The history of the sail - when and where was the sailboat invented?

Questions, questions, questions...

Unfortunately, to accurately answer the question “Who?” does not seem possible. However, we can still rely on the latest scientific research. Modern archaeologists agree that the first sailing boats appeared about 6,000 years ago.

Over the past six millennia, sailing boats have come a long way in development. The sailboat in the modern sense began its history in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The peak of engineering development occurred in the period after the Second World War. 

Today, sailboats continue their active development and technology does not stand still. It is likely that today's trimarans, giant sailing superyachts and hydrofoils will also occupy an important place in the history of sailing shipbuilding.

The beginning of time

The sailboat itself is one of the oldest forms of watercraft. However, she was not the first. Before that, people actively used boats without masts, rafts, etc. Some of the earliest masted boats were reed boats. 

They appeared in ancient Egypt. When the Egyptians realized what potential the uncomplicated reed boats hide in themselves, they actively began to use harder materials - wood, the so-called. "floating" reed. 

And yet these boats were driven solely by physical force with the help of oars. Another way to move boats was to set them in motion with a long pole from the shore. For almost two thousand years, the Egyptians used primitive methods. But at some point they realized that it was possible to curb the wind.

Conquest of the wind and the beginning of the history of sail

Definitely, historians and archaeologists believe that if not the first, then one of the first sailing boats appeared on the territory of Ancient Egypt. Before the birth of Christ, there were still 4,000 years left, and the Egyptians had already come up with a simple but working rigging scheme. In the middle of the boat they hoisted a vertical beam - a mast - and hung a piece of cloth on it. And so the sail was born.

Almost a thousand years later, this model of boats and ships became widespread throughout Egypt. However, not far off was the massive use of sailing boats, but already in the Mediterranean.

Mediterranean Sea and access to the Atlantic

By 2000 B.C. sailboats have become widespread throughout almost the entire Mediterranean basin. They became larger in size, now they could carry more supplies or weapons. The first important principles of navigation began to appear, people learned to manage the wind. The then shipbuilders strengthened and improved the design of boats. 

Around the same time, the first oceanic routes along the outer borders of Europe began to be established. The peak of fashion of that period is a sailboat equipped with additional oars. If in the past millennia the Egyptians played a key role in the development of shipbuilding, now this role has gone to the Romans.

Roman sailing ships relied more on the use of wind power, although they had places on board for rowers. The Romans traveled long distances mainly under sail.

Vikings and their great legacy

We had about the Vikings a whole separate article. In order not to repeat ourselves, we will only add that the Vikings did not make any fundamental changes to the structure of boats. At the same time, it was they who became the first people in America, actively traveled along the most difficult routes and dangerous waters. 

As for sailing boats, the Vikings used a technology similar to the Romans - for long distances under sail, for shorter distances both oars and sails were used. If the drakkars of the warriors entered the narrow mouths of the rivers, then the control could completely switch to oars.

Interestingly, this idea of managing sailing ships was so successful that no major changes took place until 1400. 

The Age of Great Trade and Discovery

In the period from 1500 to 1700, shipbuilding was actively developing. And that's putting it mildly. It was sailing ships at that time that supplanted any other forms of delivery of food and goods. The British, Spaniards, and Chinese actively used their fleets to build up not only military but also economic power.

The main breakthrough of that period can be considered an increase in the size of ships, as well as an improvement in their running characteristics. Oars increasingly became atavism. Interestingly, several vessels of the 17th-18th centuries have survived to this day. Among them is Vasa, a 17th-century military sailing ship. The only ship that has come down to us in its original form.

Small sailboats

While bulky battleships and maneuverable frigates crossed the oceans in search of new lands, small sailing boats continued their modest service to ordinary people.

Until the 1600s, the design of such boats underwent minimal changes. However, with the development of large merchant and military ships, some of the engineering finds migrated to small sailboats.

Probably the most important change is the transition to the Bermuda bow sail and the phasing out of straight sails. In the years 1600-1700, this change became a real boon for sailors.

Hundreds of years later, this type of sailing rig is still one of the most popular. With a high degree of probability, this type of sail is installed on your boat.

In 1720, the first yacht club appeared. It was founded in Ireland, the city of Cork. It is from this moment that the beginning of the history of amateur sailing is usually counted.

However, as early as the 1650s in England, recreational boating became a popular pastime for the nobility. Swimming up and down the Thames was a custom for royalty. Actually, these same royal persons became the founders of one of the very first regattas.

Modern sailboats

It was in the XIX-XX centuries that the first “modern” boats appeared in terms of design. Many shipbuilders have contributed to this look and style, including Nathaniel Herreshoff. He improved the design of small and medium-sized wooden sailboats.

By the beginning of the 20th century, sailing work boats were gradually becoming a thing of the past. And in general, sailing ships were gradually replaced by steam-powered ships, and ICE-powered ships were just around the corner. 

Sailing boats of small and medium dimensions were increasingly used as boats for recreation and sports. Although some anglers still used sailing yachts, it had already become a lifestyle rather than a real need.

At the same time, full-fledged cabins began to appear below the deck of small sailing boats. The need for a working hold or cargo space also faded into the background.

So, gradually, almost until the Second World War, sailing boats evolved into what we all know well. And although there was still a decent amount of time left before the real “modern” look, the concept was already clearly drawn.

Fiberglass and recent history

“There is no evil without good, and there is no good without evil,” - this is how folk wisdom says. World War II brought an exorbitant amount of suffering and pain, but at the same time - new technological solutions. Among these was fiberglass. It was widely used during the war and many shipbuilders had their eyes on this material.

Indeed, it is light, moderately durable, can replace wood and plywood. Why not make a yacht out of it? Companies such as Catalina emerged at the turn of 1950 and 1960. It was they who gave us the recognizable outlines of the hull and all the main features of the yachts of that time.

Up until the early 1990s, the fiberglass era had begun. Sailing became available to the masses, and majestic sailing giants like the Pamirs finally completed the great history of the merchant sailing fleet. By the way, we talked about the Pamirs in our Telegram channel. We recommend subscribing and not missing important news from the world of yachting!

Now you will not surprise anyone with your own boat of 7-10 meters. These yachts still mostly have Bermuda sails. Hundreds of brands and shipyards produce a huge number of boats a year. 

New boats differ from the yachts of the early 20th century in terms of convenience and less trouble in maintenance. But over the past millennia, the sail has undergone many more changes. One thing has always remained unchanged - the passion of sailors for the sea, adventure and salty wind.

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19.01.2023