onemasted

Onemasted is a term used in nautical contexts to describe a vessel that carries a single mast. In modern sailing vocabulary, the most common single-mast configuration is a fore-and-aft rig such as a sloop. The term is often written as one-masted in contemporary texts; onemasted appears in older manuals and glossaries as a compound, though usage varies by author and region.

One-masted boats are typically chosen for simplicity and ease of handling, making them popular for beginners, small cruisers, and traditional craft. A single mast reduces rigging complexity, maintenance requirements, and crew needs, but it also limits sail area and can constrain performance in strong winds compared to multi-masted designs. Sail plans on a one-masted vessel can include a mainsail alone or with a headsail, depending on balance and hull form.

Historically, one-masted vessels have included small coastal traders, fishing craft, and certain traditional boats across different cultures. In modern nautical classifications, "one-masted" contrasts with "two-masted" (such as schooners and ketches) and other multi-masted categories. The term appears in ship registries, sailing manuals, and descriptive literature about vessel types.

See also: Mast, Rigging, Sloop, Schooner, Ketch.