Ketch

A ketch carries two masts: a taller mainmast forward and a shorter mizzen stepped ahead of the rudder post, distinguishing it from a yawl whose mizzen sits abaft the post. Splitting the sail plan into smaller sails makes each easier to handle and lets a short-handed crew reduce area by dropping the mizzen or main, which suited the rig to traditional cruising yachts. The trade against a sloop is windward efficiency, as the mizzen sits in the disturbed air off the mainsail.