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Basic sailing knowledge: Different types of sailing ships
From imposing Full ships with their masts and Frames to the manoeuvrable high-speed gliders such as the Schooners and Briggen - Each sailing ship has its own history, characterised by tradition, functionality and regional influences. The diversity of the Riggingwhich Arrangement of the masts and the different sail shapes make every sailing ship unique and special for specific purposes.
What is a sailing ship?
A sailing ship is characterised entirely or primarily by its sails.moved by the force of the wind. Sailing ships have at least one mast and one sail, whereby one two types of sails differentiates: Square sails and topsails. Square sails are attached to a yard and are mainly orientated transverse to the direction of travel. Square sails are set in the direction of the ship's longitudinal axis.
What are the differences between sailing ship types?
Sailing ships are sailed across the Arrangement of their masts and their Equipment with sails differentiated. The Rigging is for the Assignment to a ship type important. When assigning a ship type, other characteristics of the ship are also taken into account, mainly the Design of the fuselagewhich in turn determines the intended use and possible sailing areas and often has a connection to the regional shipbuilding tradition in the respective construction period. The Sails have different shapes and various methods are used to attach them to the masts of a sailing ship.
Are you already from the Sailing inspires and would you like to delve a little deeper into the subject? If you have already sailed with us
- or intend to do so in the future - you may have learnt which Type of sailing ship it is: Our Eye of the Wind is a brig. What does that mean? What other Types of sailing ships exists and what distinguishes the different types of ship? We have put together some types of sailing ships for you.
Full ship
All masts are square-rigged. There are Four- and five-masted full-rigged ships. The rearmost mast carries an additional gaff sail (mizzen sail) to support turning and Neck manoeuvres. The famous "Preussen" and all fast tea clippers were full-rigged ships.
Bark
At the barque two fully rigged and one sparsely rigged mizzen mast for use. With the Four-masted barque another fully rigged mast is added. Compared to the full-rigged ship, the barque can be sailed with a smaller crew.
Schooner
Any multi-masted sailing vessel with non-fully rigged masts where the higher mast (main mast) is at the rearis a schooner. It is fast and manoeuvrable. Schooners were mainly used for courier services and as warships.
Brig
A brig is a two-masted vessel whose both masts fully rigged, fitted with yards are. The main mast also has a Gaff sail (mizzen sail) available. Brigs were often used as merchant ships and training vessels. The Eye of the Wind is one of them.
Details and Technical data about our tall ship Eye of the Wind can be found in the Ship section on this website. Would you like to get to know this impressive sailing ship for yourself? Then visit one of our free Open Ship Events. Dates for upcoming Ship tours you will find in our sailing plan.