11 BT Nov 2017 for archive

BOAT TRADER ADVERTORIAL
DIFFERENT TYPES
Open style sport
motor yachts
Sailing Boats
Catamarans
Open style sport motor yachts are very
common, have a maximum of two decks but
can be very spacious and luxurious. These
vessels are, generally, fast so you can cut down
on journey time, but also have the refinements
needed for entertaining guests with plenty of
space for sunbathing and dining.
They’re the perfect type of vessel for getting
into those secluded bays and deserted beaches;
they’re easier to manoeuvre into marinas –
worth thinking about if you are inexperienced
at the helm. They come with a choice of engine
sizes, so you need to think carefully about what
kind of sailing you’ll be doing, as the engine
size and the amount of rpm will have a huge
bearing on fuel consumption. Hybrid systems
are starting to be seen on some big yachts and
the technology is getting better all the time, so
it’s only a matter of time before such systems
will be found on smaller yachts.
The type of propulsion you choose can include:
outboard, inboard shaft drive, sail drive,
stern or surface drive, Pods or jet drive, all
have advantages over one another in certain
situations. You can have stern thrusters fitted
if you want total control, although they won’t be
needed if the vessel has pod drives. Something
to consider if you’re likely to have people on
board who might not be good with a rocking
boat is stabilization. You can get stabilization
for boats from 30’ up in length that can be
retro fitted or added during construction.
Stabilization is useful while underway to help
reduce boat motion, relieving some symptoms
of seasickness.
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Sailing boats come in three different hull
types; monohull, twin hull (Catamaran) or
triple hull (Trimaran). Mono hull yachts are
the most common. Then there is the type of
Mast and Sails you require: A cat is a small
boat with one Mast far forward near the
Bow with one Sail. A sloop has one mast
and two sails, and then there is a Cutter,
which still has one Mast but three sails.
A Ketch will have a second shorter Mast aft
of the main near the Transom, A Schooner
usually only have two masts, but can have
more, in a two mast configuration the aft
mast is taller than the main.
Most sailboats have a Fin Keel, which varies
in design, some with wings (to help reduce
draft) or a heavy bulb (which lowers the
centre of gravity, making it more efficient
without increasing its length). Then there
are Bilge Keels or twin keels, these are set
off to either side of the hull, as opposed to
the centre like the Fin type.
They are not so good at reducing slippage,
however, so you need to be more aware in
heavy winds. There is also a Full-Length
Keel, usually found on older boats.
Sailboats usually come with a single engine,
very useful for getting in and out of marinas
and when there’s no wind whilst underway.
Depending on the boat’s size, you’ll find
it will either have a tiller connected to
the rudder or it will have up to two large
steering wheels connected to the rudder.
Catamarans are boats made up of two
hulls. This type of boat is becoming more
and more popular mainly because of the
extra room you get both inside and on
deck.
They are usually two decks, although some
larger ones can have three, and come in
both motor and sail versions in various
sizes.
It is said, and proven through tests, that
they are unsinkable (where have we heard
that before?). They are also very difficult to
capsize and if you are unlucky enough to
have this happen at least it wont sink, so
you can use it as a life raft.
The disadvantage of them compared to a
monohull if capsized is with a monohull, if
you catch it quick enough before it sinks,
there is a good chance of re-righting the
boat, whereas with a catamaran you have
no chance of getting it back sunny side up.
It has to be said though they are faster,
under sail, than a monohull in the same
wind because of less resistance from
the hull, and they don’t need a large
keel hanging down beneath the water to
counter the sails.
Because of the twin hull design they don’t
heel when under sail like a monohull does
and tend to sail quite flat, which has it’s
advantages but does make it a bit more of
a handful when tacking and you have to be
careful not to overload the sails.