Class of Tall Ships
Our handy guide to tall ships will not only make you sound like an
expert but will also help you to get the best out of your visit.
Tall Ships are divided into the following categories:
- CLASS A - all square rigged vessels and all other vessels over 50m length overall (LOA)
- CLASS B - Traditional rigged vessels with a LOA of less than 40m and with a length a waterline length (LWL) of at lease 9.14m
- CLASS C - Modern rigged vessels with a LOA of less than 40m and with a LWL of at least 9.14m not carrying spinnaker-like sails
- CLASS D - Modern rigged vessels with a LOA of less than 40m and with a LWL of at least 9.14m carrying spinnaker-like sails
- Square rigged vessels (Class A) are defined as
those vessels whose sail plan is ship, barque, barquentine, brig or
brigantine, brig or brigantine
- Traditional rigged vessels (Class B) are defined as those vessels whose sail plan has a predominance of gaff sails
- Modern rigged vessels (Classes C and D) are defined as those vessels whose sail plan has a predominance of Bermudan sails
- Length overall (LOA) is the length between the
forward end of the STEM post and the after end of the STERN post. It
does not include the bowsprit, pulpit or any other extension at the bow
or stern.
