yawls

Twin-masted sailboats

Yawls is the plural of yawl, a type of sailboat with two masts where the smaller rear mast (the mizzenmast) is positioned behind the rudder post.

This distinguishes yawls from ketches, which have the mizzenmast forward of the rudder.

Yawls were popular among cruising sailors for their versatility and ease of handling.

The word also has an older, less common meaning as a ship's small boat or jolly boat.

vessel

ketch

Two-masted fore-and-aft vessel

  • sloopOne-masted fore-and-aft rigger
  • dinghySmall auxiliary watercraft
  • skiffSmall, light rowing boat

catboat · schooner · cutter · sailboat · dory · wherry · pinnace · longboat · sampan · coracle

sailing

mainsail

Principal vessel canvas

  • jibTriangular sail forward
  • tackingAngled sailing maneuver
  • jibingMatching in agreement

helm · rudder · keel · mizzen · boom · rigging · windward · leeward · starboard · port

cry

howl

Prolonged mournful cry

  • wailProlonged mournful cry
  • shriekShrill, piercing cry
  • yelpBrief, shrill cry

bawl · screech · squall · holler · bellow · yowl · caterwaul · whine · mewl · ululate

Categories
Opposites
sailing vessel rig type

yawlssloops

Single-masted fore-and-aft vessels

catboats · ketches · schooners · powerboats · motorboats

Family

yawl, yaws

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G