Cat rigged
Encyclopedia
A boat or yacht that is Cat-rigged has a single mast, stepped well forward, carrying one fore and aft sail, behind the mast. A boat that is cat-rigged can also be described as having a Una rig.
Laser dinghies are cat-rigged, as are Finn dinghies, Optimists, many Freedom Yachts, and a large number of traditional fishing vessels.
Also cat-rigged are Catboats, a traditional open day-boat, often gaff-rigged, which used to be common on the East Coast of the US.
The terms cat-rigged, and catboat, should not be confused with catamarans. Catamarans are not related to the term cat-rigged. Though catamarans can of course be cat-rigged, if they have a single sail and no jib.
The term 'cat' probably comes from the 'cat head', a protruding cross beam, not far behind the bow, or head, of a sailing ship, to which the anchor was attached when the vessel was preparing for sea. The mast of a cat-rigged boat is stepped near the point that the 'cat head' would be.
Laser dinghies are cat-rigged, as are Finn dinghies, Optimists, many Freedom Yachts, and a large number of traditional fishing vessels.
Also cat-rigged are Catboats, a traditional open day-boat, often gaff-rigged, which used to be common on the East Coast of the US.
The terms cat-rigged, and catboat, should not be confused with catamarans. Catamarans are not related to the term cat-rigged. Though catamarans can of course be cat-rigged, if they have a single sail and no jib.
The term 'cat' probably comes from the 'cat head', a protruding cross beam, not far behind the bow, or head, of a sailing ship, to which the anchor was attached when the vessel was preparing for sea. The mast of a cat-rigged boat is stepped near the point that the 'cat head' would be.