Sloop

In modern usage, a sloop is a <a href="/facts/Sailboat/1dygt5l1">sailboat</a> with a single <a href="/facts/Mast_(sailing)/fA4p9N56">mast</a> generally having only one headsail in front of the mast and one <a href="/facts/Mainsail/6LDpNTQ0">mainsail</a> abaft (behind) the mast. It is a type of <a href="/facts/Fore-and-aft_rig/CI8uA4CC">fore-and-aft rig</a>. The mainsail may be of any type, most often <a href="/facts/Bermuda_rig/vEk7Ah95">Bermuda rig</a>, but also others, such as <a href="/facts/Gaff_rig/bQp8oKvf">gaff</a> or <a href="/facts/Gunter_rig/gqDYB7Ro">gunter</a>.
In naval terminology, "<a href="/facts/Sloop-of-war/LKXBvGkw">sloop-of-war</a>" refers to the purpose of the craft, rather than to the specific size or <a href="/facts/Sail-plan/kasjrq2h">sail-plan</a>, and thus a sloop should not be confused with a sloop-of-war. As with many rig definitions, it was some time before the term sloop referred to the type of rig.
Regionally, the definition also takes into account the position of the mast. A forward mast placement and a fixed (as opposed to <a href="/facts/Glossary_of_nautical_terms_(M%E2%80%93Z)/UuoyXQxv">running</a>) bowsprit, but with two headsails may give categorisation as a sloop. An example is the <a href="/facts/Friendship_Sloop/y9jenAM1">Friendship Sloop</a>.: 48-53

Sloop open-in-new

Sloop