rights — Koru could almost be considered quaint. Azzam, one of the world’s largest motor yachts, is nearly 200 feet longer.

The Experience

Koru will be propelled primarily by the wind. “Sailboats are usually greener than most powerboats,” said Don Anderson, a former captain of M5 , the world’s largest single-masted sailboat, at 256 feet. “I’d like to think that Koru will be one of the most ecological yachts out there, with its sails and also with the technology that will be aboard.”

“When you’re on a sailboat, you’re more in touch with the wind and the waves than on a powerboat,” he continued. “You’re more susceptible to the elements, too. But you can leave California, and once you get past the Catalinas you can basically surf downwind all the way to Hawaii. All you need to do is run with the waves.”

Mr. Bezos has been a guest on similar boats, according to Bloomberg: In 2019, he was spotted on Eos , a 305-foot sailing yacht owned by Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg.

Bill Tripp, a Connecticut-based naval architect, said the appeal of this type of boat is clear: “When you are on a powerboat, you ask, ‘Are we there yet?’ and on a sailboat, you’re enjoying the ride and the ocean so much that you don’t ask that question.”

Koru will be trailed by Abeona, a 246-foot support vessel. Superyachts often have support vessels following along behind them. These “shadows,” as they are colloquially known, are for the “toys” — the ATVs, supercars, seaplanes, motorcycles, smaller boats, scuba gear, personal submarines and even helicopters that pleasure boaters might bring on a trip. According to its builder, this model of boat can carry these gadgets along with dozens of crew members. (Ms. Sanchez flies helicopters, and the couple was recently photographed taking a helicopter to board Abeona and then Koru.)

Abeona, a motor yacht, will have enough range to follow Koru from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean — a common course for yachts — on a single tank of gas.

The Kerfuffle

Koru set off a controversy last year — before it was even completed — in a face-off with the Dutch city of Rotterdam. The boat was built at Oceanco’s facility in Alblasserdam, the Netherlands, and needed to pass the historic Koningshaven Bridge, known as “De Hef,” in Rotterdam, to undergo testing in the North Sea.

When the city announced it would dismantle the bridge to allow the boat and its mainmast — an estimated 230 feet tall — to pass through unscathed, locals were angry. They planned a protest to throw eggs at the yacht as it cruised by. In the end, the bridge was not taken apart, and the yacht was towed to a different location to have its masts attached.

Koru is Maori for “coil” or “loop” and refers to the unfurling of a fern frond. The koru design is common in traditional Maori art, where it symbolizes new life, growth and peace. Mr. Bezos included a photo of a koru frond in an Instagram post on Jan. 1, 2022.

Brad Stone, who was the first to report on Koru, in his 2021 book “Amazon Unbound: Jeff Bezos and the Invention of a Global Empire,” said the name was “consistent with where we see him today.”

“He is no longer this single-minded tech guy,” Mr. Stone said. “He’s in media and Hollywood and has a new relationship.”

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The best pictures of Koru

In 2022, the 125.8-metre sailing yacht Koru made history when she hit the water at Oceanco ’s Alblasserdam facilities. Now successfully delivered, she is the flagship of the Oceanco fleet and the largest Dutch-built yacht in the world. 

BOAT rounds up the best pictures of the three-masted sailing yacht owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos...

Koru unable to dock in Florida

Koru arrived at Port Everglades, Florida in November 2023 following a months-long Mediterranean cruise that included stopovers in Dubrovnik, Saint-Cyr-sur-Mer and Calabria (according to BOATPro ). The sailing yacht was too large to anchor in the nearby marina, which has a maximum capacity of 121.9 metres. She was photographed instead docking next to a 297-metre cruise ship named Rhapsody of the Seas .

Koru's helicopter landing

Last summer, Koru was spotted in the French Riveria alongside her 75-metre support vessel Abeona . Delivered by Damen Yachting two months before the mothership, Abeona is equipped with a helipad and hangar for a D14 value helicopter– which is clearly being put to good use. Accommodation is for up to 45 people onboard Bezos' support vessel, including crew, guests and other specialist staff.

Koru in Portofino

Koru and Abeona also travelled to Portofino in the summer of 2023, with both Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez sighted enjoying lunch and taking photographs while on board. 

Koru's figurehead

Throughout construction, it was difficult to get a glimpse of the details on board Koru ; but once handed over, all of her traditional features could be admired up close. As well as the intricate gold paintwork and scarlet bootstripe, the yacht also features an elaborate figurehead made of polished wood. The woman is wearing a necklace with a symbol in the pendant, which some have speculated could be the Māori symbol meaning "koru".

Koru in front of Palma Cathedral

After delivery, the schooner spent some time enjoying the waters of Mallorca. The Balearic hotspot is a magnet for superyachts during the Mediterranean season, but Koru had the quiet anchorage largely to herself after leaving the Oceanco shipyard. Her classic lines could be appreciated in all of their glory against the backdrop of Palma Cathedral. 

Koru delivered to Mallorca

In April 2023. Koru was delivered and undertook her maiden voyage from the Netherlands to Gibraltar. She then headed onwards to Palma, giving the world a first glimpse of her cascading aft decks, mighty masts and elaborate aft deck pool arrangement. She was flying solo in Mallorca, but was later joined by support vessel Abeona .

Koru in Gibraltar

Following her successful sea trials in Rotterdam, Koru embarked on journey to Palma, Mallorca that involved an overnight anchorage in Gibraltar. The sailing yacht was sighted passing through the Strait of Gibraltar a second time on her cross-continental journey from the Mediterranean to the USA in November 2023.

Koru on sea trials

Koru was spotted departing from Rotterdam in the early morning light of February 13 to begin sea trials. The 125.8-metre Oceanco set sail across the North Sea to put her performance to the test after hitting the water for the first time in August 2022. The traditional three-masted schooner yacht has a midnight blue hull, traditional canoe stern and the unique addition of a chair at the very tip of the bowsprit. Her name represents the idea of life’s perpetual movement and is a Māori word closely related to that of an unfurling leaf.

Koru with her masts stepped

The yacht was seen for the first time in her final form on the dock in the Port of Rotterdam. Her trio of masts was stepped here to avoid having to dismantle any bridges to allow the Oceanco giant yacht to pass under. The maximum height of the bridge is 70 metres; the masts on Koru are thought to measure between 65 and 85 metres. The first images of Koru indicate the yacht will have plenty of features for her owner to enjoy, including an aft deck pool and a large, uncluttered sundeck.

Koru launched

The 125.8-metre yacht was moved from Oceanco’s primary facilities at the crack of dawn to enter the final stages of construction. The hull was transported via Dordrecht and Spijkenisse (Oude Maas), and her masts were transported separately via the slightly shorter Rotterdam Centre (Nieuwe Maas).

Koru moves through the Dutch canals

Before she hit the water, the hull of Koru was loaded onto a transport vessel and she made the journey through the Dutch canals for further construction work. The yacht was captured against the backdrop of the quaint Dutch countryside, revealing her classic-looking lines and long rows of windows.

Koru from a bird's eye view

As she was wheeled out of the shed into the light of day, yacht-spotters were able to get their first proper aerial shot of the yacht, without her masts. 

Koru rolls out of the shed

When Oceanco completed the work on the hull, the yacht was rolled out of the shed to reveal a crisp navy hull and white superstructure. Koru ’s exterior design immediately drew a comparison to Lürssen’s 93-metre sailing yacht Eos , which was designed by US-based Langan Design . This was the world’s first sighting of the already iconic superyacht.

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