A ketch - not to be mistaken for a Schooner Boats or a Yawl Boats, has two masts with the mizzen mast stepped before the rudder head.
Note, if the mast is stepped aft of the rudder head the boat becomes a yawl, not a ketch and a yawl rig tends to be used on smaller boats, ketch is often used on larger vessels, notably the Brixham trawlers and trading ketches of the last century.
The mizzen sail in a ketch is a driving sail, in a yawl, it is often more of a balancing sail. The mizzen sail(check out our huge selection of Sailboats) is always is smaller, often much smaller than the mainsail. If it was the same size or larger the boat would become a schooner. This allows you to use more sail area in a manageable way, as it is broken down into smaller sails.
Some say that practically, ketches are more work to sail but have a really convenient basis for a jury rig if your main mast goes over the side, plus a great place for hanging radar, other aerials. All of this with the added benefit of looking great!
Find your next boat online, Browse our new or used Ketch boat available for sale at righboat.com or have a boat to sell? then visit sell a boat online.
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