lateen rigged sailboat for sale

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Sunfish Sail Dinghy Reborn

• By Chad Gillis
• Updated: April 27, 2021

The Sunfish. For thousands of sailors around the world, it’s an iconic name that conjures memories of beautiful beaches, colorful sails, whipping winds and a freedom that only comes from such a simple small craft. Many sailors have centered their love for the sport on a Sunfish—at summer camps in the lakes of the Midwest, along coastal stretches of both American coasts, and on pretty much any stretch of water between. First offered as a DIY wood kit in the 1950s, the Sunfish has been a staple of the recreational sailing and racing scenes for decades as a relatively inexpensive one‑design dinghy.

The ubiquitous and ­colorful singlehander has stood the test of time, but today it is at a performance crossroads. Technology has long surpassed the boat’s one-design ­limitations, and new generations of sailors are now drawn to modern dinghy classes with better equipment. But what if the Sunfish were reimagined with modern blades and a more efficient sail? There are several movements afoot to do just that, with innovations driven by Sunfish fanatics taking development matters into their own hands.

Leading one charge in the sail-development department is Kevin Farrar, of Farrar Sails in New London, Connecticut. He’s now manufacturing a ­non-class-legal Sunfish sail, one that he says is much faster than the triangular rag of yesteryear. The boom is also shorter on this rig, yet the sail area is increased by about 8 square feet.

“It’s clearly a significant change,” Farrar says. He’s been working his version of the Sunfish sail for several years. “The concept is to make something that’s going to make the boat appeal to 16-year-olds out there. This is a modern design, and it really works.”

His sails are getting faster too, generation by generation, as he makes tweaks that have also made the classic boat appear more modern. “Off the wind, [the latest generation is] radically faster than even what we were making in the second generation of sails,” Farrar says. “[The boats] are planing much faster. I’m not sure if they’re planing upwind quite yet, but it has taken [the Sunfish] a step beyond what the Laser is.”

Them might be fighting words. The Laser has long been the standard singlehanded dinghy, and it’s one of the most popular racing classes on the planet, but Farrar hopes his sail will help breathe new life into Sunfish sailing, perhaps even draw a new generation to what seems to be a declining class.

“It’s the basic lateen rig except that the sail area is 83 square feet, and the top of the sail is parallel to the waterline. You’re getting a lot more of the sail up and in better air,” Farrar says. “The boom has been shortened to about 10 feet.”

All equipment used in official Sunfish-class racing must have been offered by the builder at some point in the boat’s life cycle. And while the Sunfish’s modern blades are a big step up from the wooden blades of the early days, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. And that’s where Kent Misegades comes into the story. At his AeroSouth facilities, in Seven Lakes, North Carolina, he’s stamping out some pretty slick-looking foils for his Sunfish. He has a vertical rudder that has minimal weather helm, even in stronger winds. The current class-approved rudder is notorious for having strong weather helm when the wind pipes above 15 knots. Misegades says his rudder is better and faster (especially upwind), and it costs about the same as the Sunfish-class-supplied rudder. “I understand the one-design concept,” he says. “It’s an even playing field, so it really does come down to a comparison of skills. I understand it, but that, of course, kills innovation, so there are two sides to it.”

Misegades said he isn’t yet targeting the class ­association or asking racers to adopt his new daggerboard and ­rudder designs. He knows that most Sunfish owners don’t race, but no good sailor would ever argue against better handling. “I knew from the outset that any change of rules for the class is pretty involved, for good reason,” he says, “so, I never went about trying to convince the class to adopt them. We’ve never really gone to class ­racing, but something that’s intrigued me is there’s been discussion of a new rudder, and it’s opened their eyes to potentially get gear from a third party.”

Misegades says his ­rudder dramatically improves the Sunfish’s notorious weather helm, but he had other goals in mind during the design process. “The weather helm wasn’t my primary goal; it was mainly to reduce drag to improve pointing and speed,” he says. “I went through a lot of different plans; hundreds of iterations happened.

“It all comes down to the angle of the rudder, and in all angles, this rudder really is superior,” Misegades ­continues. “But there is one drawback to this vertical rudder in that it doesn’t scull. The Sunfish ­rudder does do that well.”

Misegades’ rudder is also prone to stalling during a tack if the helmsperson is not careful. “This vertical narrow rudder will whip the boat around, but it’s not nearly as ­effective as the standard rudder,” Misegades says.

AeroSouth’s foils are ­comparable in price to what class builders offer today. The wood-and-carbon version of the daggerboard is $350, which is less than the official class boar. AeroSouth’s rudder is $300.

The International Sunfish Class Association is likely to be slow in adopting this new gear, however. Perhaps for good reason. Larry Suter, who has raced Sunfish in seven different decades, has been pushing the class to set the stock rudder to 90 degrees. Doing so would be at least one step forward, he says. “If you go out in a Sunfish in 14 or 15 knots of wind, and if you feel the pull on the tiller and the pull on the mainsheet, it’s the same force,” Suter explains. “[The 90-degree rudder angle] really makes the boat a nice boat to sail. It doesn’t have the weather helm, and you don’t have to fight it.”

Lynne Randall, Florida Peninsula region representative for the Sunfish Class, is familiar with the new sails and blades being developed outside the manufacturer’s specs, and she is cognizant that the class association can’t simply change equipment every time a new piece of gear comes to market.

“It’s a really strong one-design group around here, so you have to keep the boat [setup in a way that’s] approved by the class,” Randall says. “These changes are interesting and fun, and some people are trying them out, but as far as one-design racing goes, you can’t do it.”

Randall says that the new gear will require investigation, testing, adopting and tweaking before it gets anywhere near approval under the class regulations. Drawing new sailors to an old class is an exciting idea, but so too is retaining the sailors who make up the bulk of the racing fleet

“Of course we want to grow the class, and it’s one of those things that evolves,” Randall says. “But if you want to sail ­recreationally, there are ways to try different things.”

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Boat plans to make the sea more beautiful

Gabian: a lateen rigged boat.

• Post author: François Vivier
• Post published: 9 January 2016
• Post category: Actualités / Launchings / Wooden boat-building
• Post comments: 2 Comments

For many years, I had in mind to draw a Mediterranean boat, named pointu or barquette on the French Med coast. Michel Aubert, living in the countryside near Fréjus and Cannes, gave me the chance. As most of my designs, I did not try to draw a true replica of a given traditional boat, but to create something inspired from tradition, but suitable for both home builders and present days use. In particular, the boat had to be trailerable and easy to launch, such that it not necessary to have a permanent mooring. The hull length is 5 m for 1.75 m breadth, making the boat built and maintained in a current size garage. Dimensions and hull lines are close to existing barquette .

These Mediterranean hulls have a pointed stern. So, it is difficult to use the strip planking building method. Plywood clinker is very far from Mediterranean tradition and was not an acceptable way. Therefore, we have decided to build as a carvel hull, but using plywood boards. We use in fact the stitch and tape method, but with a high number of planks, 10 per side. All planks are CNC cut. Holes for stitching are also drilled by the CNC machine. The up-to-date 3D design software allows getting a very high accuracy, planks not requiring any adjustment, except to cut both ends. The hull is planked over a plywood egg box: backbone made of several layers of layers and bulkheads/frames. Buoyancy compartments are made at both ends.

Gabian is lateen rigged, with mainsail and jib. The lateen mainsail stands always on the same side of the mast. The mast is short and easily stepped. It is possible to use the “Catalan” type rig, with the lateen sail only which is changed from one side of the mast to the other when tacking. Then the mast is raked forward, but using the same mast partner. Using the Catalan sail is more complicated but allows to learn all the wealth of this rig used all around the Mediterranean sea in the past.We gave up using a centreboard, not consistent with a mast stepped close to mid-length. The keel has been made high (15 cm), with rocker, to get good upwind performance. Lead ballast (40 kg) is inserted into the plywood keel, which is only 36 mm thick to reduce drag. A water ballast, about 160 litres, gives the boat a displacement hull behavior, very useful if singlehanded. It is suggested to use a trailer without centreline rollers, allowing the hull to lay as low as possible and easing launching and retrieving. The rudder fittings allow to raise the rudder it when beaching.

We gave up using a centreboard, not consistent with a mast stepped close to mid-length. The keel has been made high (15 cm), with rocker, to get good upwind performance. Lead ballast (40 kg) is inserted into the plywood keel, which is only 36 mm thick to reduce drag. A water ballast, about 160 litres, gives the boat a displacement hull behavior, very useful if singlehanded. It is suggested to use a trailer without centreline rollers, allowing the hull to lay as low as possible and easing launching and retrieving. The rudder fittings allow to raise the rudder it when beaching.

The pointed stern makes difficult a motor arrangement. Most Med boats have fixed engines, but they are now very expensive and add weight, not desirable on a trailerable boat. We have studied several way to arrange an outboard, using 3D design. We have finally chosen an off-centered motor well of simple geometry. The owner preferred an electric motor, which is an excellent choice. The Torqeedo travel is light and is easily moved and stowed under side deck when under sail.

The deck arrangement is typical of Mediterranean custom, with a hatch of a moderate width allowing to close the deck with covers. It is possible to sleep on board, as the floorboard is 1.2 m wide. As the boat is almost decked, a simple tent is enough. A large locker is fitted ahead of the mast.

The first Gabian was built between February and July 2015 by Arwen Marine boatbuilder . Then Michel Aubert has made the rigging job. The boat, named Hasta Cipango , has been launched at the end of summer. Her behaviour at sea is very satisfactory, including with bad weather conditions as the Med is able to offer. The 2016 season will show how Gabian compares with other boats.

My intention is to work out this year the building instructions for home builders. If you are interested in building the boat, do not hesitate to get in touch with me. Please note that he study plan is an extract of the building plans and instructions. Therefore, it is not presently available.

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This post has 2 comments.

Lovely design. Reminiscent of a larger, Italian Leudo, I think. Fast, no doubt. Beautiful work..

Dear Francois, Living and working in Venezuela we do a lot of sailing along the 3.000 kms coast of Venezuela with the Caribbean. Being in Southern France last summer, I fell in love with the Pointu all along the Var departement. Could you help me out to buy a set of plans to construct a Pointu myself. I consider 5.50 meters as the perfect size for us. Hope to read you soon, Kind regards, Titus P.S If preferred we could write in French as well. T.

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Le poids lège est proche de la définition de masse lège définie par la norme ISO 8666.

C’est le poids du bateau prêt à naviguer avec un armement minimum comprenant la voilure de base, le moteur de puissance moyenne recommandée, une ligne de mouillage et quelques amarres. S’il y a un ballast liquide, il est vide.

Pour les voile-aviron, il n’y a pas de poids moteur mais le poids des avirons. S’il y a plusieurs versions de gréement, je prend la plus simple.

Le poids est susceptible de varier d’un bateau à l’autre en fonction du choix des essences de bois et des équipements choisis.

Il est courant que le poids indiqué sur les documentations d’autres architectes ou chantiers, ou publiés dans la presse, ne soit que celui de la coque seule et parfois même fortement sous estimé. Aussi je vous invite à faire preuve de discernement lors de la comparaison de mes bateaux avec d’autres.

Lire avant de passer commande

Le dossier d’évaluation est un extrait du plan pour en savoir plus avant achat. Donc inutile d’acheter plan et dossier d’évaluation.

Le plan, ou dossier de construction, est le document de base pour construire le bateau. Il comporte dessins, instructions de montage, photos, listes de matériaux et fournitures, etc… Il donne droit à une assistance par email ou téléphone. Le plan doit être acheté pour construire le bateau.

Ce bateau ne peut être construit qu’avec un kit de contreplaqué en découpe numérique ou les tracés vraie grandeur. L’un ou l’autre doivent être acheté en complément du plan. Compte tenu du nombre important de panneaux de contreplaqué, le kit est vivement conseillé.

Vous pouvez aussi commander des fichiers de découpe numérique pour faire découper le kit par une entreprise de votre choix.

Pour commander un kit, s’adresser à l’un de mes partenaires.

Les frais postaux et la TVA, si elle s’applique, sont inclus dans les prix affichés.

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Become the Confident Skipper of Your Own Sailboat

Lateen sail is fun but here’s what you need to know.

• Post author: Anns
• Post published: October 22, 2022
• Post category: Uncategorized
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Introduction

The lateen sail is a triangular sail on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, running in a fore-and-aft direction. It is common in the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea

Lateen Sail Is Fun But Here’s What You Need To Know: A blog about lateen sails and why they are awesome.

There are many reasons to love the lateen sail. First, it is an efficient sail shape that you can use for almost any type of sailing adventure. In addition, the design allows the boat to be easily controlled in different winds and waves by simply changing the angle of the sail. Finally, this shape allows you to set up your boat faster than other types of sails because there are fewer pieces involved!

A lateen or latin sail is a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, running in a fore-and-aft direction.

A latin or lateen sail is a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast, running in a fore-and-aft direction. The sail derives its name from its shape which is similar to that of an equilateral triangle. In some texts it may be referred to as a latten sail (or latin) due to the material from which it was traditionally made.[1]

The triangular shape allows the sheeting angle of the attached spar to vary continuously along its length; this allows for greater control of sailing performance than if it were fixed at only one point along the mast.[2] A pair of such sails form one unit called thus: “two sails” would be two units and so on.

The earliest known depiction of an Egyptian vessel with such sails comes from an bas relief dating back as far as 1250 BC.[4] This relief shows an early example where two men are operating each side of these fore-and-aft rigged vessels, both equipped with long sticks used for steering and sailing.[5][6]

The lateen evolved out of the square rigged tanja sail, used by the Arabs and Greeks to reach East Africa and the Indian Ocean.

The lateen sail evolved out of the square rigged tanja sail, used by the Arabs and Greeks to reach East Africa and the Indian Ocean.

The tanja sail consisted of a square-shaped sail with its yard hung from a long spar called a boom. The boom was either attached to or parallel to the mast, depending on whether it was held away from or towards the centerline of the boat.

The modern Arab dhow is still rigged with one or two lateens, while most other boats use a fore and aft sloop rig, sometimes with a jib.

The main advantage of the lateen rig is that it allows the sail to be flown from a short mast and yet keep its shape and not collapse as happens with most other rigs. Because this sailboat has a triangular sail, it is also easier to tack when sailing in light winds.

Lateen sails are easy for one person to handle, so they are usually used on small boats by people who don’t want their boats to be too big or complicated. They are also good for sailing in shallow waters because the boat can get closer to shore than other types of boats can.

Lateens were also used on Roman ships to round the Iberian peninsula.

According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, the Romans used lateens on their ships to sail around the Iberian peninsula. This was incredibly important because they were able to conquer Spain using these ships.

However, while lateen sails are quite useful when it comes to maneuverability, they aren’t very effective at powering a large ship through rough water. Because of this limitation and other factors such as weight distribution and sail area ratio (the amount of surface area covered by the front of a given sail compared with its height), Roman war galleys didn’t use lateen sails.

From the beginning of the 12th century, as trade flourished between Egypt and India, the lateen gradually came into use in the Mediterranean.

The lateen sail was introduced to the Mediterranean in the 12th century, as trade flourished between Egypt and India. It was used for sailing on Arab dhows and Roman ships, which were usually merchant vessels.

The lateen sail is also known as the triangular sail because of its shape—a long triangle that makes up one side of a sailboat. This type of sail has been used in China since at least as far back as 700 B.C., but it didn’t become popular until after being adopted by Arab sailors during their voyages around Africa and into Asia in search of spices.

The Chinese junks have a hybrid rigging – with a forward-facing boom-rigged mainmast with one or more lugsails, and one or more lugsails on each side of the mizzen mast.

The Chinese junks have a hybrid rigging – with a forward-facing boom-rigged mainmast with one or more lugsails, and one or more lugsails on each side of the mizzen mast. The foremasts are usually rigged with junk sails, while the after mast may carry either square-rigged or junk gear.

We hope you found this article interesting and helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask them in the comments below!

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The Definition And History Of The Lateen (Triangular) Sail

Sailing, as we know it today, has been shaped by many developments and innovations throughout history. One of the most significant inventions that has helped to make sailing the sport it is today is the lateen sail. 

The lateen sail is identifiable by its triangular shape (see also ‘ Why Are Sails Made In A Triangular Shape? ‘) with a sloping yard that is longer than the other sides of the sail. 

These days, lateen sails (or the modernized versions, at least) are commonplace, but what exactly are they and how were they developed? That’s what we’re going to be exploring in today’s article. 

What Is The Lateen Sail? 

As previously mentioned, the lateen sail is a triangular sail where one side is secured to a sloping yard by each of its two corners. The third corner of the sail is secured to the sailboat close to the deck. 

Lateen sails, unlike some other sails, are mounted towards the middle of the mast, and the direction the sail runs in is known as ‘fore and aft’, which means that it runs both forwards and backwards, allowing it to withstand wind from both sides of the vessel.

Eventually, the lateen sail would be designed to allow ships using it to sail into the wind which, as we will find out over the course of this article, was instrumental in revolutionizing sailing. 

If you were wondering where the word ‘lateen’ comes from, it’s actually derived from ‘Latin’.

The reason for this is that the lateen sail’s origins have been pinpointed to the Mediterranean during the Roman era, although the invention really came into its own during the Age of Discovery. 

At the beginning of this article, we touched on the fact that the lateen sail is still used today. However, the version you’ll see on modern sailboats in the 21st century are modernized versions of the original design, known as crab claw sails.

We’ll be going into more detail about this later. For now, though, let’s explore the history of the lateen sail from the Roman era to the 14th century and beyond. 

The Lateen Sail’s History 

The roman empire .

If you’ve read through the article so far, you’ll already know that the lateen sail dates back to the Roman Empire. 

The lateen sail’s history actually begins with another kind of sail called the square sail rig. This is a type of rigging where multiple sails are mounted to a ship using horizontal spars. This was the design that inspired the evolution of the lateen rig. 

For a long time, it was unclear when exactly the lateen sail dated back to.

That was until a Belgian maritime historian named Lucian Basch pointed out that a Hellenistic painting from Alexandria dated at roughly the 1st century BC actually features a lateen rig, indicating that the lateen sail’s evolution dates back to at least this period in history. 

A lateen sail ship from roughly the year 400 AD has also been excavated, and the experts that helped to reconstruct the ship have stated that it’s likely the lateen sail’s existence extends further back than historical documentation would imply.

It is now thought that the lateen sail was actually developed by Muslim-led fleets before it began to be used in the Mediterranean. 

The 6th – 10th Centuries 

Until the 6th century AD, the square sail was the standard for sailors, hence the identification of the square sail rig as the starting point of the evolution of the lateen sail. 

However, by the end of the 6th century, the lateen sail had been established as the most effective type of sail, and it had almost completely replaced the original square sail, at least in the Mediterranean. 

The Byzantine dromon war gallery used the lateen sail as well, and considering that this ship has been hailed as the warship of greatest significance throughout the whole of the Byzantine period, this goes to show what an important innovation the lateen sail was. 

Various different navies around the world began using the lateen sail between the 6th century and the 10th century as the popularity of the hook-shaped masthead began to increase, showing that the lateen sail’s efficiency and benefits for sailing were beginning to become common knowledge. 

The 14th Century Onwards 

After the 14th century, the lateen sail continued to become established throughout the world. Baltic and Atlantic sailing vessels started using the lateen sail rather than the square sail from the 14th century onwards. 

During the late Middle Ages, the lateen sail became commonplace in Northern Europe as well. 

Contributions Of The Lateen Sail

In the section above, we covered how the lateen sail evolved out of the square sail rig and spread throughout the world between the Roman era and the Middle Ages. 

However, we haven’t yet covered the reasons behind the massive surge in the popularity of the lateen sail and why it eventually replaced the square sail in navies worldwide. 

Here are some of the main reasons for the lateen sail’s popularity in terms of what this sail design contributed to sailing as a whole: 

Better Maneuverability 

One of the biggest advantages of the lateen sail over other sail designs, including the square sail rig, is that it allows for greater maneuverability. 

Being able to maneuver a ship efficiently, especially in challenging weather conditions, is extremely important, and so a sail’s ability to facilitate this is crucial. 

Part of the reason why lateen sails made maneuverability easier is that they allowed ships to sail closer to the wind, which meant that weather conditions were less of a problem when it came to altering the course of a ship. 

However, more than that, lateen sails also operated using a pulley or block system known as a halyard system, where lines run through the sail starting at the stern and going all the way up the mast and down to the stern again. 

Halyard systems were instrumental in allowing reefing, which is where the sail area is made smaller to reduce the power during strong winds. This made the experience of sailing much more flexible and safer overall. 

More Speed 

Lateen sails allowed ships to travel faster than the previous square sail rig design had done, especially in the case of Caravel ships.  

The faster speeds achieved by Caravel ships using lateen sails made excursions and explorations much easier and quicker. Sometimes, the lateen sail would be combined with the square sail, as Columbus did when crossing the Atlantic. 

Greater Load Bearing 

We mentioned earlier that lateen sails improved the maneuverability of ships, but this had more benefits than simply making it easier to steer.

One of the biggest advantages of the increased maneuverability provided by the lateen sail was that ships were now able to carry more cargo. 

When you think about it, this makes a lot of sense. Before the lateen sail, ships did not have as much flexibility when it came to changing speed or course.

This meant that in order to maximize the maneuverability of a ship, the crew would have to minimize the amount of cargo on board to ensure that the ship was as light as possible for the rowers. 

With the advent of the lateen sail, heavier cargo was able to be transported since the rowing ability of the crew was no longer the main factor.

Not only did this mean that ships could transport more food and other necessities during excursions, but it was also a major step forward for commercial empires such as Venice. 

Venice was able to become hugely successful as a European commercial empire because its use of lateen sail ships allowed for the transportation of products throughout the Mediterranean. 

Designed For Longer Distances 

Part of the reasoning behind the design of the lateen sail was that it allowed ships to travel longer distances since it meant that ships could sail closer to the wind and at faster speeds. 

In fact, countries such as Spain and Portugal relied on sea travel over long distances to increase their national statuses, and the lateen sail was an instrumental part of this.

Spanish and Portuguese ships would travel long distances to other countries so that they could trade goods from those countries and build status as a result. 

Enabled Land Discovery

We just discussed how the lateen sail’s increased speed and maneuverability allowed for travel by ship over longer distances, and how this allowed countries to build national status and grow through trade. 

However, this new ability to travel greater distances also enabled the discovery of countries and lands that had not yet been explored.

This is one of the main ways in which the lateen sail contributed to what is now known as the Age of Exploration, between the 1400s and 1600s. 

This period of history is called the Age of Exploration because this is the period in which nations throughout Europe began to use ships to go on excursions and explore the rest of the world, which is what led to the discovery of countries in the Far East as well as the Americas. 

Developments In Warfare 

In addition to land discovery, the benefits of the lateen sail that we have described so far (speed, maneuverability, load bearing and distance travel) all helped to create developments in the field of naval warfare. 

Naval ships needed to bring more supplies if they were going to war because it was unclear how long the ship would be at sea, so the ability to carry more was of the utmost importance.

Lateen sails were also able to improve the maneuverability and speeds of larger, heavier ships with cannons on board, which was why the Dutch, Spanish, French and English all used lateen sails for their fleets during the 19th century. 

This had a significant impact on the balance of political power during the Crusades. 

The Modernization Of The Lateen Sail 

The crab claw sail .

We’ve already mentioned that while the lateen sail is still around today, it’s been modernized since its invention and is now usually known by a different name: the crab claw sail. 

It’s called the crab claw sail because it has a spar along the foot of the sail. This spar is aligned horizontally and connects to the mast. The joints in the sail spars have been designed to rotate in every direction for maximum flexibility. 

With this design, the sail sheet is connected to the spar at the bottom while the halyard connects to the spar at the top. The bottom spars stay parallel to the mast so that the sail forms a cone-shaped triangle. 

The Sunfish Sailboat 

Another difference between the lateen sail now compared to centuries ago is that lateen sails are now mainly used in smaller sailboats, typically those classified as recreational sailboats. 

Probably the most common example of a lateen sailboat in the modern day is the Sunfish, which is an individual-sized sailboat designed for personal use.

The modernized lateen sail on the Sunfish sailboat is attached to the mast and works using just one halyard, two lines, and of course, the sail sheet. 

These smaller, modern lateen sails are easy to work with and can be adjusted using a third line. This line can be used to pull on the lower spar so that it does down, creating tension in the other spars and allowing more control over the movements and positioning of the sail.

Final Thoughts 

The lateen sail has a fascinating history that spans from before the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages into the 19th century and, eventually, the modern day. 

This triangular sail revolutionized exploration, trading, and naval warfare by providing better speed, maneuverability, load bearing, and distance.

Countries were able to establish themselves and build status by fitting their fleets with lateen sails, and the use of these sails led to some of the greatest discoveries in history. 

Today, the lateen sail is better known as the crab claw sail and is used recreationally for smaller sailboats because of the simplicity and ease of use of its design. 

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The Importance of the Lateen Sail: A Key Innovation in Maritime History

Alex Morgan

The lateen sail, an ancient and ingenious sail design, holds immense historical significance and has had a profound impact on maritime exploration, trade, shipbuilding, and navigation techniques. To fully appreciate its importance, it is essential to understand what a lateen sail is and its historical context.

A lateen sail is a triangular sail with a long yard that is set at an angle to the mast. It is a versatile and efficient sail design that originated in the ancient Mediterranean and was widely used by various civilizations, including the Phoenicians, Arabs, and the Romans.

The lateen sail played a crucial role in maritime history. Its advantages and benefits are numerous, making it a favored choice for sailors across different time periods. Improved maneuverability is one of its key advantages, allowing ships to navigate with agility and ease. The triangular shape of the sail enables efficient utilization of wind energy, making it effective in different wind directions. the lateen sail is adaptable to various vessel types, from small fishing boats to large trading vessels.

The impact of the lateen sail on maritime exploration and trade cannot be overstated. With the advent of this sail, trade routes expanded, connecting distant regions and facilitating the exchange of goods, ideas, and cultures. The lateen sail enabled sailors to explore and discover new territories, contributing to the age of exploration. Its unique design revolutionized naval warfare, enhancing the maneuverability and speed of warships, leading to significant advancements in naval tactics.

The influence of the lateen sail extended beyond exploration and trade. It spurred innovation in shipbuilding, leading to the evolution of ship designs to accommodate the unique characteristics of the lateen rig. The incorporation of rigging systems and improvements in navigation techniques were also a direct result of the lateen sail’s influence.

Despite technological advancements, the legacy of the lateen sail continues to thrive. Traditional sailboats that rely on the lateen rig maintain cultural significance in various parts of the world. the lateen sail finds its modern applications in recreational sailing, with enthusiasts appreciating its efficiency and graceful aesthetics. Efforts to revive and preserve this ancient sail design bring us closer to understanding and appreciating the historical roots of sailing.

Key takeaway:

• The lateen sail enhanced maneuverability: Its triangular shape allowed for efficient navigation and maneuvering, enabling sailors to effectively control their vessels.
• Increased efficiency in different wind directions: The lateen sail was versatile, allowing ships to sail effectively into the wind, giving sailors greater flexibility in their routes.
• Adaptability to various vessel types: The lateen sail could be utilized on different types of vessels, from large trading ships to smaller fishing boats, making it a widely applicable and useful sail design.

What is a Lateen Sail?

The lateen sail is a triangular sail attached at an angle to the mast of a sailing vessel. It is one of the oldest and most versatile sail designs in maritime history. Its distinctive shape improves maneuverability, especially against the wind, and allows for efficient sailing in different wind directions.

The lateen sail has been adapted to various vessel types, including small fishing boats, traditional dhows, and large merchant ships. Its versatility and efficiency in different sailing conditions made it a preferred choice for sailors throughout history.

Historically, the lateen sail played a significant role in maritime exploration and trade. It expanded trade routes, allowing sailors to reach distant lands and establish new trading relationships. It also enabled ships to navigate through narrow waterways and shallow coastal areas easily. In naval warfare, the lateen sail provided increased speed and maneuverability in battle.

The lateen sail influenced shipbuilding and navigation techniques. It led to the evolution of ship designs and the development of rigging systems to control the sail efficiently. New navigation techniques were cultivated to take advantage of its capabilities.

Today, the lateen sail is still used in traditional sailboats and represents a cultural heritage. It is also used in modern recreational sailing, where enthusiasts value its historical significance and unique sailing experience. Efforts are being made to revive and preserve the lateen sail for future generations of sailors.

Historical Significance of the Lateen Sail

The historical significance of the lateen sail cannot be underestimated, as it played a crucial role in shaping maritime history. This triangular sail revolutionized sailing techniques by greatly improving maneuverability. Sailors were now able to sail against the wind more effectively, expanding navigation and exploration possibilities.

The lateen sail facilitated trade and cultural exchange by expanding trade routes. It connected distant regions, promoting the exchange of goods and ideas. Ships equipped with this innovative sail were able to travel long distances, establishing prosperous trade networks.

Not only did the lateen sail influence sailing techniques, but it also had a profound impact on shipbuilding and rigging practices. The introduction of this sail prompted advancements in ship designs. Vessels were specifically built to harness the full potential of the lateen sail , resulting in lighter and more agile ships. New rigging systems were developed to optimize the sail’s performance.

Even today, traditional sailing vessels with lateen rigs hold cultural significance in various regions. These sailboats symbolize the historical importance of the lateen sail . Sailboat races, maritime festivals, and preservation efforts are dedicated to celebrating and preserving the legacy of this sail.

Advantages and Benefits of the Lateen Sail

Ahoy there! In this section, we’ll set sail on an exploration of the advantages and benefits offered by the lateen sail . Get ready to navigate through the improved maneuverability , increased efficiency in different wind directions , and the remarkable adaptability the lateen sail brings to various vessel types. So, batten down the hatches , and let’s discover why this sail was such a game-changer in the world of sailing!

Improved Maneuverability

Improved maneuverability is a key benefit of the lateen sail , making it a crucial innovation in sailing technology.

• Greater agility: The triangular shape of the lateen sail allows for precise control over the vessel’s direction. Sailors can adjust the angle and tension to optimize maneuvering capabilities.
• Efficiency in tacking: Tacking, the maneuver of changing direction against the wind, is easier with the lateen sail. It can swing from one side to the other, enabling sailors to navigate narrow channels or sail closer to the wind.
• Enhanced responsiveness: The lateen sail’s design facilitates immediate responses to changes in wind direction. Swift adjustments in course ensure a safer and more efficient sailing experience.

The improved maneuverability provided by the lateen sail played a significant role in maritime history. It empowered sailors to navigate challenging waters, explore new territories, and expand trade routes. Ships equipped with lateen sails also revolutionized naval warfare, providing an advantage in battles at sea.

Efficiency in Different Wind Directions

The lateen sail’s efficiency in different wind directions is a result of its unique design. Whether facing a headwind, tailwind, or side wind, the lateen sail proves to be highly effective.

In a headwind , the lateen sail allows the vessel to tack efficiently, sailing at a forward angle against the wind. This characteristic ensures that progress is made even when facing adverse weather conditions.

When sailing with a tailwind , the lateen sail can be set at a shallow angle to catch the wind directly from behind. This maximizes speed and allows for efficient travel in the desired direction.

The lateen sail is particularly efficient when sailing with a side wind . Its triangular shape and flexible design generate lift, propelling the vessel forward even when faced with perpendicular wind.

Throughout history, the lateen sail’s efficiency in various wind directions has made it a versatile choice for sailors. Its adaptability ensured that vessels could maintain speed and progress in any direction. This feature played a significant role in exploration , trade , and warfare .

To further enhance efficiency, sailors would adjust the lateen sail’s angle and position relative to the wind. By understanding how wind direction affects its performance, sailors could optimize their journeys and make the most of the lateen sail’s capabilities.

Adaptability to Various Vessel Types

The lateen sail is versatile and can be used on different types of vessels. It is effective on smaller vessels like fishing boats and dhows . Even larger vessels like merchant ships and warships can use the lateen sail for efficient propulsion. Its design allows for easy modification to fit different hull shapes and sizes. The lateen sail offers various rigging configurations to optimize performance based on each vessel’s specific needs. This adaptability has made the lateen sail popular across different cultures and time periods.

The Impact of the Lateen Sail on Maritime Exploration and Trade

The lateen sail , a revolutionary maritime innovation, left an indelible mark on exploration, trade, and naval warfare. As we delve into the impact of this unique sail, we’ll unveil how it opened up new trade routes, fueled the exploration of uncharted territories, and changed the tides of naval warfare. Prepare to embark on a journey through the historical significance and transformational power of the lateen sail. Let’s set sail into the captivating world shaped by this game-changing invention.

Expansion of Trade Routes

The expansion of trade routes was greatly influenced by the lateen sail . This unique triangular sail allowed ships to navigate different wind directions easily, making it a crucial tool in maritime exploration.

European explorers such as Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama utilized the lateen sail during the Age of Discovery, taking advantage of trade winds and the adaptability of this rig. This enabled them to reach distant lands and establish lucrative trade connections, contributing to the expansion of trade routes and the exchange of goods and resources.

The lateen sail was not limited to European explorers, as it also played a vital role in traditional Arab dhows, connecting civilizations across the Indian Ocean.

Even in modern times, the expansion of trade routes continues to shape global commerce, with the historical significance of the lateen sail influencing navigation techniques, shipbuilding designs, and the world economy.

Exploration of New Territories

During the age of maritime exploration, the lateen sail played a crucial role in the exploration of new territories. This innovative sail design allowed ships to sail efficiently against the wind, enabling sailors to venture into uncharted waters and expand their knowledge of new territories.

The lateen sail ‘s ability to harness wind from various directions made it valuable for the exploration of new territories. Unlike traditional square sails, which could only sail downwind or at an angle, the lateen sail allowed sailors to take advantage of shifting winds and explore previously inaccessible regions. This increased maneuverability opened up new possibilities for exploration and the discovery of new territories.

With the lateen sail , explorers were able to navigate through narrow passages and explore coastlines of new territories more effectively. The sail’s triangular shape and adjustable rigging system gave sailors greater control over their vessels, allowing them to make precise maneuvers and safely traverse the treacherous waters of new territories.

One notable example of the lateen sail ‘s impact on the exploration of new territories is the journeys of famous explorers like Vasco da Gama and Christopher Columbus . These adventurers used ships equipped with lateen sails to sail against prevailing winds and reach new territories, leading to the discovery of new trade routes and the expansion of global trade in new territories.

In the 15th century, the lateen sail played a crucial role in the exploration of the Indian Ocean by the Chinese admiral Zheng He . With his fleet of treasure ships equipped with lateen sails , Zheng He embarked on ambitious voyages, exploring new territories and establishing diplomatic relations with distant lands. His journeys brought him to places like East Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Southeast Asia, significantly expanding China’s knowledge of the world and leaving a lasting impact on maritime exploration and the exploration of new territories.

Revolutionizing Naval Warfare

The lateen sail played a crucial role in revolutionizing naval warfare by providing significant advantages to fleets. It enhanced maneuverability, allowing ships to respond quickly to changes in wind direction, navigate, and engage in combat more effectively.

The triangular shape of the lateen sail revolutionized speed and efficiency, harnessing the wind’s power in various directions. Naval fleets equipped with lateen sails gained a tactical advantage, sailing closer to the wind and executing offensive or defensive maneuvers with precision.

This revolutionary flexibility in sailing capabilities led to strategic dominance, enabling fleets to project power over longer distances, expand naval empires , dominate trade routes, and effectively blockade and mobilize fleets.

The influence of the lateen sail on naval warfare was profound, shaping strategies, tactics, and ship designs for centuries. It played a crucial role in revolutionizing historical naval battles and significantly impacted maritime history.

Influence of the Lateen Sail on Shipbuilding and Navigation Techniques

The influence of the lateen sail on shipbuilding and navigation techniques is a captivating journey into the evolution of ship designs, incorporation of rigging systems, and innovative navigation techniques. As we dive into this section, we’ll uncover how the lateen sail revolutionized the way ships were built and how it transformed the art of sailing. Prepare to be amazed as we explore the fascinating impact of this remarkable sail on maritime history.

Evolution of Ship Designs

The evolution of ship designs was greatly influenced by the lateen sail . With its triangular shape , it captured wind more efficiently and improved propulsion. This revolutionary sail replaced older square sails, resulting in a significant increase in a ship’s speed and maneuverability.

To enhance the vessel’s power and stability, shipbuilders started using larger lateen sails, increasing the sail area. These sails were often placed on a long yard, allowing sailors to adjust their angle and position to maximize the force of the wind.

As ship designs adapted to accommodate the lateen sail, they were built with a streamlined hull and narrower beam. This design allowed for effective navigation in various wind directions. The adaptability of ships with lateen sails made them versatile for both long-distance voyages and coastal navigation.

The incorporation of the lateen sail enabled ships to sail closer to the wind, providing access to previously unreachable regions and allowing for exploration of new territories. The improved maneuverability provided by these sails also facilitated the establishment of new trade routes, expanding maritime exploration and trade.

The influence of the lateen sail also led to advancements in rigging systems. Ships began using multiple masts and combining different sail types to optimize wind capture. This development resulted in more sophisticated and efficient rigging configurations, further enhancing a ship’s performance.

The introduction of the lateen sail revolutionized ship designs, resulting in significant advancements in speed, maneuverability, and exploration capabilities. Its impact on shipbuilding and navigation techniques cannot be overstated, as it paved the way for future innovations in maritime technology.

Incorporation of Rigging Systems

The incorporation of rigging systems revolutionized sailing techniques, allowing for more efficient navigation and exploration of new territories. These systems optimized the performance of the lateen sail and enhanced vessel maneuverability.

Mediterranean sailors during the lateen sail era, known as “ lateeneros ,” developed intricate systems of ropes and pulleys to adapt to different wind conditions and maximize sail efficiency. The incorporation of rigging systems enabled seamless navigation in various wind directions and improved the overall handling and performance of the vessels.

These systems influenced shipbuilding techniques with the inclusion of additional masts and rigging points to support the complex rigging required for the lateen sail. Today, the legacy of these rigging systems can be observed in traditional sailboats and is still embraced in modern recreational sailing.

Innovation in Navigation Techniques

The lateen sail revolutionized maritime travel, introducing significant innovations in navigation techniques.

1. The lateen sail enhanced maneuverability , allowing sailors to navigate with greater precision and control. Its triangular shape enabled swift changes in direction.

2. By adjusting the angle of the lateen sail, sailors could harness the wind’s power , even when it wasn’t blowing directly behind the ship. This versatility made navigation possible in various wind conditions.

3. The lateen sail was adaptable to different vessel types , from small fishing boats to large trading ships. This increased the capabilities of vessels and enabled them to journey further.

These innovations facilitated significant advancements in maritime exploration and trade, leading to the discovery of new trade routes and territories.

4. The maneuverability and efficiency of the lateen sail allowed explorers to venture into unexplored seas and make significant geographical discoveries.

5. Naval fleets benefited from the lateen sail’s increased maneuverability, gaining tactical advantages in battles and warfare.

The lateen sail’s influence extended to shipbuilding practices and navigation methods.

6. The lateen sail led to the evolution of ship designs optimized for its usage.

7. Specific rigging systems were developed for the lateen sail, advancing shipbuilding techniques.

8. The lateen sail encouraged the development of new navigation techniques , improving sailors’ ability to explore and trade.

The legacy of the lateen sail is evident in traditional sailboats, cultural practices, and recreational sailing. Efforts to revive and preserve the lateen sail demonstrate its continued importance and influence on maritime history and navigation techniques. The impact of the lateen sail on innovation in navigation techniques cannot be understated.

Legacy and Continued Use of the Lateen Sail

The legacy of the lateen sail continues to shape the world of sailing in captivating ways. From traditional sailboats steeped in cultural significance to modern applications and recreational sailing, as well as ongoing revival and preservation efforts, the impact of the lateen sail stretches across time and brings a touch of history to the present. So, let’s embark on a journey to explore the enduring influence and widespread use of this remarkable sail.

Traditional Sailboats and Cultural Significance

Traditional sailboats hold immense cultural significance in numerous maritime communities around the world. They are more than mere means of transportation or sources of leisure; they are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of these communities.

1. Traditional sailboats are frequently utilized for various purposes such as fishing, transporting goods, and taking part in customary ceremonies and festivals. They serve as custodians of the heritage and traditions of these communities, acting as tangible connections to their historical roots.

2. The construction of these sailboats follows time-honored methods and employs traditional materials, thereby preserving the craftsmanship and skills passed down through generations. Boat building and sailing techniques are integral facets of the cultural identity of these communities.

3. Cultural events and competitions, including regattas and traditional sailing races, showcase the skills and traditions associated with sailboats . These events nurture a sense of pride and unity within the community.

4. The design and ornamentation of traditional sailboats exemplify the unique cultural identity of the community. Decorated with traditional motifs, symbols, and colors, these boats epitomize the cultural heritage of the people.

5. The preservation and maintenance of traditional sailboats is not solely about safeguarding a vessel; it also safeguards the cultural heritage and traditions linked to them. Efforts to restore, maintain, and continue using traditional sailboats contribute to the sustainable development of these communities.

Modern Applications and Recreational Sailing

Modern applications and recreational sailing offer countless opportunities for enthusiasts to experience the numerous benefits of the lateen sail . The sail’s triangular shape enhances maneuverability, allowing sailors to effortlessly navigate through tight spaces and perform quick maneuvers. This makes it the perfect choice for crowded areas or narrow channels. The lateen sail’s versatility in different wind directions ensures that sailors can maintain speed and effectively navigate, providing a smooth sailing experience.

The lateen sail is suitable for various vessel types, from traditional sailboats to modern recreational vessels. Its adaptability and versatility make it a popular choice for sailboat enthusiasts, regardless of whether they prefer smaller recreational boats or larger yachts.

Sailing with a lateen sail also holds cultural significance and establishes a historical connection . It allows modern sailors to connect with rich maritime traditions and heritage, immersing themselves in techniques and skills passed down through generations. This adds a sense of nostalgia and cultural appreciation to their sailing adventures.

Recreational sailing with the lateen sail offers a chance for enjoyment and relaxation . By disconnecting from daily routines and embracing the serenity of the open waters, sailors can experience a sense of freedom, peace, and communion with nature .

The combination of modern applications and recreational sailing with the lateen sail provides enthusiasts with an array of benefits and experiences that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

Revival and Preservation Efforts

The revival and preservation efforts of the lateen sail are of utmost importance in maintaining its legacy and cultural significance. Organizations and enthusiasts from around the world are dedicated to preserving traditional sailboats and promoting the use of the lateen sail in modern applications.

1. Restoration of Traditional Sailboats: Numerous organizations prioritize the restoration and upkeep of traditional sailboats equipped with the lateen sail . These focused efforts serve to preserve the historical and cultural heritage associated with these remarkable vessels.

2. Education and Training Programs: Institutions and sailing schools offer specialized programs that educate individuals in the art of sailing with the lateen sail . These initiatives play a crucial role in passing down the knowledge and skills necessary to handle and navigate traditional sailboats.

3. Cultural Celebrations: Worldwide festivals and events are organized, highlighting traditional sailing and the lateen sail . These gatherings provide a platform for enthusiasts to exhibit their expertise, exchange knowledge, and raise awareness about the importance of preserving this ancient form of sailing.

4. Documentation and Research: Scholars and historians engage in thorough research to document the history and significance of the lateen sail . This research aids in understanding its impact on maritime exploration, trade, shipbuilding techniques, and methods of navigation, thereby further preserving its enduring legacy.

5. Modern Adaptations: In addition to its traditional usage, the lateen sail is being incorporated into contemporary sailing practices. Its versatility in handling different wind directions and maneuverability make it an attractive option for recreational sailing enthusiasts seeking a unique and captivating sailing experience.

These revival and preservation efforts ensure that this ancient sailing technique continues to be cherished and passed down through generations, thus keeping alive the profound history and cultural significance it possesses.

Some Facts About Why Was The Lateen Sail Important:

• ✅ The lateen sail greatly increased the potential of sailing ships by allowing them to tack into the wind. (Source: Britannica)
• ✅ The lateen sail was mounted at an angle on the mast and enabled ships to sail closer to the wind, leading to greater exploration and travel distances. (Source: Boating Geeks)
• ✅ The lateen sail made ships more maneuverable, allowing them to sail windward, tack, and beat into the wind. (Source: Boating Geeks)
• ✅ The lateen sail contributed to the exploration efforts of countries like Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and England, as it made long-distance excursions more efficient. (Source: Boating Geeks)
• ✅ The lateen sail revolutionized sailing techniques and played a crucial role in maritime history, impacting trade, commerce, military operations, and political power. (Source: Wikipedia)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the lateen sail important during the age of exploration.

The lateen sail played a crucial role during the Age of Exploration as it allowed ships to sail closer to the wind, enabling greater exploration and travel distances. Its design enabled ships to tack and beat into the wind, providing more maneuverability. This made caravel ships more efficient for long excursions, contributing to the exploration efforts of countries like Portugal, Spain, the Netherlands, and England.

What is the significance of the Sunfish class in relation to the lateen sail?

The Sunfish class of one-design sailboats is lateen-rigged, utilizing the modern version of the lateen sail. This rigging design makes the sailboat easy to operate with minimal lines. The use of the lateen sail in the Sunfish class showcases the continued relevance and popularity of the lateen sail in recreational sailing.

Did the lateen sail have a Mediterranean origin?

Yes, the lateen sail originated in the Mediterranean and was first used during the Roman Empire. It evolved from the square sail rig and had mostly replaced the square sail in the Mediterranean by the 6th century. The lateen sail was commonly used by Mediterranean civilizations and later spread to other regions.

How did the lateen sail impact maritime technology shifts and exploration?

The lateen sail had a significant impact on maritime technology shifts and exploration. Its adoption allowed ships to sail out of the Mediterranean and into the Atlantic Ocean during the late Middle Ages. The lateen mizzen was used in full-rigged ships during the Age of Exploration, contributing to the discovery of new lands. The lateen sail’s improved sailing capabilities and maneuverability made oceanic travel and exploration possible.

What made the lateen sail replace the square rig?

The lateen sail gradually replaced the square rig in maritime usage. One reason for this shift was the reduction in cost associated with the lateen sail. The lateen sail’s triangular shape and fore-and-aft direction allowed ships to sail into the wind, while the square rig could only sail before the wind. This additional maneuverability and efficiency of the lateen sail made it a preferred option for many seafarers.

Was the lateen sail only used in historical times, or is it still relevant today?

While the lateen sail has been largely replaced by other sail types in European ships since the 19th century, it is still used in smaller sailboats for recreational sailing in modern times. The Sunfish sailboat, for example, utilizes a modern lateen sail mounted to the mast. The crab claw sail, a modern lateen sail design with a different shape, is used in some small craft. The lateen sail’s simplicity and efficiency continue to make it a viable option for certain sailing applications.

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There are a lot of different sail rig types and it can be difficult to remember what's what. So I've come up with a system. Let me explain it in this article.

What are the different types of sail rig? The sail rig is determined by the number of masts and the layout and shape of sails. Most modern ships are fore-and-aft rigged, while old ships are square-rigged. Rigs with one mast are sloops and cutters. Ketches, yawls, brigs, and schooners have two masts. Barques have three masts. Rigs can contain up to seven masts.

'Yeah, that's a gaff brig, and that a Bermuda cutter' - If you don't know what this means (neither did I) and want to know what to call a two-masted ship with a square-rigged mainsail, this article is definitely for you.

On this page:

More info on sail rig types, mast configurations and rig types, rigs with one mast, rigs with two masts, rigs with three masts, related questions.

This article is part 2 of my series on sails and rig types. Part 1 is all about the different types of sails. If you want to know everything there is to know about sails once and for all, I really recommend you read it. It gives a good overview of sail types and is easy to understand.

The Ultimate Guide to Sail Types and Rigs (with Pictures)

First of all, what is a sail rig? A sail rig is the way in which the sails are attached to the mast(s). In other words, it's the setup or configuration of the sailboat. The rig consists of the sail and mast hardware. The sail rig and sail type are both part of the sail plan. We usually use the sail rig type to refer to the type of boat.

Let's start by taking a look at the most commonly used modern sail rigs. Don't worry if you don't exactly understand what's going on. At the end of this article, you'll understand everything about rig types.

The sail rig and sail plan are often used interchangeably. When we talk of the sail rig we usually mean the sail plan . Although they are not quite the same. A sail plan is the set of drawings by the naval architect that shows the different combinations of sails and how they are set up for different weather conditions. For example a light air sail plan, storm sail plan, and the working sail plan (which is used most of the time).

So let's take a look at the three things that make up the sail plan.

The 3 things that make up the sail plan

I want to do a quick recap of my previous article. A sail plan is made up of:

• Mast configuration - refers to the number of masts and where they are placed
• Sail type - refers to the sail shape and functionality
• Rig type - refers to the way these sails are set up on your boat

I'll explore the most common rig types in detail later in this post. I've also added pictures to learn to recognize them more easily. ( Click here to skip to the section with pictures ).

How to recognize the sail plan?

So how do you know what kind of boat you're dealing with? If you want to determine what the rig type of a boat is, you need to look at these three things:

• Check the number of masts, and how they are set up.
• You look at the type of sails used (the shape of the sails, how many there are, and what functionality they have).
• And you have to determine the rig type, which means the way the sails are set up.

Below I'll explain each of these factors in more detail.

The most common rig types on sailboats

To give you an idea of the most-used sail rigs, I'll quickly summarize some sail plans below and mention the three things that make up their sail plan.

• Bermuda sloop - one mast, one mainsail, one headsail, fore-and-aft rigged
• Gaff cutter - one mast, one mainsail, two staysails, fore-and-aft rigged
• Gaff schooner - two-masted (foremast), two mainsails, staysails, fore-and-aft rigged
• Gaff ketch - two-masted (mizzen), two mainsails, staysails, fore-and-aft rigged
• Full-rigged ship or tall ship - three or more masts, mainsail on each mast, staysails, square-rigged

The first word is the shape and rigging of the mainsail. So this is the way the sail is attached to the mast. I'll go into this later on. The second word refers to the mast setup and amount of sails used.

Most sailboats are Bermuda sloops. Gaff-rigged sails are mostly found on older, classic boats. Square-rigged sails are generally not used anymore.

But first I want to discuss the three factors that make up the sail plan in more detail.

Ways to rig sails

There are basically two ways to rig sails:

• From side to side, called Square-rigged sails - the classic pirate sails
• From front to back, called Fore-and-aft rigged sails - the modern sail rig

Almost all boats are fore-and-aft rigged nowadays.

Square sails are good for running downwind, but they're pretty useless when you're on an upwind tack. These sails were used on Viking longships, for example. Their boats were quicker downwind than the boats with fore-and-aft rigged sails, but they didn't handle as well.

The Arabs first used fore-and-aft rigged sails, making them quicker in difficult wind conditions.

Quick recap from part 1: the reason most boats are fore-and-aft rigged today is the increased maneuverability of this configuration. A square-rigged ship is only good for downwind runs, but a fore-and-aft rigged ship can sail close to the wind, using the lift to move forward.

The way the sails are attached to the mast determines the shape of the sail. The square-rigged sails are always attached the same way to the mast. The fore-and-aft rig, however, has a lot of variations.

The three main sail rigs are:

• Bermuda rig - most used - has a three-sided (triangular) mainsail
• Gaff rig - has a four-sided mainsail, the head of the mainsail is guided by a gaff
• Lateen rig - has a three-sided (triangular) mainsail on a long yard

The Bermuda is the most used, the gaff is a bit old-fashioned, and the lateen rig is outdated (about a thousand years). Lateen rigs were used by the Moors. The Bermuda rig is actually based on the Lateen rig (the Dutch got inspired by the Moors).

Other rig types that are not very common anymore are:

• Junk rig - has horizontal battens to control the sail
• Settee rig - Lateen with the front corner cut off
• Crabclaw rig

Mast configuration

Okay, we know the shape of the mainsail. Now it's time to take a look at the mast configuration. The first thing is the number of masts:

• one-masted boats
• two-masted boats
• three-masted boats
• four masts or up
• full or ship-rigged boats - also called 'ships' or 'tall ships'

I've briefly mentioned the one and two mast configurations in part 1 of this article. In this part, I'll also go over the three-masted configurations, and the tall ships as well.

A boat with one mast has a straightforward configuration because there's just one mast. You can choose to carry more sails or less, but that's about it.

A boat with two masts or more gets interesting. When you add a mast, it means you have to decide where to put the extra mast: in front, or in back of the mainmast. You can also choose whether or not the extra mast will carry an extra mainsail. The placement and size of the extra mast are important in determining what kind of boat we're dealing with. So you start by locating the largest mast, which is always the mainmast.

From front to back: the first mast is called the foremast. The middle mast is called the mainmast. And the rear mast is called the mizzenmast.

What is the mizzenmast? The mizzenmast is the aft-most (rear) mast on a sailboat with three or more masts or the mast behind the mainmast on a boat with two masts. The mizzenmast carries the mizzen sail. On a two-masted boat, the mizzenmast is always (slightly) smaller than the mainmast. What is the purpose of the mizzen sail? The mizzen sail provides more sail area and flexibility in sail plan. It can be used as a big wind rudder, helping the sailor to have more control over the stern of the ship. It pushes the stern away from the wind and forces the bow in the opposite way. This may help to bring the bow into the wind when at anchor.

I always look at the number of masts first, because this is the easiest to spot. So to make this stuff more easy to understand, I've divided up the rig types based on the number of masts below.

Why would you want more masts and sail anyways?

Good question. The biggest advantage of two masts compared to one (let's say a ketch compared to a sloop), is that it allows you to use multiple smaller sails to get the same sail area. It also allows for shorter masts.

This means you reduce the stress on the rigging and the masts, which makes the ketch rig safer and less prone to wear and tear. It also doesn't capsize as quickly. So there are a couple of real advantages of a ketch rig over a sloop rig.

In the case of one mast, we look at the number of sails it carries.

Boats with one mast can have either one sail, two sails, or three or more sails.

Most single-masted boats are sloops, which means one mast with two sails (mainsail + headsail). The extra sail increases maneuverability. The mainsail gives you control over the stern, while the headsail gives you control over the bow.

Sailor tip: you steer a boat using its sails, not using its rudder.

The one-masted rigs are:

• Cat - one mast, one sail
• Sloop - one mast, two sails
• Cutter - one mast, three or more sails

The cat is the simplest sail plan and has one mast with one sail. It's easy to handle alone, so it's very popular as a fishing boat. Most (very) small sailboats are catboats, like the Sunfish, and many Laser varieties. But it has a limited sail area and doesn't give you the control and options you have with more sails.

The most common sail plan is the sloop. It has one mast and two sails: the main and headsail. Most sloops have a Bermuda mainsail. It's one of the best racing rigs because it's able to sail very close to the wind (also called 'weatherly'). It's one of the fastest rig types for upwind sailing.

It's a simple sail plan that allows for high performance, and you can sail it short-handed. That's why most sailboats you see today are (Bermuda) sloops.

This rig is also called the Marconi rig, and it was developed by a Dutch Bermudian (or a Bermudian Dutchman) - someone from Holland who lived on Bermuda.

A cutter has three or more sails. Usually, the sail plan looks a lot like the sloop, but it has three headsails instead of one. Naval cutters can carry up to 6 sails.

Cutters have larger sail area, so they are better in light air. The partition of the sail area into more smaller sails give you more control in heavier winds as well. Cutters are considered better for bluewater sailing than sloops (although sloops will do fine also). But the additional sails just give you a bit more to play with.

Two-masted boats can have an extra mast in front or behind the mainmast. If the extra mast is behind (aft of) the mainmast, it's called a mizzenmast . If it's in front of the mainmast, it's called a foremast .

If you look at a boat with two masts and it has a foremast, it's most likely either a schooner or a brig. It's easy to recognize a foremast: the foremast is smaller than the aft mast.

If the aft mast is smaller than the front mast, it is a sail plan with a mizzenmast. That means the extra mast has been placed at the back of the boat. In this case, the front mast isn't the foremast, but the mainmast. Boats with two masts that have a mizzenmast are most likely a yawl or ketch.

The two-masted rigs are:

• Lugger - two masts (mizzen), with lugsail (a cross between gaff rig and lateen rig) on both masts
• Yawl - two masts (mizzen), fore-and-aft rigged on both masts. Main mast is much taller than mizzen. Mizzen without a mainsail.
• Ketch - two masts (mizzen), fore-and-aft rigged on both masts. Main mast with only slightly smaller mizzen. Mizzen has mainsail.
• Schooner - two masts (foremast), generally gaff rig on both masts. Main mast with only slightly smaller foremast. Sometimes build with three masts, up to seven in the age of sail.
• Bilander - two masts (foremast). Has a lateen-rigged mainsail and square-rigged sails on the foremast and topsails.
• Brig - two masts (foremast), partially square-rigged. The main mast carries small lateen-rigged sail.

The yawl has two masts that are fore-and-aft rigged and a mizzenmast. The mizzenmast is much shorter than the mainmast, and it doesn't carry a mainsail. The mizzenmast is located aft of the rudder and is mainly used to increase helm balance.

A ketch has two masts that are fore-and-aft rigged. The extra mast is a mizzenmast. It's nearly as tall as the mainmast and carries a mainsail. Usually, the mainsails of the ketch are gaff-rigged, but there are Bermuda-rigged ketches too. The mizzenmast is located in front of the rudder instead of aft, as on the yawl.

The function of the ketch's mizzen sail is different from that of the yawl. It's actually used to drive the boat forward, and the mizzen sail, together with the headsail, are sufficient to sail the ketch. The mizzen sail on a yawl can't really drive the boat forward.

Schooners have two masts that are fore-and-aft rigged. The extra mast is a foremast which is generally smaller than the mainmast, but it does carry a mainsail. Schooners are also built with a lot more masts, up to seven (not anymore). The schooner's mainsails are generally gaff-rigged.

The schooner is easy to sail but not very fast. It handles easier than a sloop, except for upwind, and it's only because of better technology that sloops are now more popular than the schooner.

The brig has two masts. The foremast is always square-rigged. The mainmast can be square-rigged or is partially square-rigged. Some brigs carry a lateen mainsail on the mainmast, with square-rigged topsails.

Some variations on the brig are:

Brigantine - two masts (foremast), partially square-rigged. Mainmast carries no square-rigged mainsail.

Hermaphrodite brig - also called half brig or schooner brig. Has two masts (foremast), partially square-rigged. Mainmast carries a gaff rig mainsail and topsail, making it half schooner.

Three-masted boats are mostly barques or schooners. Sometimes sail plans with two masts are used with more masts.

The three-masted rigs are:

• Barque - three masts, fore, and mainmast are square-rigged, the mizzenmast is usually gaff-rigged. All masts carry mainsail.
• Barquentine - three masts, foremast is square-rigged, the main and mizzenmast are fore-and-aft rigged. Also called the schooner barque.
• Polacca - three masts, foremast is square-rigged, the main and mizzenmast are lateen-rigged.
• Xebec - three masts, all masts are lateen-rigged.

A barque has three or four masts. The fore and mainmast are square-rigged, and the mizzen fore-and-aft, usually gaff-rigged. Carries a mainsail on each mast, but the mainsail shape differs per mast (square or gaff). Barques were built with up to five masts. Four-masted barques were quite common.

Barques were a good alternative to full-rigged ships because they require a lot fewer sailors. But they were also slower. Very popular rig for ocean crossings, so a great rig for merchants who travel long distances and don't want 30 - 50 sailors to run their ship.

Barquentine

The barquentine usually has three masts. The foremast is square-rigged and the main and mizzenmast fore-and-aft. The rear masts are usually gaff-rigged.

Faster than a barque or a schooner, but the performance is worse than both.

The polacca or polacre rig has three masts with a square-rigged foremast. The main and mizzenmast are lateen-rigged. Beautiful boat to see. Polacca literally means 'Polish' (it's Italian). It was a popular rig type in the Mediterranean in the 17th century. It looks like the xebec, which has three lateen-rigged masts.

Fun fact: polaccas were used by a Dutch sailor-turned-Turkish-pirate (called Murat Reis).

The xebec is a Mediterranean trading ship with three masts. All masts are lateen-rigged. I couldn't find any surviving xebecs, only models and paintings. So I guess this rig is outdated a long time.

A boat with three or more masts that all carry square-rigged sails is called a ship, a tall ship, or a full-rigged ship. So it's at this point that we start calling boats 'ships'. It has nothing to do with size but with the type of rigging.

More sails mean less stress on all of them. These ships use a lot of sails to distribute the forces, which reduces the stress on the rigging and the masts. Square sails mean double the sail area in comparison to triangular sails.

They are quite fast for their size, and they could outrun most sloops and schooners (schooners were relatively a lot heavier). The reason is that tall ships could be a lot longer than sloops, giving them a lot of extra hull speed. Sloops couldn't be as large because there weren't strong enough materials available. Try making a single triangular sail with a sail area of over 500 sq. ft. from linen.

So a lot of smaller sails made sense. You could have a large ship with a good maximum hull speed, without your sails ripping apart with every gust of wind.

But you need A LOT of sailors to sail a tall ship: about 30 sailors in total to ie. reef down sails and operate the ship. That's really a lot.

Tall ships are used nowadays for racing, with the popular tall ship races traveling the world. Every four years I go and check them out when they are at Harlingen (which is very close to where I live).

Check out the amazing ships in this video of the tall ship races last year near my hometown. (The event was organized by friends of mine).

What is the difference between a schooner and a sloop? A schooner has two masts, whereas the sloop only has one. The schooner carries more sails, with a mainsail on both masts. Also, sloops are usually Bermuda-rigged, whereas schooners are usually gaff-rigged. Most schooners also carry one or two additional headsails, in contrast to the single jib of the sloop.

What do you call a two-masted sailboat? A two-masted sailboat is most likely a yawl, ketch, schooner, or brig. To determine which one it is you have to locate the mainmast (the tallest). At the rear: schooner or brig. In front: yawl or ketch. Brigs have a square-rigged foremast, schooners don't. Ketches carry a mainsail on the rear mast; yawls don't.

What is a sloop rig? A sloop rig is a sailboat with one mast and two sails: a mainsail and headsail. It's a simple sail plan that handles well and offers good upwind performance. The sloop rig can be sailed shorthanded and is able to sail very close to the wind, making it very popular. Most recreational sailboats use a sloop rig.

What is the difference between a ketch and a yawl? The most important difference between a ketch and a yawl are the position and height of the mizzenmast. The mizzenmast on a yawl is located aft of the rudder, is shorter than the mainmast and doesn't carry a mainsail. On a ketch, it's nearly as long as the mainmast and carries a mainsail.

There are a wonderful lots of DIY changeability shows on the cable airwaves these days.

Rick the rigger

There are SO many errors on this site it really should be taken down.

First major mistake is to say you are no longer afraid of the sea.

One that truly gets up my nose is the term ‘fully’ rigged ship. It’s a FULL rigged ship!! Your mast names are the wrong way round and just because there may be 3 it doesn’t automatically mean the one in the middle is the main.

I could go on and totally destroy your over inflated but fragile ego but I won’t. All I will say is go learn a lot more before posting.

Shawn Buckles

Thanks for your feedback. If you like to point out anything more specific, please let me know and I will update the articles. I’ve changed fully-rigged to full-rigged ship - which is a typo on my part. I try to be as concise as I can, but, obviously, we all make mistakes every now and then. The great thing about the internet is that we can learn from each other and update our knowledge together.

If you want to write yourself and share your knowledge, please consider applying as a writer for my blog by clicking on the top banner.

Thanks, Shawn

Well, I feel that I’ve learned a bit from this. The information is clear and well laid out. Is it accurate? I can’t see anything at odds with the little I knew before, except that I understood a xebec has a square rigged centre mainmast, such as the Pelican ( https://www.adventureundersail.com/ )

Hi, Shawn, You forgot (failed) to mention another type of rig? The oldest type of rig known and still functions today JUNK RIG!

Why are so many of the comments here negative. I think it is wonderful to share knowledge and learn together. I knew a little about the subject (I’m an Aubrey-Maturin fan!) but still found this clarified some things for me. I can’t comment therefore on the accuracy of the article, but it seems clear to me that the spirit of the author is positive. We owe you some more bonhomme I suggest Shawn.

As they say in the Navy: “BZ” - for a good article.

Been reading S.M. Stirling and wanted to understand the ship types he references. Thank you, very helpful.

This site is an awesome starting point for anyone who would like to get an overview of the subject. I am gratefull to Shawn for sharing - Thanks & Kudos to you! If the negative reviewers want to get a deeper technical knowledge that is accurate to the n-th then go study the appropriate material. Contribute rather than destroy another’s good work. Well done Shawn. Great job!

Good stuff Shawn - very helpful. As a novice, it’s too confusing to figure out in bits and pieces. Thanks for laying it out.

First of all I have to say that Rick ‘the rigger’ is obviously the one with the “over inflated but fragile ego” and I laughed when you suggested he share his knowledge on your blog, well played!

As for the content it’s great, hope to read more soon!

Alec Lowenthal

Shawn, I have a painting of a Spanish vessel, two masted, with. Lateen sails on both masts and a jib. The mainsail is ahead of the main mast (fore) and the other is aft of the mizzen mast. Would this be what you call lugger rig? I have not seen a similar picture. Thanks, Alec.

Thank you for your article I found easy to read and understand, and more importantly remember, which emphasises the well written.. Pity about the negative comments, but love your proactive responses!

This vessel, “SEBASTIAN” out of Garrucha, Almería, España, was painted by Gustave Gillman in 1899.

Sorry, picture not accepted!

Thank you for a very informative article. I sail a bit and am always looking for more knowledge. I like the way you put forth your info and I feel if you can’t say anything positive, then that person should have their own blog or keep their opinions to their-self. I will be looking for more from you. I salute your way of dealing with negative comments.

Thank you for a great intro to sailing boats! I searched different sailboats because I use old sails tp make bags and wanted to learn the difference. Way more than I ever expected. Thanks for all the work put in to teach the rest of us.

Your description of a cutter is lacking, and your illustrations of “cutters” are actually cutter-rigged sloops. On a true cutter, the mast is moved further aft (with more than 40% of the ship forward of the mast). A sloop uses tension in the backstay to tension the luff of the foresail. The cutter can’t do this.

Also, a bermuda-rigged ketch will have a line running from the top of the mainmast to the top of the mizzenmast.

wow great guide to rig types! thanks

Interesting guide, however I am confused about the description of the brig. You say the main mast on a brig can have a lateen sail, but in your picture it looks like a gaff sail to me. How is it a lateen sail?

Hi Shawn, thank you for taking the time to share this information. It is clear and very helpful. I am new to sailing and thinking of buying my own blue water yacht. The information you have supplied is very useful. I still am seeking more information on performance and safety. Please keep up the good work. Best Regards

mickey fanelli

I’m starting to repair a model sailboat used in the lake I have three masts that have long been broken off and the sails need replacement. So my question is there a special relationship between the three masts I do have reminents of where the masts should go. they all broke off the boat along with the sails I can figure out where they go because of the old glue marks but it makes no sense. or does it really matter on a model thank you mickey

Cool, total novice here. I have learnt a lot. Thanks for sharing - the diagrams along with the text make it really easy to understand, especially for a beginner who hasn’t even stepped on a sailing boat.

Daryl Beatt

Thank you. Cleared up quite a few things for me. For example, I was familiar with the names “Xebecs” and “Polaccas” from recent reading about the Barbary War. I had gathered that the two Barbary types were better suited to sailing in the Med, but perhaps they were less able to be adaptable to military uses,(but one might assume that would be ok if one plans to board and fight, as opposed to fight a running gun duel). Specifically, the strangely one sided August 1, 1801 battle between the USS Enterprise under Lt. John Sterett and the Polacca cruiser Tripoli under Admiral Rais Mahomet Rous. On paper both ships seemed nearly equal in size, guns and crew, but pictures of the battle are confusing. While the Enterprise is usually rendered as the familiar schooner, the polacca Tripoli has been pictured in radically different ways. Thus the Wikipedia picture by Hoff in 1878 used to illustrate the Battle shows a Brig design for Tripoli, indicating 77 years later, polaccas were no longer common.

Lee Christiansen

I am curious as to what you would call a modern race boat with a fractional jib,not equipped for full masthead hoist? Thanks Lee

Thanks Guy: The information and pictures really eliminate a lot of the mystery of the terminology and the meanings. Also appreciate the insight of the handling idiosyncrasies “hand” (staff) requirements to manage a vessel for one that has not been on the water much. I long to spend significant time afloat, but have concern about the ability to handle a vessel due to advancing age. The Significant Other prefers to sit (in AC comfort)and be entertained by parties of cruise line employees. Thanks again for the information.

Gordon Smith

Your discussion made no mention of the galleon, a vessel with either square-rigged Fore and Main masts and a shorter lateen-rigged Mizzen, or, on larger galleons, square-rigged Fore and Main masts, with a lateen-rigged Mizzen and a lateen-rigged Bonaventure mast, both shorter than either the Fore or Main masts. Also, it was not uncommon for a galleon to hoist a square-rigged bowsprit topsail in addition to the usual square-rigged spritsail.

Emma Delaney

As a hobbyist, I was hesitant to invest in expensive CAD software, but CADHOBBY IntelliCAD has proven to be a cost-effective alternative that delivers the same quality and performance.

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Traditional Sail

The Lateen Sail

The indian ocean, the arabian sea and beyond, part one.

This post is Part One of a two part piece on the Lateen Sail. Part Two will be posted in early September.

It is deceptively easy to get bogged down in the dominant paradigm of Traditional Sail that is centered on the archaeology and history of square rigged ships and fore and aft rigged work boats. This is, admittedly, a broad generalization, but it is also one that I would defend.

I will do my best to describe and present images and analysis of the Lateen rig, as I understand it. I will also use maps to illustrate the the vast scope of the trade routes based on the seasonal monsoon winds and the lateen sails that used them.

I will also give examples and comments on the types of cargo that were carried for centuries using the sailing technology of the Arab dhows sailed by generations of Arab, African and Indian seamen.

It was these sea routes, used for trade coming from Africa, India, the East Undies and even China, that the Portuguese and the Dutch would eventually “discover” and go on to control.

But this trade was not new, it was just hidden from Europe by distance, geography, inadequate sailing technology and deception. 

The Age of Discovery changed all that, but it had not yet begun.

When it did begin, fueled by European blood and treasure, it had wisely included the technology of the Lateen rig.

ALAN VILLIERS   Alan Villiers (DSC, born 1903, Melbourne, Australia. Died 1982.) 

Villiers has been described as a sailor, journalist, and author. For me he is best understood as a Master Mariner.

In the 1930s, before his service in World War Two, Villiers traveled extensively in the Indian Ocean, the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and the East coast of Africa. During WW II he was in the Bay of Bengal, specifically Burma, now known as Myanmar.

As a writer he described his experiences in several of his books. Many of the photos presented in this blog came from Villiers’ book entitled Men,Ships and the Sea.

Villiers wrote “The first thing I discovered was that Arabs know none of their vessels as Dhows. They are known by their hull forms; booms, bagalas etc. All of their rigs are much the same.” 

I will use the general term”dhow”, as Villiers himself does, when referring to the various types of lateen rigged sailing vessels in the Indian Ocean and beyond.

THE LATEEN RIG

The traditional lateen rig is characterized by its large triangular sail and the long, curved yard that carries the sail.This yard, reflecting the arid environment of the sail’s origin which is devoid of tall trees, is made by using several separate spars, overlapping each other, then “fished” and lashed together, making the yard both strong and flexible.

Villiers comments, “The long lateen yard, cumbersome as it may appear to European eyes, is indeed the ideal means of setting a big running or reaching sail, and the dhows of the Indian Ocean had the qualities of yachts for centuries before yachts were even thought of.”

(The Monsoon Sea, pg. 57)

One of the Indian Ocean dhows that Villiers sailed on was of a type called a “boom”. Her yard, made of wooden poles fished and lashed together, was “tremendously strong” and at 105 feet long it was the same length as the hull of the “boom”.

Villiers comments that the hull capacity of dhows was not measured in tons, but in the number of 180 pound date baskets of a standard size that they could carry.

To me this allows an interesting cross-cultural comparison with other standard units of cargo capacity.

Some examples are; European barrels of 60-80 gallons, modern container ship TEUs (8 feet by 20 feet) steel shipping containers, the Hanseatic League”load” of 2 tons per wagon, and the Gulf of Mexico oyster fishery standard unit of a burlap bag filled with 60 pounds of oysters.

The boom BAYAN held 2300 date baskets, each weighing 180 pounds. 2300X180 = 414,000 pounds, equal to 207 tons—all of it powered by sail.

On the topic of rigging, Villiers comments that “The few stays used to support the mast when sails were set were lengths of Coir rope set up with tackles and these were shifted every time the sail was trimmed.”

The hawsers shown in the photo are made of Coir, the fiber coming from coconut husks. Take time to look closely at this photograph.

The Coir hawsers appear to be 3 strand, cable laid.

On both hawsers the lower ends transition from being cable laid to being braided—something many of us still do, almost 100 years later, braiding the partially unlaid strands of cordage that is still useful, so as to be able to continue to use it in some way.

Each of the crewmen has his right hand on a section of the hawser that is served, just above the braided section, covering the transition from laid to braided. And in both cases the service also shows a spiral, in a simple pattern I know as a French Spiral.

“The Arab, left to himself, cannot build an unsightly vessel.” Alan Villiers.

Villiers goes on to explain that most dhows, at least those in the 1930s, were strongly built with teak lumber coming from the Malabar Coast of India; the West coast of India, from Calicut—now Calcutta—South to the southern most point of the sub-continent.

Not having conifer forests to provide Naval Stores, like pine tar, rosin, pitch and turpentine, the dhow captains hauled their boats once each year in order to apply a layer of fat, mixed with lime, onto the hulls, below the water line, as protection against teredo worms.

The fat came from camels, presumably butchered for human consumption and the lime, presumably, came from limestone or coral burned in a simple kiln.This process is also used in many other cultures to make lime used in masonry mortar.

This is Villiers’ description of how a dhow goes from one tack to the opposite tack.

“To change tack, a dhow wears ship—swings its stern into the wind (i.e. gybes). The sheet is let go. The sailors haul the yard upright before the stumpy mast, shove the foot of the yard to the other side and retrieve the sheet. Each time the yard is shifted from one side of the mast to the other, rigging has to be taken down and set up again. Yet dhows maneuver with amazing speed.”

Today, almost 90 years since Villiers sailed the Indian Ocean, this all seems very clumsy, cumbersome and inefficient, and in some respects it is, until you begin to consider the circumstances that underlie it.

This is the way things were done for centuries, so if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

The crewmen were not paid a wage; they got food, water and a narrow piece of deck to sleep on. There were many crew men, but they were “employed”, sort of, and they were working and not wards of the state. Because of their religion they were also allowed to face Mecca and offer prayers 5 times every day, something that would never have been allowed on a European merchant vessel.

Each crew man was also allowed to bring aboard a personal chest of trade goods that he could barter, for profit, in the many ports where the dhows stopped.

Traditional Sail in the Western World, predominately non-Islamic, also relied on clumsy, often inefficient and poorly paid human muscle power. Halyard winches and sheet winches are relatively recent. Hauling braces and sheets and straining to raise large anchors by walking, barefoot, around a capstan were all commonplace forms of effort. 

So sail trimming and other jobs on the dhows can be understood, in retrospect, as being culturally and socially appropriate—from the perspective of an Islamic culture base on hierarchal rules and traditions

Finally, like it or not, the advantages of the lateen rig, even from today’s perspective, far exceeded its disadvantages, especially given the available supply of cheap labor.

[Part Two of The Lateen Rig will be posted in early September and will focus on trade routes, the importance of the monsoon winds to the Indian Ocean-East Africa trade and the types of trade goods carried by the dhows.]

Duncan Blair

REFERENCES  Men, Ships and the Sea , Alan Villiers, National Geographic Book Service, 1973. Monsoon Seas , Alan Villiers, McGraw Hill, 1952. Sails Through the Centuries , Sam Svensson, The Macmillan Co. 1965.

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Lateen Sails – What Are They And Why Are They Important?

A lot of people have never even heard of lateen sails, but their invention changed the world. Lateen sails are arguably one of the most important inventions of ancient history.

But what even are lateen sails, how do they work, when were lateen sails first invented and why were they so revolutionary? We answer all those questions, and a lot more besides, in this ultimate and comprehensive guide.

Living on our sailboat for 5 years has given us a keen interest in maritime history. We’re massive sailing nerds, in other words.

The lateen sail is actually something we’ve written about several times, partly because it’s the precursor to the triangular sails that almost all sailing vessels use today, and partly because we’re… massive nerds.

The lateen is so interesting because it unlocked one critical new ability that changed sailing forever – and with it transformed the worlds of travel, trade, exploration, and warfare. Join us as we explore what makes lateen sails special and just why they were so important to the ancient world.

Table of Contents

What is a lateen sail, why was the lateen sail so important, how can boats sail upwind, modern day lateen rigs.

A lateen is type of rig used on sailing vessels, featuring a triangular sail held up on side side by a long wooden spar called a “yard”. The yard mounts at roughly a 45-degree angle to the mast, running forward and aft.

The very first examples of the lateen sail crop up in the Mediterranean around the 2 nd century AD, but the lateen didn’t become popular until around the 5 th century BC.

Don’t be fooled by that slow burn popularity, though – the lateen would go on to change the world, and remain relevant for over a thousand years.

It was arguably one of the most important technologies of ancient history, and in many ways the spiritual successor to the Bermuda-type rigs seen on modern sailing vessels like sloops.  

The lateen was one of the first rigs to use aerodynamic sails pointing forward and aft, rather than big, square sails designed to act like parachutes and flying laterally across the beam. Why that distinction is so important, we’ll see in a moment.

Another rig operating on similar principles and originating at a similar time in the Mediterranean was the settee . The settee is essentially a lateen with the front corner cut off, giving it a quadrilateral (four-sided) shape instead of triangular. Settees were seen on working Arab dhows right into the 20 th century.

But now, the really interesting question – why was the lateen sail so important, historically speaking?

Sailing has been around for an almost unbelievably long time. We know for sure that people were sailing over 6,000 years ago, because we’ve found clay tablets and inscriptions depicting sailing boats and crew, complete with primitive rigs and square sails.  

6,000 years is a fairly long time in terms of civilised human history – for a frame of reference, writing wouldn’t be invented for another 600 years ; Woolly Mammoths would still walk the earth for another 2,000 or so ( no, really ).

In the Encyclopaedia Brittanica’s timeline of the most important technological discoveries , sailing is right near the start – in between iron and irrigation. We’ve found completely preserved boats that are over 10,000 years old .

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Some historians and anthropologists think that people in ancient Asia had to have been voyaging island-to-island as long as 25,000 years ago , crossing distances that would appear to necessitate sail propulsion.

The kicker is that for the overwhelming majority of those 25,000 years, people could only sail downwind.

They could steer a little to either side of downwind, but if they wanted to travel upwind or across the wind they had to row – or make clever use of the tides and currents. This naturally had a huge determining impact on the direction countries explored in and the nations they could trade with.

Sails in those days worked like parachutes – they were just big bags designed to catch as much wind as possible.

The lateen changed all that: being rigged fore-and-aft, and having that yard across the top to control the draught and shape of the sail, they could point their sails into the wind, not just across it, and generate lift in the same way a bird’s wing does. The yard also meant they could tack the sail – move it from one side of the boat to the other.

The upshot of this is that the lateen rig could tack upwind – and across the wind, along a coastline and back again. Suddenly, people could transport vast quantities of goods (or troops) in almost any direction – not just downwind – and turn around and come back again.

Its effect on the world, naturally, was transformative – even if over the course of several hundred years.

Mediterranean powers, such as the Romans, made extensive use of the lateen in both war and peace from at least the 5 th century (its name even comes from the word “Latin”), but Northern European nations didn’t truly catch on to triangular sails until around the 14 th century .

Nonetheless, sail would remain the dominant means of trade, exploration and foreign invasion for most world powers right through to the 19 th century.

Even today’s modern pleasure yachts almost exclusively use a fore-and-aft rigged style, such as a Bermuda rig, and owe a lot to the lateens of old.

A triangular sail like that found on a lateen works a lot like the wing of an aeroplane in flight.

It has a curved surface, like a half-teardrop. As air strikes the curved surface of the sail, it naturally forms an area of low pressure across the convex outer surface, and an area of higher pressure across the concave inner surface.

This happens because the air literally has further to travel on the outside of the curve; it has more space to spread out. Approximately the same number of air molecules are flowing over both the front and back of the sail, but the ones at the back are packing into the curve and creating a pocket of denser air. 

Pressure always wants to flow from high to low; thus, the boat slips forward into the area of low pressure, relieving the high pressure behind, even though that’s upwind… against the very force it’s using to propel itself.

This action is assisted by the keel, which is longer than it is wide – and therefore resists sideways movement, known as leeway, more than forward motion. The keel incorporates a heavy weight, called a bulb ballast, to counteract the forces acting on the sail above.

In our aeroplane-in-flight example, the keel is also acting like the other wing of the ‘plane. Because water is much denser than air, the keel naturally has to be smaller than the sail above.

Sailing vessels cannot sail directly into the wind, but modern performance yachts can get to within about 40 or 35 degrees.

A sailing vessel can still travel directly upwind, they just have to claw their way up by tacking backwards and forwards across the wind, in a zig-zag pattern, at the closest angle their boat allows.

You may hear sailors talk about velocity made good (VMG) – referring to the velocity at which a boat is moving towards her destination, regardless of how she is travelling through the water and across the ground in the process of getting there.

For example, I could be tacking across the wind at a 45-degree angle and making 5 knots over the ground, but if my destination is directly upwind and I’m always moving towards it at a 45-degree angle, I am actually only progressing towards it at 3.5 knots (this is my VMG).

That’s assuming I make no leeway at all, which obviously I do. But you get the picture – tacking upwind can take a long time, especially once current and tide come into play.

While the lateen was largely out of fashion by the end of the 19 th century or so, it retained pockets of popularity well into the 20 th century – such as the Gundalows of Maine and New Hampshire.

Sailors liked that the entire sail and yard could easily be dropped for maintenance, and to pass under low bridges in the tidal waterways.

Similar rigs, such as the lug rig, were seen on fishing vessels right into the 20 th century as well.

The lateen was also heavily adopted by the Dutch and became the bezaan rig, which in turn eventually morphed into the Bermuda rig that was almost universally adopted by small sailing vessels by the end of the 20 th century.

As such, you could argue that the lateen’s DNA is present in almost all modern-day sailing boats, just minus the heavy yard!

Lateens fell from commercial use by the end of the 20 th century, but a handful of reproductions are still built and sailed – such as this lovely example .

Conclusion: Lateen Sails

The lateen represented a huge leap forward not just in sailing technology, but in the ability of ancient people to explore, trade, travel long distances and (unfortunately) invade each other.

That’s because it gave ancient people the ability to sail in almost any direction – upwind, downwind, or back and forth across the wind – say, along a coastline, from port to port and back.

Before the lateen, people could only sail in the direction the wind was blowing, give or take a few degrees. This severely hampered the usefulness of the boat as a means of transport – it could carry huge loads for great distances, but only in one direction.

The lateen changed all that. Its fore-and-aft-rigged design and aerodynamic shape allowed it to point upwind and generate enough lift and drive to propel the boat forward at 40 or 45 degrees off the wind.

It also introduced the ability to tack the sail, moving it from one side of the mast to the other. This in turn meant lateen-rigged boats could tack across the wind and even make progress towards a goal that was directly upwind, given time and persistence.

Naturally, this had huge military consequences – like every pawn on a chessboard suddenly getting queen moves. Manoeuvring became a decisive tactical factor in many of the great naval battles of the Age of Sail .

The lateen rig eventually gave rise to the Bermuda rig, which became more or less totally ubiquitous on small sailing vessels by the end of the 20 th century. Almost all modern pleasure yachts use a variation of the Bermuda rig, such as a sloop rig.

In conclusion the lateen was a hugely important and influential development; arguably one of the most important inventions of the ancient world, and certainly one of the most important sails of all time.

If you’re curious to find out more about modern day rigs then take a look at the best sails for cruising . They might look quite different but now you know where the inspiration came from!

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Lateen Sail Question, I’m Sure There’s a Reason

• Thread starter blackislandben
• Start date Aug 24, 2020
• Forums for All Owners
• Ask All Sailors

blackislandben

New poster here with a question. I sail small boats and favor the simplicity of the lateen rig. I am currently converting a boat to a lateen rig and wondered why I have never seen one with the spars mounted to the mast at the apex(or very front of the yard/boom). This would certainly eliminate the “bad side of the mast” issue. Would be easy to do. What am I missing here. Please excuse any misuse of terminology, feel free to correct as necessary.  

maybe a sketch of what your thinking? The boom part would/might be fine, but the yard part of a lanteen rig gets its support (in order to get proper sail shape) from being supported, part way along, by the mast. I suppose what your suggesting is just a gaff rigged boat, with a "zero" length luff? Chris  

Most likely it is to balance the sail plan and make it easier to control the main sail. The sail area forward of the mast, although small, exerts a force to counter the force of the section behind the mast. On larger boats rudders are often designed so that part of the rudder is forward of the rudder post for the same reason. It makes it easier to steer.  

Though I don't have a lot of first hand experience with the lateen rig, I'm pretty sure it is an important part of its design that there is the correct amount of sail in front of the mast for balance. It is even possible that this can be shifted for the point of sail one intends to be on.  

Thanks so much for the reply! The yard is drawn up into a yoke/gallows on the mast. The mast is in an outer tube socket, sits on a sealed bearing and is free to rotate with the sail. The yoke stays the yard. If you think about it when a lateen is on the good side of the mast is unsupported except by the halyard. The yoke will stay it in both directions. Disregard the squiggle . Please excuse the crude drawing but you get the idea I’m hoping.  

Attachments

blackislandben said: Thanks so much for the reply! The yard is drawn up into a yoke/gallows on the mast. The mast is in an outer tube socket, sits on a sealed bearing and is free to rotate with the sail. The yoke stays the yard. If you think about it when a lateen is on the good side of the mast is unsupported except by the halyard. The yoke will stay it in both directions. Disregard the squiggle . Please excuse the crude drawing but you get the idea I’m hoping. Click to expand

Thanks for all your replies and thoughts. The yard/boom only extend 12” past the mast. I don’t see a lot of area there to balance the forces. Here’s a pic of the sail a 66sf Sunfish. (not my boat) On my rig the boom is level leaving little past the mast. Plan to use at least a 2:1 purchase. Main Idea is to eliminate bad side of the mast. I sail long runs on the return it’s all bad mast. I have over come this by having a mast eye on both sides of the boom. I just pull the mast and swap sides. Bad thing is the yard won’t fully come back next to the boom and easily fit in the sail bag.  

blackislandben said: The yard/boom only extend 12” past the mast. I don’t see a lot of area there to balance the forces. Click to expand

I'm not getting it. Why would you want to move the center of effort so far back... you'll be fighting the tiller whenever you get gusted. If you don't like the way the latteen rig is set up, then convert to a cat rig. A gaff rig, might even allow for an additional staysail above the yard... but heck... now you're getting complicated. Your mainsail power will be in the back half of the sail, so what air is disturbed when the yard is to windward... I can't really see how it will affect performance. I've owned both Lasers (a cat rig) and a sunfish (lateen) and I prefer the cat rig for performance. The lateen's advantage, imho.. is easier to handle and balance due the rig's low aspect ratio. Bottom line........ make the change... if you like it.....cool.... if not... convert it back to original. It's that simple. there's no right or wrong.  

Thanks y’all for all the input. I know there is a massive amount of knowledge and experience within the forum and I appreciate your opinions. I like to experiment with ideas. I can make easily reversible mods to the rig to check the concept. Joe The boat involved actually needs the center of effort moved back due to some previous mods that moved the mast forward. The boat is an on going experiment of sorts in its own right. I probably should not have gotten involved with it but the price was right(free), and it was just too darned cute to let it get cut up.  

The book I have on my shelf is OFFSHORE YACHTS desirable and undesirable characteristics by John Rousmaniere. It has more answers than you have questions but the ones that stick out would be spin on axis and righting moment. Since it’s off the shelf, I’ll be reading it later. Is this a small boat?  

After thinking about the proposed modification to your rig, there is one huge issue that hasn't been addressed, sail twist. All sails twist. The upper leach will fall off to leeward. This is expected and because the wind at the top of the mast is different from the wind at the bottom a desired characteristic as it improves sail performance. Like all good things, too much twist is bad and impairs sail performance. On a lateen rig, the location of the mast connection serves 2 purposes, as noted earlier it provides a small section of sail ahead of the mast which helps to balance the rig and reduce pressure on the main sheet and makes steering easier. The second and probably more important function is to stabilize the upper section of the sail so that it does not twist. The mast, the upper and lower spars form a triangle this prevents the upper spar from twisting more than the aluminum pole will twist (on a small boat, that's not much). The upper and lower spars will be in the same vertical plane. In the proposed modification, this triangle will not exist which will allow the top spar to fall off to leeward significantly reducing sail efficiency. The line (topping lift) used to support the upper spar will only keep the upper and lower spars in the same vertical plane when head to wind or in irons. The design proposed by @rgranger over comes this limitation by drawing the upper spar close to the mast, essentially making it an extension of the mast. Depending on how it is rigged, the amount of twist can be controlled by how close to the mast the upper spar is drawn. This design is very similar to the standard triangular mainsail most of us use. The lateen sail you have will need modification to work with this design. The tack will need to be close to 90° and the lateen sail is probably closer to 60°. Using the lateen sail in this configuration will move the center of effort much higher and cause the boat to be more tender.  

It’s kinda small, 17ft. It’s one of those things that evolves from a set of unforeseen circumstances. The poor thing had been stripped of all rig and abandoned behind an abandoned house. I after a few years ran down the owner and was given it. The only logical thing to do with it was to make it a motor launch, which it has proven to be excellent at. I also love land sailing and built a great sailing land yacht. Unfortunately as the beach became more crowded each year wizzing around tourists at 25+ began to be frowned upon. So I reluctantly dismantled the sailer. So lm left with a complete but way too small sail rig. What to do, combine them into a motorsailer. In a 12-15mph breeze it does sail leisurely along which my wife loves. Case closed, done deal, it is what it is. Im now about firming up the rig. Hoping to get a Neil Pryde 83sf sail. That’s is as far as it goes. Was just considering the modded rig maybe to improve performance a tad? So you can see how it’s evolved into an esoteric assemblage. Things gotta go where they gotta go now. Its odd but does work reasonably well. It does have its quirks, but most quirky things are interesting. Before and now evolving pics And my deceased landsailer.  

She cleaned up nice! The sail is too small for the boat. But I suspect you knew that already. Keep your eye out for a boat of similar size that has a bad hull and good mast and boom. That will give you the best performance.  

dlochner, thanks for that insight! Will just leave as is and motorsail leisurely around the tidal creeks to the beach. As they say it’s not the destination but the trip. Thanks everyone for all your input!!  

Sliding Gunter rig. Been around a while. The Sliding Gunter: A versatile Traditional Sailing Rig  

PaulK said: Sliding Gunter rig. Been around a while. The Sliding Gunter: A versatile Traditional Sailing Rig Click to expand

Had a W W Potter 14 with that rig. Was a near little boat. Like the hard chines sailed pretty flat.  

An excellent article. I will chew on that for a while. The dory I built had a sprit sail arrangement. I have to say the snotter was not as adjustable as said because I would have to go to forward in the boat while the main would be flailing out of control. It wasn't safe. I never got the hang of the snotter/sprit arrangement. But I didn't have instruction. Years later a friend told me of the old time expression, "Cheese down the snotter." We got a kick out of that. Traditional rigs are a hoot.  

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Interesting Facts About The Snark Sail Design

The Snark Sail is referred to as a "Lateen" style sail, which means the mast is short and the sail has another spar, called a gaff, which carries the peak of the sail up much higher than the top of the mast, with the gaff slightly angled so that the lower front corner of the sail is in front of the mast.   The Lateen style sail originated in ancient times and is still used all over the world on small boats, especially in India and the Arab world.  Those fishing and trading vessels often use rags and old grain sacks stitched together for sail cloth.  A Lateen sail can hold its own against a sloop rig of equal total sail area (sloop rigs have a jib and mainsail) in a race of otherwise equal boats and crews.  Don't believe what some say about jibs increasing the efficiency of the main.  Snark and SailboatsToGo and other users of the Lateen sail plan are continuing a long and proud tradition in sailing. 

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