Sailboat
Sailboats are propelled by sails powered by the wind. They are also called dinghies, boats and yachts, depending on their size.
The use of sails on boats dates back to ancient Egypt, when the Egyptians added sails to their reed boats to sail upstream on the Nile. Sailboats were used to develop international trade routes, although this mode of propulsion has been replaced by less wind-dependent methods.
Today, sailboats are used almost exclusively for leisure. Cruising and racing are popular pastimes, with many different options in each case.
Sailboat racing is a seasonal weekday and weekend pastime for many people around the world, on a variety of boats - from small dinghies like the Optimist to racers/cruisers. There are also professional sailboat racing teams who take part in races of varying lengths, from day races "around the buoys" to single-handed or crewed teams who circumnavigate the globe, sometimes without stopping.
Sailboat cruising is also practised in many different ways, on a variety of boats and types of water (lakes, rivers, canals, coastal waters and oceans), for varying lengths of time. While most sailors are content to sail for the day or to a weekend destination, others buy a sailboat to realize a lifelong dream: sailing off into the sunset.
Other definitions linked to this word
Boat
Catamaran
What is a catamaran? Simply put, a catamaran is a boat with two hulls. The term is derived from the Tamil word kattumaram, meaning "tree trunks bound together". Far from their rudimentary beginnings, today's catamarans are generally built in fiberglass or carbon, with two hulls joined by a deck, and are designed in many sizes and for a variety of activities. Sailing catamarans have made great strides in recent decades. Small day sailing catamarans are popular because they provide a safe and simple learning platform. You'll find fleets of them in seaside resorts, where they're used by people with very little sailing experience. These small boats are generally made of roto-molded plastic or fiberglass and usually have no auxiliary engine, their only source of propulsion being the sails. Tall ships have invaded the world of long-distance cruising and bareboat charters. Almost all bareboat charter companies based in the tropics now offer more sailing catamarans than monohulls, and their numbers are also increasing in destinations such as the Mediterranean. As a rule, sailing catamarans have two engines, one in each hull, for maneuvering, as well as a mast supporting a mainsail and at least one headsail.
Boat
Zodiac
On some cruises, the cruise ship simply can't be used, for example to get to excursions in shallow, rocky waters. That's where the Zodiac boat comes in, an expedition craft that helps you and other cruisers get to places your cruise ship simply can't go. Larger cruise ships use tenders to transport passengers to and from shore, while smaller vessels - particularly in the adventure category - use Zodiacs to provide the same service or for nature-watching excursions. Originally created in the 1930s for naval aviation, Zodiacs today come in many shapes and sizes - and have a unique application in the cruising industry. First and foremost, Zodiac boats are inflatable. The sides and bow are made of inflatable tubes filled with pressurized gas, making them light, fast, buoyant and easy to transport. They have a shallow draft, which means the bottom of the boat doesn't sink very low below the waterline. What does this mean for the functionality of Zodiac rafts? Zodiacs can access shallow waters, or waters with obstacles such as rocks that would damage a less resistant metal or fiberglass hull. When boarding a Zodiac boat, it's important to be as comfortable and safe as possible. Note that it's quite possible to get wet and cold, so make sure you prepare accordingly with items such as a waterproof jacket (your cruise ship can provide this), fleece jacket, waterproof boots, hat, waterproof gloves, warm socks, waterproof pants and a waterproof bag for your belongings. The wind can be relatively strong, as can the sun and its reflection on the water. We recommend that you wear warm (but waterproof) clothing, a ski mask or scarf to cover your face, and polarized sunglasses (to protect your eyes from the wind and sun). Who can safely board a Zodiac boat? Due to their reduced size and lack of cover, Zodiacs are best used by passengers with reduced mobility who are comfortable embarking and disembarking at sea, when the boat is pitching due to the movement of waves and currents. Be prepared for disembarking on the water, when the Zodiac stops on a beach and passengers get out of the water and walk a few meters to shore.
