ketch

/kɛtʃ/

Other forms: ketches

A ketch is a sturdy, strong sailboat that has two masts and usually weighs over 100 tons. A ketch is a good sailboat to cruise around on if you’re experienced enough to handle a big boat (or if you know someone who is).

It's more common to sail a ketch in Europe than in the United States, where sailors tend to prefer the schooner. The two boats are similar in size and have two masts, but a ketch has a smaller sail in back. Fans of the ketch describe it as extremely balanced, while critics say a ketch loses power too easily because of that small rear sail. The word was originally spelled "catch," from the Middle English cacchen, for “to capture, chase.”

Definitions of ketch

1. noun

   a sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost
   type of:

   sailing ship, sailing vessel

   a vessel that is powered by the wind; often having several masts