Sailing: Sailing yachts exclusive novelties

People have been fascinated by sailing ships for thousands of years. They have contributed significantly to the development of human civilization. Sailing is a challenge that requires both physical and mental skills as well as a sound understanding of physics. Today, sailing has established itself as a sport and leisure activity for people of all ages. We show you exclusive innovations and trends in sailing yachts of various designs in conversation with the yacht builders.

The most popular types of sailboats

Dinghies are small and open sailing boats with a flat bottom. The center of gravity of these boats is above the waterline. This means that dinghies can right themselves through the water pressure if they capsize. The crew can shift the boat's centre of gravity using their own body weight to stabilize the boat in strong winds and gusts. If the crew does not react in time to a change in wind pressure, a dinghy can capsize. The floats mounted on the boat and/or foam-filled cavities in the hull ensure a strong buoyancy. This ensures that the boat does not sink after capsizing. The double bottoms installed in most dinghies ensure that any water that has penetrated when capsizing drains away quickly after righting. Experts differentiate between two main categories: Racing and touring dinghies. The different types differ in terms of their intended use. Hiking dinghies are designed for leisure and hobby sailors. They are stable and offer a high level of comfort. Racing dinghies, on the other hand, are used in competitive sailing sports as they are agile and fast. Most of the larger bodies of water in Germany are home to sailing clubs that practise dinghy sailing as a sport.

Daysailers are small sailing yachts and are suitable for day trips. They are usually lightweight and equipped with a large cockpit that can accommodate the entire crew. This enclosed area offers reliable protection from the weather. Standard daysailers can accommodate three to six people. Daysailers are comfortable and user-friendly. These sailboats usually weigh 700 to 3,000 kilograms and are up to ten meters long. However, some special designs with a length of around 20 meters are still considered daysailers, as they are only suitable for day or weekend trips in terms of their other features. Experts differentiate between keelboats and centerboard boats. The former have a heavy keel, which gives the boats extra stability. The latter are equipped with a so-called centerboard. Thanks to their shallow draft, centerboard boats can navigate shallow waters. In calm conditions, an outboard motor is used for propulsion, whereas larger sailing boats use an inboard motor. The crew steers a daysailer using a so-called tiller. There are usually no steering wheels on these comparatively small vessels.

Weekenders are specially designed for extended sailing trips at weekends. Compared to daysailers, they offer additional comfort for overnight stays on board. This allows sailors to spend longer periods on the water without increasing the risk of fatigue, tension and nervous strain. Weekenders are usually equipped with a spacious cabin that can accommodate several people. Larger boats of this type have bunks, a simple kitchenette and a wet room. The designers make sure that small crews or individuals can steer a weekender. These boats are therefore suitable for amateur sailors with limited sailing experience. Weekenders are available in various sizes, from small keelboats to cabin cruisers. This type of boat is the ideal choice for all sailing enthusiasts who are looking for an easy-to-steer and inexpensive sailing boat and at the same time want to go on longer trips.

Sailing yachts Sailing yachts are larger leisure and sports vessels that use their sails as their primary means of propulsion. Sailing cruisers and regatta yachts in particular belong to this type of vessel. Colloquially, the term also covers dinghies, daysailers and weekenders. Sailing yachts are suitable for longer trips with many overnight stays at sea. They offer sailors a spacious and comfortable cabin with sleeping berths, a kitchen and a bathroom. Sailing yachts are usually equipped with a solid keel, which ensures the stability of the ship even in heavy seas. This type of vessel also includes regatta yachts designed for competitive sailing. These boats are streamlined and built from particularly lightweight materials, making them extremely fast and maneuverable. The speed record for this type of boat is currently 65.45 knots. This corresponds to around 121 kilometers per hour and thus the speed of motor vehicles on freeways. Swiss engineers are working on a regatta yacht that should significantly exceed this speed record. If chief engineer Mayeul van den Broek achieves his ambitious goals, the sailing yacht will reach a top speed of 80 knots (148.16 kilometers per hour) under the name "SP80".

Multihulls are sailing boats that consist of several hulls. Catamarans and trimarans are among the best-known representatives of this type of vessel. Multihulls usually offer more interior and exterior space than monohulls. As the hulls stabilize each other, these ships can withstand heavy seas. Catamarans are the best-known multihulls. They consist of two parallel hulls, usually of the same size and with a similar cross-section. Catamarans are suitable for long voyages and transporting heavy loads. Trimarans consist of three hulls arranged in a line. The middle hull, in which the cabin is located, is longer than the two outer hulls. Due to their design, trimarans are fast, stable and maneuverable. They are mainly used in sporting competitions.

What is single-handed sailing? Single-handed sailing is the sailing of a larger boat with only one person on board. "Hand" is the English term for a crew member. The term "single-handed sailing" therefore describes the crew strength and not, as is often assumed, the operation of the boat with just one hand on the body. A voyage lasting several days, weeks or months places a physical and psychological strain on the sailor. In addition to loneliness, lack of sleep is a danger, as tiredness reduces concentration and performance and impairs the perception of sources of danger. The risk of developing psychiatric symptoms also increases, including listlessness, depressive moods, increased irritability and hallucinations. To reduce physical exertion, the boats are usually designed so that the sailor can perform all maneuvers from one place. All halyards and sheets are located in the cockpit so that the single-handed sailor does not have to move far away from the helm when hoisting, reefing or recovering the sails. Modern boats are equipped with self-steering systems that allow the sailor to rest and sleep, thus reducing the risk of sleep deprivation and psychological complaints.