Monday, May 28, 2007

Ketch

A ketch is a marine craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft (rearward of) the main mast. Both masts are rigged mostly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be approved forward of the main mast when going to windward. If a ketch is not rigged for jibs is known as cat ketch, sometimes called per auger. On older, larger ketches the major mast may in addition carry one or more square rigged topsails, alike to a sloop. A ketch may also carry further sails, see below.

The lowest fore-and-aft sail on the major mast is called the mainsail, while that on the mizzen is called the mizzen sail. These may be any kind of fore-and-aft sail, in any grouping. The Scots Zulu, for example, had a dipping lug main with a position lug mizzen.
The ketch is popular among long distance cruisers as the additional sail allows for a better balance, and a smaller more simply handled mainsail for the same overall sail area. It also allows sailing on mizzen and jib only without introducing extreme lee helm, and in an emergency can be quite well steered without use of the rudder.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Hydrofoil

It is a boat with wing-like foils mounted on struts under the hull. As the craft put into its speed the hydrofoils make better enough lift for the boat to become foil borne - i.e. to raise the hull up and out of the water. This consequence has a great decrease in drag and a corresponding increase in speed.
Early hydrofoils worn U-shape foils. Hydrofoils of this type are recognized as surface-piercing since portions of the U-shape hydrofoils will rise over the water surface when foil borne. Modern hydrofoils make use of T-shape foils which are fully submerged. Fully submerged hydrofoils are fewer subjected to the effects of wave action, and are therefore steadier at sea and are more relaxed for the crew and passengers. This type of pattern, however, is not self-stabilizing. The angle of attack on the hydrofoils wants to be adjusted endlessly in accordance to the changing conditions, a control process that is performed by computers. Failure to make the proper adjustments will result in the foil borne hull dipping aggressively back into the sea.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Fishing boat

A fishing boat can range from two-person enjoyment fishing boats up to 7-8 ton commercial fishers that can drag in over a billion fish at one time. Island nations like Japan rely on the fishing industry to give food. Fishing is also well-liked in places like the U.S, where it is often done for sport rather than for food. Fishing is extremely fixed in the American culture.
A lot of marinas and harbors cater to fishing boats and sport boats. It is an extensive array of business that make its living helpful for and service this boating and fishing community. Both leisure fishermen and commercial enterprises share the majority harbors.