A tall ship is a large, traditionally-rigged sailing vessel. The term “tall ship” can also be defined more specifically by an organisation, such as for a race or festival.
Tall Ships Australia and New Zealand uses the classifications stipulated by Sail Training International for purposes including defining membership and eligibility for events.
Class A
All square-rigged vessels (barque, barquentine, brig, brigantine or ship rigged) with a length of hull (LOA) of over 24 metres and all other vessel more than 40 metres LOA, regardless of rig.
Class B
Traditionally rigged vessels (ie gaff rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres.
Class C
Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres not carrying spinnaker-like sails.
Class D
Modern rigged vessels (i.e Bermudan rigged sloops, ketches, yawls and schooners) with an LOA of less than 40 metres and with a waterline length (LWL) of at least 9.14 metres carrying spinnaker-like sails.
