A yacht ( / j ɒ t / ) is a sail - or motor -propelled watercraft made for pleasure, cruising, or racing. There is no standard definition, though the term generally applies to vessels with a cabin intended for overnight use. To be termed a yacht , as opposed to a boat , such a pleasure vessel is likely to be at least 33 feet (10 m) in length and may have been judged to have good aesthetic qualities.
62-643: USS Hoqua (SP-142) was an armed yacht that served in the United States Navy as a patrol vessel from 1917 to 1919. Hoqua was built as a civilian yacht in 1914 by Charles Seabury at Morris Heights in the Bronx , New York . The U.S. Navy acquired her from her owner, Robert M. Curtis of Chicago , Illinois , in June 1917 for use as a patrol vessel during World War I . She was commissioned at Brooklyn , New York , on 27 July 1917 as USS Hoqua (SP-142). Hoqua
124-739: A large yacht as one that is 24 metres (79 ft) or more at the waterline and is in commercial use for sport or pleasure, while not carrying cargo or more than 12 passengers and carrying a professional crew. The code regulates the equipping of such vessels, both at sea and in port—including such matters as crew duty times and the presence of a helicopter on board. The code has different levels of standard for vessels above and below 500 gross tons . Such yachts may be considered superyachts and are more commonly at 40 metres (130 ft) or more in length. Other countries have standards similar to LY2. Whereas commercial large yachts may carry no more than 12 passengers, private yachts are solely for
186-623: A cox and passengers. The organisers of the Great River Race developed the modern version in the 1980s and now many of the fleet of 24 compete annually in this "Marathon of the River". Watermen's cutters also compete annually in the Port of London Challenge, and the Port Admirals' Challenge. Cutter races are also to be found at various town rowing and skiffing regattas . In addition the cutters perform
248-464: A ringtail to the mainsail and studding sails to the square sails. It was not unknown for cutters to use a removable mizzen mast for use when reaching , setting a lugsail . Since the boom of the mainsail overhung the stern, the mast would have to be removed to tack or gybe. The dimensions of an 18th-century cutter purchased by the Royal Navy in 1763, and roughly in the middle of the size range of
310-483: A steam auxiliary engine . Early examples, driven with paddle wheels, had a railed platform from which the person conning the vessel could walk across the vessel above the main deck, the origin of the bridge . In the late 18th century, steam engines became more efficient, spars were removed and screw propellers became standard. Steam yachts evolved with the development of the steam engine . Ultimately, engines employed pistons driven by steam within cylinders, connected to
372-431: A 600-foot (180 m) yacht, REV Ocean , was under construction, which when launched would replace the 590-foot (180 m) Azzam as the longest superyacht. As superyachts have grown size, the distinction between a yacht and a ship (perhaps converted for personal use) has become unclear. A proposed definition for calling a vessel a yacht rather than a ship would if it was constructed solely for personal use and has
434-465: A boat with two headsails would be termed a sloop if the mast has a more forward position and the bowsprit is permanently rigged. An example of this is the Friendship Sloop . A traditional cutter, by contrast, has a running bowsprit and the jib is set flying on a traveller that is hauled out to the end of the bowsprit. In a vessel such as a Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter , a storm jib might be set on
496-741: A business for profit. As of 2020, there were more than 15,000 yachts of sufficient size to require a professional crew. The term, yacht , originates from the Dutch word jacht (pl. jachten ), which means "hunt", and originally referred to light, fast sailing vessels that the Dutch Republic navy used to pursue pirates and other transgressors around and into the shallow waters of the Low Countries . The history of pleasure boats begins with rowed craft in Pharaonic Egyptian times, and other vessels in
558-665: A category, apart. Design considerations for a cruising yacht include seaworthiness, performance, sea kindliness, and cost of construction, as follows: Multihulls offer tradeoffs as cruising sailboats, compared with monohulls . They may be catamarans or trimarans. They rely on form stability—having separate hulls far apart—for their resistance to capsize. Their advantages include greater: stability, speed, (for catamarans) living space, and shallower draft. Their drawbacks include: greater expenses, greater windage , more difficult tacking under sail, less load capacity, and more maneuvering room required because of their broad beam. They come with
620-467: A combination of diesels and gas turbines with a combined 47,000 horsepower (35,000 kW). Cutter (boat) A cutter is any of various types of watercraft . The term can refer to the rig (sail plan) of a sailing vessel (but with regional differences in definition), to a governmental enforcement agency vessel (such as a coast guard or border force cutter), to a type of ship's boat which can be used under sail or oars, or, historically, to
682-632: A combined occupancy of less than 100, including crew. The United States Coast Guard classifies motorboats—any vessel less than 65 feet (20 m), propelled by machinery—in four classes by length: A motor yacht's style can both be functional and evoke an aesthetic—trending towards the modern or the traditional. Among the styles, mentioned in the literature, are: There are three basic types of motor yacht hull: full-displacement , semi-displacement , and planing , which have progressively higher cruise speeds and hourly fuel consumption with increased engine power: A typical semi-displacement yacht has
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#1732858146744744-520: A contest between the yacht, America , and its English competitors. Both countries had rules by which to rate yachts, the English by tonnage and the American by length. In the late 19th century, yacht owners would base their choice of vessel upon preferred lifestyle and budget, which would determine the size and type of vessel, which would most likely be a fore-and aft, two-masted sailing vessel. A treatise on
806-407: A crank shaft, which drove a propeller. Near the end of the 19th century, compound engines came into widespread use. Compound engines exhausted steam into successively larger cylinders to accommodate the higher volumes at reduced pressures, giving improved efficiency. These stages were called expansions, with double- and triple-expansion engines being common, especially in shipping where efficiency
868-423: A dipping lug fore-sail and a sprit mizzen. For much of the 19th century, and into the 20th, cutters were rigged with a dipping lug on the foremast and a standing lug on the mizzen. This made them similar to many of the luggers worked from the beaches and harbours of Britain. The sail plan illustration here (1880 Sail Plan) even replicates the civilian lugger terminology of having a fore and mizzen mast, and not using
930-428: A full complement of fore and aft sails. In civilian use, cutters were mostly involved in smuggling . The navy and coastguard therefore also used cutters in an attempt to catch those operating illegally. The term cutter appeared in the early 18th century as a description of a hull type. These vessels were designed for speed and the name was used in a similar way to clipper in the next century. The concept of hull type
992-419: A full range of extra light weather sails. The mainsail had a boom that extended beyond the stern. Square sails consisted of a course , topsail and topgallant . In earlier examples (before 1800) the topsail's foot had a large amount of roach and was sheeted to a separate yard that was set below the main yard (which carried the course). The headsails were a staysail , set on the forestay (which fastened to
1054-518: A higher-aspect ratio fin keel with hydrodynamically efficient bulbs for ballast. On some racing yachts, a canting keel shifts angle from side to side to promote sailing with less heeling angle (sideway tilt), while other underwater foils take care of leeway (sideways motion). Motor yachts range in length from 33–130 feet (10–40 m) before they are considered super-yachts or mega-yachts , which are 130 feet (40 m) and longer. They also vary by use, by style, and by hull type. As of April 2020
1116-491: A hired crew and have higher construction standards. Further classifications for large yachts are commercial : carrying no more than 12 passengers; private : solely for the pleasure of the owner and guests, or by flag , the country under which it is registered. A superyacht (sometimes megayacht ) generally refers to any yacht (sail or power) longer than 131 ft (40 m). Racing yachts are designed to emphasize performance over comfort. Charter yachts are run as
1178-453: A large number for use in controlling smuggling, as "advice boats" (carrying dispatches), or against privateers . The characteristic cutter hull shape was wide; many had a length to breadth ratio of 3 to 1. It had a lot of deadrise and fine lines. A huge amount of sail could be set on these beamy hulls. The rig became standardised as having one mast, a gaff-rigged mainsail , square sails and several headsails – together with
1240-479: A more prevalent type of power plant in the 20th century thanks to their low cost of operation and reliability. The Recreational Craft Directive requires that all vessels sold in the European Union and United Kingdom satisfy one of four design categories, based on the wind force and seas that they are designed to encounter: The Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2) of Great Britain and its dominions defines
1302-610: A navigation station that allows planning the route. Onboard systems include: Modern yachts employ a suite of electronics for communication, measurement of surroundings, and navigation. Sailing yachts for cruising versus racing embody different tradeoffs between comfort and performance. Cruising yachts emphasize comfort over performance. Racing yachts are designed to compete against others in their class, while providing adequate comfort to their crews. Cruising yachts may be designed for near-shore use or for passage-making. They may also be raced, but they are designed and built with
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#17328581467441364-407: A new category of pleasure craft. The power plants started with the steam engine and transitioned to the internal combustion engine. Whereas sailing yachts continued to be steered from the after portion of the vessel, power yachts adopted the bridge in a forward cabin structure that afforded better forward and sideways visibility. The history of steam yachts starts with large sailing yachts with
1426-554: A reefed bowsprit, with the bowsprit partially run in from its most fully extended position. The watermen of London used similar boats in the 18th century often decorated as depicted in historical prints and pictures of the River Thames in the 17th and 18th centuries. The modern waterman's cutter is based on drawings of these boats. They are 34 feet (10 m) long with a beam of 4 ft 6 in (1.37 m). They can have up to six oarsmen either rowing or sculling and can carry
1488-619: A replacement for her pinnace. In 1722, another ship had a cutter issued for a voyage to India, and by 1740 substantial numbers of cutters were being bought from Deal boatbuilders to equip Navy ships. The size of these boats varied from 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) in length. The 1740 purchases coincided with a decision to increase the number of boats carried by warships. During the Seven Years' War cutters were found particularly useful for cruising ships, being seaworthy and useful for boarding. However, they were more susceptible to damage than
1550-449: A type of fast-sailing vessel introduced in the 18th century, some of which were used as small warships. As a sailing rig, a cutter is a single-masted boat, with two or more headsails. On the eastern side of the Atlantic , the two headsails on a single mast is the fullest extent of the modern definition. In U.S. waters, a greater level of complexity applies, with the placement of the mast and
1612-492: A variety of sleeping accommodations and (for catamarans) bridge-deck configurations. Gaff rigs have been uncommon in the construction of cruising boats, since the mid 20th century. More common rigs are Bermuda , fractional , cutter , and ketch . Occasionally employed rigs since then have been the yawl , schooner, wishbone , catboat . Sailboats employ standing rigging to support the rig, running rigging to raise and adjust sails, cleats to secure lines, winches to work
1674-548: A wedge-shaped bow, which promotes penetrating waves, that transitions to flatter, wider surfaces aft, which promotes lifting the vessel out of the water—the "deep vee" hull, designed by Ray Hunt, found in approximately 75% of modern power boats. Cruising motor yachts are available in a range of styles as two-engine catamarans , ranging in length from 40–150 feet (12–46 m) with top speeds ranging from 20–60 knots (37–111 km/h). Motor yachts typically have one or more diesel engines . Gasoline-powered motors and engines are
1736-722: The Bristol Channel brought about over many years the development of the specialist Bristol Channel Pilot Cutter . According to records from Pill, Somerset now housed in the Bristol Museum , the first official Bristol Channel pilot was barge master George James Ray, appointed by the Corporation of Bristol in May 1497 to pilot John Cabot 's Matthew from Bristol harbour to the open sea beyond. In 1837 Pilot George Ray guided Brunel 's SS Great Western , and in 1844 William Ray piloted
1798-427: The 1960s fiberglass became a prevalent material. These materials and others continue in use. Whereas yachts of 79 feet (24 m) and below may be constructed of fiberglass , larger yachts are more likely to be constructed of steel, aluminum or composite fiber-reinforced plastic . Depending on size, a cruising yacht is likely to have at least two cabins , a main salon and a forward stateroom . In smaller yachts,
1860-424: The English crown, Charles was presented with a yacht and later commissioned a series of royal yachts, which included at least one experimental catamaran . The first recorded yacht race between two vessels occurred in 1661, followed by the first open sailing competition in 1663 in English waters. Starting in 1739, England found itself in a series of wars—a period that saw a decline in yachting. In Ireland, however,
1922-465: The barges and pinnaces that were types of ship's boat used in the Royal Navy – one distinctive resulting feature of this was the washstrake added to increase the freeboard . It was pierced with rowlock cut-outs for the oars, so that the thwarts did not need to be set unusually high to achieve the right geometry for efficient use. Cutters, as decked sailing vessels designed for speed, came into use in
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1984-442: The batch of 30 bought that year ( HMS Fly ) are: length on deck 47 feet 6 inches (14.48 m), beam 20 feet 10.25 inches (6.3564 m), measuring just over 78 tons bm . Smuggling cutters ranged from 30 tons (captured in 1747) to 140 tons. The Revenue cutters increased in size to match the vessels they attempted to catch – Repulse , of 210 tons was built in 1778. A determining factor on size
2046-441: The boats of that time (which had more rounded bows) and a transom stern. A distinctive feature was that the washstrake had cut-outs (called rowlocks ) in which the oars were worked, unlike most boats of the period, that used thole pins as the pivot point for the oars. This allowed a higher freeboard, which was helpful if sailing – when the cut-outs were filled with wooden shutters (often mis-called poppets ) to keep
2108-464: The comfort and amenities necessary for overnight voyages. Qualities considered in cruising yachts include: performance, comfort under way, ease of handling, stability, living comfort, durability, ease of maintenance, affordability of ownership. Cruising sailboats share the common attribute of providing overnight accommodations. They may be classified as small (easy to haul behind a trailer), near-shore and off-shore . Multihull sailing yachts are
2170-537: The details vary from country to country, generally these are small ships that can remain at sea for extended periods and in all usual weather conditions. Many, but not all, are armed. Uses include control of a country's borders and preventing smuggling. Cutters as ship's boats came into use in the early 18th century (dating which roughly coincides with the decked sailing vessels described below). These were clinker-built open boats which were fitted for propulsion by both oar and sail. They were more optimised for sailing than
2232-463: The early part of the 18th century. When first introduced, the term applied largely to the hull form, in the same way that clipper was used almost a hundred years later. Some of these 18th and 19th century examples were rigged as ketches or brigs . However, the typical rig, especially in Naval or revenue protection use, was a single-masted rig setting a huge amount of sail. Square sails were set, as well as
2294-514: The gentry enjoyed yachting and founded the first yacht club in Cork as the Cork Harbour Water Club in 1720. English yacht racing continued among the English gentry who founded England's oldest yacht club in 1775 to support a fleet at Cumberland . With maritime peace, starting in 1815, came a resurgence of interest in yachting. Boatbuilders, who had been making fast vessels both for smugglers and
2356-406: The government revenue cutters , turned their skills again to yachts. The fast yachts of the early 19th century were fore-and-aft luggers , schooners , and sloops . By the 1850s, yachts featured large sail areas, a narrow beam, and a deeper draft than was customary until then. Racing between yachts owned by wealthy patrons was common, with large wagers at stake. The America's Cup arose out of
2418-421: The harbour to operate within their jurisdiction , pilots were generally self-employed, and the quickest transport meant greater income. As their fishing boats were heavy working boats, and filled with fishing equipment, they needed a new type of boat; early boats were developed from single masted fishing cutter designs and twin masted yawls , and latterly into the specialist pilot cutter. The natural dangers of
2480-441: The heavier boats that they replaced and much less capable of carrying heavy weights, such as anchors and water casks. The range of sizes available steadily increased. By 1817 the cutters issued came in 17 different lengths, from 12 to 34 feet (3.7 to 10.4 m). This big variety was reduced when the Royal Navy's warships moved to steam propulsion. Since drinking water could now be distilled on board, ships no longer needed to have
2542-922: The larger SS Great Britain on her maiden voyage. The term cutter is also used for any seaworthy vessel used in the law enforcement duties of the United Kingdom's Border Force , the United States Coast Guard (because of its descent from the Revenue Cutter Service ) or the customs services of other countries. In the United States, the early Revenue Cutter Service operated customs cutters that were commonly schooners or brigs . In Britain, they were usually rigged as defined under Sailing ( above ). The British Board of Customs also used other vessels as hulks , which were moored in places such as tidal creeks . Customs officers worked from
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2604-431: The larger and later examples were generally double-banked . For transporting large numbers of men, in moderate weather conditions, a 34 ft cutter could carry a total of 66 men, a 26 ft cutter, 36 men and a 20 ft cutter, 21 men. Steam powered ship's boats saw a slow introduction to the Royal Navy from 1864. By 1877, three types were in use: steam launches, picket boats and steam cutters. However, right up to
2666-471: The largest boats that they could carry to maximise the amount of water collected on each trip. The standard-issue cutters from 1877 to 1900 came in 11 different lengths, ranging from 16 to 34 feet (4.9 to 10.4 m). This was cut to 5 sizes from 26 to 34 feet (7.9 to 10.4 m) in 1914. The sailing rig of the cutters used as ship's boats was usually two masted. In 1761, the larger Deal-built cutters had spritsails set on these masts, soon transitioning to
2728-454: The pleasure of the owner and guests do not carry the passenger restriction. Yachts may be identified by flag—the country under which a yacht is registered. An industry publication categorizes superyachts by size, by speed, as "explorer" yachts, as sailing yachts, and classic yachts. Originally, all yachts were made of wood, using a wooden keel and ribs, clad with planks. These materials were supplanted with iron or steel in steam yachts. In
2790-416: The provenance of outboard motors and racing boats , due to their power-to-weight ratios . Two engines add expense, but provide reliability and maneuverability over a single engine. Motor yachts in the 42-foot (13 m) range might have the following hull, horsepower, cruise speed, and hourly fuel consumption characteristics: Superyachts may employ multiple 9,000-horsepower (6,700 kW) diesels or
2852-407: The rigging details of the bowsprit taken into account – so a boat with two headsails may be classed as a sloop . Government agencies use the term "cutter" for vessels employed in patrolling their territorial waters and other enforcement activities. This terminology is derived from the sailing cutters which had this sort of role from the 18th century to the end of the 19th century. (See below.) Whilst
2914-613: The role of ceremonial Livery Barges with the canopies and armorial flags flying on special occasions. Cutters have been used for record-breaking attempts and crews have achieved record times for sculling the English Channel (2 h 42 min) in 1996 and for sculling non-stop from London to Paris (4 days 15 min) in 1999. The pilot cutter developed from the need for a fast boat to take maritime pilots from harbour to incoming large trading vessels. As most early pilots were local fisherman who undertook both jobs, although licensed by
2976-407: The salon is likely to have convertible berths for its crew or passengers. Typically the salon includes a dining area, which may have a folding, built-in table. The salon is typically contiguous to the galley . A cruising yacht is likely to have a head (bathroom) with a marine toilet that discharges waste into a holding tank. Larger yachts may have additional staterooms and heads. There is typically
3038-445: The sheets, and more than one anchor to secure the boat in harbor. A cruising yacht's deck usually has safety line to protect the crew from falling overboard and a bow pulpit to facilitate handling the jib and the anchor. In temperate climates, the cockpit may have a canvas windshield with see-through panels, called a "dodger". Steering may be either by tiller or wheel. Cruising yachts have an auxiliary propulsion power unit to supplement
3100-429: The stemhead), a jib , set flying to a traveller on the bowsprit and, in most cases, a flying jib (alternatively termed a jib-topsail) also set flying, but to a higher point on the mast. A cutter has a running bowsprit, which can be brought inboard when not needed, such as in rough weather or in harbour. The bowsprit was usually of great length, sometimes longer than the hull. The standard fair weather sails consisted of
3162-433: The subject, A Manual of Yacht and Boat Sailing , provided detailed information on selecting, equipping, sailing, seamanship, management of the paid crew, and racing such vessels. It included a brief section on steam yachts, the recirculating coil steam engine just having made such yachts efficient enough for leisure travel on the water. While sailing yachts continued to exist, the development of reliable power plants created
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#17328581467443224-464: The term "main mast". A variation on this rig, seen for example in 1887, was to have two dipping lugs. The number of oars pulled varied with the size of the boat. A schedule of ship's boats of 1886 shows 34 to 30 feet (10.4 to 9.1 m) cutters pulling 12 oars, 28 feet (8.5 m), 10 oars, 26 to 20 feet (7.9 to 6.1 m), 8 oars and the two smallest sizes of 18 and 16 feet (5.5 and 4.9 m), 6 oars. The smaller boats could be single banked whilst
3286-573: The time of the First World War, the majority of the boats in use continued to be propelled solely by sail and oar. The Royal Navy still has some cutters that can be worked under sail or oar. In the simpler definition, the sailing rig called "cutter" has a single mast with fore and aft sails which include more than one headsail . The mainsail (set abaft, or behind the mast) could be gaff , Bermuda , standing lug or gunter rigged. A more complex definition may be applied in American waters, where
3348-552: The use of sails. Such power is inboard on the vessel and diesel, except for the smallest cruising boats, which may have an outboard gasoline motor . A 31-foot (9.4 m) sailboat might have a 13-horsepower (9.7 kW) engine, whereas a 55-foot (17 m) sailboat might have a 110-horsepower (82 kW) engine. Racing yachts emphasize performance over comfort. World Sailing recognizes eleven classes of racing yacht. High-performance rigs provide aerodynamic efficiency and hydrodynamically efficient hulls minimize drag through
3410-470: The water and sideways motion. Racing yachts have a wide selection of weights and shapes of sail to accommodate different wind strengths and points of sail. A suite of sails on a racing yachts would include several weights of jib and spinnaker, plus a specialized storm jib and trysail (in place of the mainsail ). Performance yachts are likely to have full-battened kevlar or carbon-fiber mainsails. Underwater foils can become more specialized, starting with
3472-472: The water out. The alternative, if the correct geometry for an efficient rowing position was adopted, was to position the thwarts awkwardly high. Like some other types of ship's boats used in the Royal Navy, the cutter appears to have originated in Deal . Some Navy Board correspondence of 1712 concerns disapproval of the captain of HMS Rochester for buying a cutter of about 20 feet (6.1 m) in length as
3534-481: The waters of Burma, India, Mindanao and Japan. Anglo-Saxon royal pleg-scips (play ships) of the 8th-century featured ornamented bows and sterns and had the capability of cooking on board. The history of sailing yachts begins in Europe in the beginning of the 1600s with the building of a pleasure vessel for the son of King James I of England . While other monarchs used naval ships for transportation and conquest, James I
3596-510: Was assigned to the 3rd Naval District , and performed general harbor duties at Brooklyn until 27 March 1918, when she arrived at New Haven , Connecticut , for duty. She served there as an inshore patrol vessel and as an escort for submarines in and around New Haven harbor for the remainder of the war. The Navy returned Hoqua to her owner on 6 February 1919. Yacht The Commercial Yacht Code classifies yachts 79 ft (24 m) and over as large . Such yachts typically require
3658-817: Was important to reduce the weight of coal carried. Steam engines remained the dominant source of power until the early 20th century, when advances in the design of the steam turbine , electric motors and internal combustion engines gradually resulted in the replacement of reciprocating (piston) steam engines. Large steam yachts were luxurious; their staff included a captain , engineer , and stewards, as well as deck hands. Nicolaus Otto and Gottlieb Daimler developed practical four-stroke gasoline engines, starting in 1876. Beginning in 1898 engines increased in horsepower from 25 horsepower (19 kW) to 500 brake horsepower (370 kW) by 1906. Some were destined for speedboats , other for motor yachts. Diesel power plants for boats were demonstrated in 1903. Diesels became
3720-505: Was perpetuated by the term "cutter brig" which was used over the period circa 1781–1807 for those rigged as brigs. "Cutter built" was a description applied to a hull of this type and designed for speed. More generally, the unmodified word "cutter" soon became associated with a single-masted rig. Fast vessels were often used for illegal purposes, such as smuggling, or by the authorities trying to prevent this illegality. Therefore, cutters were used for both. The Royal Navy bought and had built
3782-482: Was the first English monarch to commission the construction of a yacht—for his son Henry, Prince of Wales in the early 1600s. Pleasure vessels acquired the name yacht after the time of Charles II , who spent time exiled in Europe and visited the Netherlands, where a variety of jachten were already well developed as pleasure boats for the elite classes since the beginning of the 17th century. Upon his restoration to
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#17328581467443844-495: Was the number of crew needed to handle the large gaff mainsail with its long boom. Larger cutters purchased by the Royal Navy were sometimes converted to brigs to make them easier to handle, but still utilising the fast hull. At about the same time that the decked, fast-sailing cutters of the 18th century appeared, the term was also applied to a new class of ship's boat . These were clinker-built open boats, optimised for sailing but capable under oars. They had finer lines than
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