2012 America’s Cup Race is coming this week to Newport and we at Boatshed Newport are so excited. You will notice that the boats racing this week are a little different than your traditional sail boat. Here’s a refresher on the traditional sailboats you may see in Newport Harbor during the America’s Cup Festivities.

Today, the most common sailboat is the sloop, which features one mast and two sails; a normal mainsail and a headsail. The mainsail is attached to the mast and the boom, which is a spar capable swinging across the boat, depending on the direction of the wind. In comparison, a schooner is characterized by the use of fore and aft sails on two or more masts with the forward mast being no taller than the rear masts. The cutter is similar to a sloop with a single mast and mainsail, but generally carries the mast further aft to allow for the use of two head sails attached to two fore stays. There are also catboats, ketches, yawls, dhonis, and last but not least dinghys.

The America’s Cup race 2012 will feature top sailors from around the world competing on wing sailed catamarans that can potentially reach a speed of 40 mph! Be sure to look us up in Newport; if you wish to buy or sell a sailboat! Feel free to register on our website for viewing access to thousands of beautiful sail and power vessels for sale around the world. Contact us

Boatshed Newport…proud to be local, privileged to be global.