The sloop - or sloup - is a type of rigging with a single mast and a single jib . It is the most widely used rig on our modern pleasure yachts. He gradually replaced the cutter ( at least two jibs to discover here ) with the advent of the winch and reel.
Indeed, with these manoeuvring aids, there is no need to split the sail area. As the sail changes have disappeared, there is no need to make them easier by using several small sails.
Sloop: - 1 mainsail - 2 jib or genoa
The sloop has only one mast. If he has 2, then we are in the presence of a ketch, a schooner or a yawl (which some call sloop to tape-cul).
J 109 - a modern sloop with a small genoa
The sloop rig is nowadays the most widely used in the production of modern sailboats. Indeed, with a mainsail that can easily be reduced with reefs, to which is added a jib (often called a genoa because the clew is further back than the mast) often rigged on a furling system, it is the easiest configuration to take to the sea.
Outremer 5X - a sloop-rigged catamaran (you can see its gennaker rolled up at the front)
Attention! A cutter that has rigged only one jib in strong winds, for example, is not a sloop. A cutter remains a cutter, regardless of its sail configuration.
Just as a sloop that rigs a gennaker (downwind sail) over its jib is not a cutter despite the fact that it has 2 headsails. A sloop remains a sloop even if it changes sail configuration.
Maxi 1300 - A modern sloop
