sloop

{{short description|Sail boat with a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig}}

File:C55 Kiel2007.jpg File:Niagara (1895 sloop) big (cropped).png sloop, 1899]]

In modern usage, a sloop is a sailboat with a single mast{{Cite web|url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/sloop|title=SLOOP {{!}} meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary|website=dictionary.cambridge.org|language=en|access-date=2019-05-12}} generally having only one headsail in front of the mast and one mainsail abaft (behind) the mast. It is a type of fore-and-aft rig. The mainsail may be of any type, most often Bermuda rig, but also others, such as gaff or gunter.

In naval terminology, "sloop-of-war" refers to the purpose of the craft, rather than to the specific size or sail-plan, 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 {{nautical term|running (adjective)|running}}) bowsprit, but with two headsails may give categorisation as a sloop. An example is the Friendship Sloop.{{r|Bennett 2005|p=48-53}}

Origins

The name originates from the Dutch sloep, which is related to the Old English slūpan, to glide.{{cite web |title=Sloop |url=https://www.dictionary.com/browse/sloop |website=dictionary.com |access-date=12 May 2019}} The original Dutch term applied to an open rowing boat.{{r|Bennett 2005|p=49}} A sloop is usually regarded as a single-masted rig with a single headsail and a fore-and-aft mainsail. In this form, the sloop is the commonest of all sailing rigs{{snd}}with the Bermuda sloop being the default rig for leisure craft, being used on types that range from simple cruising dinghies to large racing yachts with high-tech sail fabrics and large powerful winches.{{cite book |last1=Bennett |first1=Jenny |title=Sailing Rigs, an Illustrated Guide |date=2005 |publisher=Chatham Publishing |location=London |isbn=1-86176-243-7}}{{rp|48–53}}If the vessel has two or more headsails, the term cutter is usually applied, though there are regional and historic variations on this. A boat with a forward mast placement and a fixed bowsprit, but more than one headsail, may be called a sloop. The Friendship sloop is an example of this. Particularly with historic craft, categorisation as a cutter may rely on having a running bowsprit.{{r|Bennett 2005|pp=49-55}}

Variations

File:Bermudian sloops racing.jpg

Before the Bermuda rig became popular outside of Bermuda in the early 20th century, a (non-Bermudian) sloop might carry one or more square-rigged topsails which will be hung from a topsail yard and be supported from below by a crossjack.{{cite book|title=Progressive Dictionary of the English Language|first=Samuel |last=Fallows|date=1885|page=148|publisher=Progressive}}

A sloop's headsail may be masthead-rigged or fractional-rigged. On a masthead-rigged sloop, the forestay (on which the headsail is carried) attaches at the top of the mast. On a fractional-rigged sloop, the forestay attaches to the mast at a point below the top. A sloop may use a bowsprit, a spar that projects forward from the bow.