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5 Distinctive Features of a Tortola Sloop ~ 1957

Tortola Sloop in the Virgin Islands
Tortola Sloop in St. Thomas

Tortola Sloops

Tortola Sloop, British Virgin Islands
1898

Did you know that the true origins for the design of the Tortola Sloop are a mystery?

According to Professor Edwin Doran’s research, this type of vessel has five distinctive features.

โš“ First, is the absence of a bowsprit.

โš“ Secondly, is the shape of the mainsail.

It was called โ€œLeg of Muttonโ€ which meant that the distance between the height and the length is the same.

This made for a very long boom, which extended way past the stern of the boat.

โš“ย Thirdly, the boat had a very long bow.

Although the mast was set a third of the way along the keel, it gave the impression that it was in the center of the boat.

 

tortola sloop

โš“ย Fourthly, the stern went straight down to the keel with no counter as was found in most sloop designs.

โš“ Finally and probably, the most distinctive feature was called โ€˜Moon Shearโ€™.

The hull, when viewed from bow to stern, had a fatness in the middle which resembled the shape of a full moon.

For further information about these incredible boats, visit this article at BVI Property and Yacht.

 

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