Sailing Ship Types
(click on ships for larger images)
Tall Ship class descriptions

	Fully Rigged Ship has at least three masts, all square-rigged.
	Barque has a minimum of three masts two of which are square-rigged, except the aft (mizzen) which is fore and aft rigged.
	Barquentine has at least three masts, which are all fore and aft rigged, except the foremast which is fully- rigged, including a square forecourse.
	Brig has two masts always, both of which are square-rigged.
	Brigantine - similar to a brig, has two masts, however, the aft mast is fore and aft rigged.
	Schooner - a fore and aft rigged vessel which can have between two and six masts. Schooners rigged with three or more masts have spars and rigging of uniform dimensions and scantlings for all masts, except the main boom of the aftermast which is heavier and longer.
	Topsail Schooner can be distinguished by square sails on the foremast, but differs from the brigantine and barquentine by having a gaft sail aloft the foremast.
	Ketch has two masts, each carrying a gaff-headed or jib-sail. They differ from the two masted schooner in that the larger mast and sail stand foremost, whereas in the schooner the reverse is true. The Mizzenmast is stepped forward of the sternpost.

Class Descriptions

Class A:
Division I - Square rigged vessels (includes Ships, Barques, Barquentines, Brigs and Brigantines) with a length overall greater than 120 feet (36.6m) and all vessels with a L.O.A. greater than 160 feet (48.8m)

Division II -  Square rigged vessels with a length overall less than 120 feet (36.6m).

Class B: Fore and aft rigged vessels of between 160 feet (48.8m) and 100 feet (30.5m) length overall. Fore and aft rigged vessels include Topsail Schooners, Schooners, Ketches, Yawls, Cutters and Sloops.

Class C: All other fore and aft rigged vessels with a minimum water line length of 30 feet (9.14m). This Class is divided into those vessels carrying spinnakers and those not carrying spinnakers.