junk boat vs yacht

The Shipyard

For Those Who Love Ships

• Maritime History

A Design Multiverse

Contrary to popular belief, the term junk does not refer to one specific type of boat. Originating from the Teochew dialect and later picked up by the Portuguese, the word zung simply translates as “ship”. And much like its name, the vessel itself was never limited to a single design. Although the classic silhouette included the iconic bat-wing sails, a flat-bottomed hull with a pronounced curve, and a stern-mounted rudder, junks adopted numerous design variations, depending on period, region, purpose, available materials, and foreign influences.

Perhaps the most visible element of a junk were the battened sails, which opened and closed much like a Chinese fan. Although heavy and cumbersome to raise, these sails lowered and folded within seconds, requiring only a skeleton crew – a stark contrast with Western vessels, where tack-change called for many hands on deck. Fabric sails first appeared as late as the 12 th century, with earlier vessels using bamboo mats instead.

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Unlike other regions in the world, where ship hulls evolved from dug-out boats, naturally adopting keels and pointed sterns, the predominant vessel in early Chinese navigation was the U-bottomed raft. The roots of its characteristic shape stem from the country’s vast and challenging geography – the ancient Chinese first explored the potential of their navigable rivers, later moving to the shallow coastline of the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the East China Sea. Only the highest cargo capacities made such distances economical, while the shallow and silty waterways demanded minimal draft; hence, the curved, flat hull performed equally well on the river and out at sea.

In contrast, the South China Sea was both deeper and more accessible for international trade, leading to the adoption of foreign hull designs, like the tapered bows of dhows and proas . A curious monument of this exchange of ideas were the large eyes, painted onto the bows of imperial junks, much like the ships of Ancient Egypt and Greece. In fact, historians believe this was their precise origin, with Muslim-Arab traders acting as intermediaries between the Mediterranean and the Far East.

Another curious and fascinating feature of the hull was hidden inside – watertight compartments. Yes, the technology that failed the Titanic and saved countless other vessels was devised by the brilliant shipbuilders of the Middle Kingdom, inspired by the inner structure of a bamboo stalk. While European and Arab travelers marveled at this invention in the 15 th century, bulkheads had already been a mainstream feature of Chinese junks for at least a millennium.

But the most revolutionary Chinese innovation was arguably the stern-mounted rudder. This invention steered junks as early as the 1 st century AD, a good thousand years before the invention of its pintle-and-gudgeon European relative. Western shipyards struggled for many years, as the tapered sterns of their vessels made axially mounted steering a challenging task. It was not until the 14 th century and the development of the vertical sternpost, when European navies discarded the side-rudder and sailed out on the open ocean with new vigor.

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The Pinnacle: Junks Go Global

The quintessential Chinese ship reached its Golden Age in the early 15 th century. In a time of global innovation and maritime discovery, the spirit of exploration ignited the ambitions of the early Ming Dynasty. In 1405, the far-sighted Yongle Emperor assigned to his trusted court-eunuch Zheng He a task as grueling as it was glorious – to head a massive naval expedition with the goal to assert Ming dominance over the Indian Ocean trade and establish a transcontinental tributary system, all the way to East Africa.

Described by his contemporaries as “walking like a tiger”, Admiral He sailed from the port of Liujiagang in a fleet that fitted his assertive swagger. Of the 317 junks of Zheng He’s first expedition, the most splendid (and controversial) were the “Treasure Ships”, reported by some sources to have reached 417 feet (127 m) in length. Each of these marvels of pre-modern shipbuilding housed hundreds of passengers, including navigators, doctors, translators, soldiers, and bureaucrats. This first tributary expedition took the magnificent Chinese delegation to Southeast Asia, the Malay Archipelago, India, Arabia, and the Horn of Africa. The Yongle Emperor sponsored seven tributary voyages, for which the Nanjing shipyards churned out two thousand seagoing junks.

Over the six centuries since then, however, the dispute about the size of Zheng He’s junks has been as heated as the praise. Qing-Dynasty historians, who first lauded the astonishing lengths of the Treasure Ships, also reported impressive dimensions for European vessels, which have since then been proven as strongly exaggerated. Western studies thus suspect that the imperial junks measured as little as 230 ft (70 m).

The debate gets even blurrier due to variations in historic Chinese units, like zhang and chi . One chi , for example, could measure anywhere between twenty-five and thirty-five centimeters. Modern Chinese scholars, however, consider the value of a Fujianese chi as the geographically closest to the Ming-Dynasty, arguing that He’s flagship must have been 425 ft (130 m) long, making it the second largest wooden sailing ship in history (after the American schooner Wyoming ).

The Phoenix That Never Rose from the Ashes

Zheng He’s naval triumph was not to last. Toward the end of his reign, the Yongle Emperor deployed much of the country’s resources north of the Great Wall, against the remnants of the fallen Mongol dynasty. This massive land campaign not only put an end to China’s maritime expansion but also contributed to centuries-long isolation, choking international trade, and leading to inevitable naval decline.

Tragically, the Ming never suspected the far-reaching legacy of this isolationism – sealing the empire’s borders strangulated not just the flow of products, but the exchange of ideas. As the Qing Dynasty maintained their own restrictive policy under the Canton System, China remained cut-off from the world in an era of unseen technological progress. By the time the British Navy arrived in the Pearl River Delta to wage the Opium Wars, the mighty Qing empire and its opulent fleet of junks were hopelessly obsolete. By 1875, the Imperial Chinese Navy replaced the last remaining war junks with foreign-built steamships.

Contrary to expectations, the junk survived well into the 20 th century, making a spectacular and gruesome last stand in the 1950 Battle of Hainan Island, where the Red Army deployed 318 ramshackle junks in an epic amphibious assault against Nationalist forces. Imagine a deadlier D-Day, but with wood and sail, rather than steel and diesel!

Across the border in British Hong Kong, numerous junks plied the waterways in and around the colony all the way until the 1970s, when the Tanka (boatpeople) community agreed to scrap their quaint floating homes and dissolve into Hong Kong’s concrete maze.

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• Practical Boat Owner
• Digital edition

Junk boat design explained: How this ancient sailplan still performs well today

• August 10, 2022

In this article from the PBO archives, Vincent Reddish unravels some of the secrets of the junk boat’s enduring popularity in his quest for the optimum sail plan...

Facing retirement with angina and a persistent back injury, I was persuaded by John Campbell’s book Easier Rigs for Safer Cruising that a junk rig would be the thing for my intended new boat, a Vertue; but to gain experience I first decided to convert my existing Leisure 17.

I bought Jock McLeod’s design folios, and in due course Hasler & McLeod’s Tactical Junk Rig Design . This proved an invaluable book; without it I doubt if I could have rigged the sail successfully: it’s a gold-mine of practical information.

Because I wanted to experiment and learn as much as possible about the Chinese sail I decided on an historical approach, and began with the simple rectangular fully battened lugsail, twice as high as it was wide, of the kind used on river junks and sampans and described such detail in Worcester’s The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze .

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I used a very cheap material for the sail, a woven and laminated polyethylene sheet sold as tarpaulins by Bradshaws of York and found it so good that I still use it.

This simple sail, set vertically, is used on river boats to catch light airs coming over the river banks; I found it alright in such conditions but not in strong winds or choppy seas. My Mk 2 was similar but angled forward at the top, giving some improvement.

The Mk 3, a standard Hasler-McLeod design, was much better but suffered from the well known faults described by Hasler: lack of drive to windward especially in choppy seas and light airs, and a reluctance to tack in some conditions making it frequently necessary to wear ship.

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Somewhat disappointed, I was fortunate enough to come across two books which led me to a detailed study of the original rig of the Chinese ocean trading junks: The Last Sailors by Hollander & Mertes, and Setting Sails by Maitland & Wheeler, both of which contain many photographs including some taken in the last century, of such junk boats under sail.

With a long background in scientific research, I found the investigation increasingly absorbing. All the photographs show sails more or less side-on, eleven of which were measured in detail, scaled to similar overall sizes, and averaged.

There were usually five battens, less often six in which case the bottom two were averaged. There was a surprising degree of uniformity about the sails.

The boom and battens were all the same length to within 5% of the average, although the lengths of the battens seemed to decrease slightly upwards, but that may have been partly a perspective effect.

The length of the luff was equal to that of the yard, to within the surprisingly small error of only 8% on average, the ’dispersion’ of the individual sails about the average being less than 25% (that is to say the dimensions of more than two thirds of the individual sails lay between 0.75 and 1.25 of the average dimensions of them all.)

The luff was divided equally among the six panels formed by the five battens, boom and yard, to within the same sort of accuracy. The length of the leech of individual panels, however, increased progressively up the sail, which was fan-shaped.

Again, the dispersion about the average for the panels of the individual sails was only some 25%, the error (or uniformity) in the dimensions of the average sail being less than 10%.

It was apparent that there was some systematic pattern in the planform of the sail but it was some time before the obvious occurred to me; the Chinese who developed this sail would not even have had tape measures let alone digital calculators; what they would have had were lengths of rope which could be doubled or trebled to give simple fractions — ½, ⅓, ¼, ⅙, ⅛, and so on — of some standard length such as the boom.

I converted all the measurements into such fractions of the length of the boom, choosing the simplest fraction that was within the 10% uncertainty; that is to say, all the fractions chosen represent the average sail measurements to within 10%.

Fig. 1: The dimensions we finally adopted.

The result is shown in Fig. 1. and is self-explanatory, if rather remarkable, and merits close study. The luff and the yard are both two-thirds the length of the boom and battens; the length of the leech of the topmost (sixth) panel is half the boom, the next one down, a third, and the remaining four panels decrease by an eighth of that until the leech of the bottom panel is a half that of the fifth.

The total length of the leech is 1¾ times the length of the boom. Other useful features to note are the horizontal distance of the top of the yard from the vertical line of the luff which is a third of the length of the yard; the area of the sail is 10% greater than the square on the boom; the aspect is then 1.1; and on average only 8% of the width of the sail rig forward of the mast, Fig. 1 aiso shows the location of the centre of effort.

Having determined the shape of the Chinese ocean-going junk sail, the question then arose: “how did they make it?* The answer is found briefly but clearly in Worcester’s The Junks and Sampans of the Yangtze , p72.

I can do no better than use Worcester’s own words: “The rough dimensions of the sail having been determined, the yard, boom and battens are laid out on the ground out connected up to the bolt ropes so as to form a frame…

“The sailcloths are then laid over the framework, and the family set to work to join them together in inch-wide seams. Strengthening pieces are affixed where necessary.

“The sail is next sewn to the bolt ropes. Usually the sails are double roped, the sail being sewn to the inner rope, to which the outer one is secured by twine stops at irregular intervals of about 6 inches. The sail is next laced to a bamboo at head and foot, which in turn is lashed to the yard or boom at intervals of about 46 inches.”

My wife and I followed this procedure. The yard and boom (boom length 11½ft) were made from pine to the shapes and sections given by Hasler & McLeod.

The battens were made from 10ft lengths of garden bamboo, strapped together butt ends outward using self-adhesive strapping tape from B&Q (which show no signs of coming apart after a year and a half at sea).

Bolt ropes were 5mm matt polyester. The sail, cut to shape and hemmed round a thinner rope, was made from a Bradshaw’s tarpaulin.

The yard, battens and boom were roped together on the lawn, with dimensions along luff and leech as in Fig. 1. A ‘halyard’ was fastened from the centre of the yard to a stake; a downhaul, fastened one foot from the forward end of the boom, was pulled tight to another stake, so the frame was tightly stretched. The sail was then laced to the frame all round, and along the battens.

This procedure is fundamentally different from that of attaching the battens to the sail as in the Hasler-McLeod westernised junk boat. The framework of the Chinese sail has a certain cohesion — the luff and leech ropes providing some stiffness — so it moves and changes shape as the whole.

The battens don’t shake about loosely, spilling the wind out of the sail in a choppy sea. Look at the photographs in The Last Sailors and in Setting Sail of Chinese junk boats sailing close-hauled.

Clearly, the sails are not flat. The leech is curved giving twist in the sail and curvature to the upper part; the lower battens are flexible, giving curvature there; the individual panels all have some fullness in them.

I sought to achieve the same features. Each batten was made just sufficiently flexible to have a 10% depth of curvature at the maximum load its associated panels would transmit to it at a windspeed which made reefing desirable.

Some fullness was put in each panel by pressing it down into the grass while it was laced to the luff and leech ropes {stretched tight) and to the battens.

This creased the corners of the panels, with no detrimental effect. All the battens were sheeted, with spans across battens 5 and 4, 3 and 2, 1 and the boom. A luff hauling parral was put on the upper four battens, using spans across pairs in the usual Chinese way.

The tapered aluminium mast from Needlespar had been put through a foredeck strengthened with extra GRP, and stepped on the keel. The sail wag positioned so its Centre of Effort would be exactly on the same vertical line as that of the original Bermudian rig.

The result? A transformation in performance. She goes about surely in all winds, and is close winded, making 80 degrees between tacks, although in choppy seas it makes good faster to windward if sailed a bit freer, 50 degrees from the wind; but then so did the Bermudian rig.

The boat is a twin keeler with a 7ft beam and measures only 14ft on the waterline. I sailed several hundred miles with this rig in the late summer of 1989 (the whole project only began in May) in winds varying from the lightest airs to the top of Force 6 gusting 7, by which time I was down to two panels and still thrashing fast to windward in great clouds of spray. In all respects it outperforms the original Bermudian rig.

In this happy condition I ordered my Vertue from Bossom’s Boatyard at Oxford. It was delivered on 5th September, with a mast from Needlespar. The foredeck had been strengthened by the builders and a pilothouse built over the forward end of the cockpit. My wife again helped me to make the sail and rigging on the lawn.

In this case the length of the boom was 17ft (5.2m), the sail area 320ft2 (30m2). Installation of the deck partners and mast step, mast, sail and rigging, anchor, chain and windlass, seacocks and Lavac WC, and Seagull 170 outboard with remote control (no inboard engine), together with various odds and ends, were completed ten days later and the boat launched on the 19th September at Renfrew.

She was motored down the Clyde and sail was hoisted off Dumbarton with feelings of hope and trepidation; as usual I was singlehanded. This sail had also been positioned so the Centre of Effort would be on the same vertical line as the sailplan of the Bermudian rig originally designed for the Vertue by Laurent Giles and Partners.

In head minds rising from Force 4 to Force 6 (and continuous torrents of rain which made me thankful for the pilothouse) she tacked surely along the narrow buoyed channel, sailing fast close hauled in breaking seas, making 80° between tacks and was so well balanced on the helm that the boat would sail to windward without a hand on the tiller.

Fig. 2: The finished result

Later experience, in a variety of wind strengths and on all points of sailing, has confirmed the rig’a excellent behaviour. Fig. 2 is a photograph taken abeam, showing the planform of the sail.

In his book Sailing Theory and Practice , C. A. Marchaj writes, on p100: ”The rigging… in the original Chinese version could be used to adjust the camber of the sail within wide limits”, and on pp.107 to 116 draws attention to the need for sail twist.

In his Aero-Hydrodynamics of Sailing , p429, writing again about the Chinese rig, he notes that “in one respect the junk type rig is remarkable. This is the sheeting arrangement… an independent sail shape and sail incidence control system… Such an arrangement permits accurate changes in camber and sail twist independently of changes in incidence angles.”

The photographs of the old Chinese junk boats in the books referred to above, and of my own Vertue, show these possibilities clearly. Separate mainsheets for the upper and lower part of my sail may be worth trying too.

Some of my results complement those in the fascinating article by Group Captain Smith in Newsletter 20 of the Junk Rig Association . One last bit of useful information: bales of bamboo in long lengths can be obtained from Jacobs, Young & Westbury Ltd .

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This feature appeared in the January 1992 edition of Practical Boat Owner . For more articles like this, including DIY, money-saving advice, great boat projects, expert tips and ways to improve your boat’s performance, take out a magazine subscription to Britain’s best-selling boating magazine.

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The pros and cons of junk rig

Generally thought to be the preserve of cranks, junk rig has some great qualities, and should not be overlooked

Junk rig is thought to date back to about 300AD, when it propelled Chinese craft with sails of woven bamboo fortified by battens of bamboo or pine. It has been in use in China ever since, although it has also been appreciated by yachtsmen over the years, not least Joshua Slocum, who chose a three-masted junk rig for his 35ft (11m) ‘canoe’ Liberdade, in which he sailed 5,500 miles in 1888. Slocum considered it “the most convenient boat rig in the entire world”. The real champion in the western world, however, was Blondie Hasler, who commissioned the heavily-modified, junk-rigged Nordic Folkboat Jester in 1953 and sailed her in the first OSTAR in 1960. Other notable junk rig sailors have included Bill King (Galway Blazer) and the ascetic Roger Taylor, who sails his junk-rigged Corribee Mingming to extreme northern latitudes. It’s also known as ‘Chinese lug rig’ and generally thought to be the preserve of cranks. It is, in fact, a singular rig with great qualities, particularly to the short-handed cruising sailor, and is overlooked only by the ignorant. The ‘bible’ on the subject is Practical Junk Rig by HG Hasler and JK McLeod.

1          Very easy raising, lowering and reefing

2          Soft gybing due to the sail area before the mast

3          No flogging as the sail is rigid

4          No standing rigging, meaning no whistling in the shrouds, and greater simplicity

5          Great all-round visibility

6          Good ability off the wind or before it without need of extra downwind sails

1          More expensive and complex to build/retrofit

2          Not great to windward in light airs

3          To some, the unusual appearance

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The Ages of Exploration

Quick Facts:

Besides having a cool name, the sturdy, lightweight junk is known for being the first ship to feature a rudder mounted on its stern for steering. The Chinese junk ship was among the most powerful and easily navigable ships in the ancient world.

Date : 2800 BCE – Present day

Chinese junk 1804

A Chinese junk depicted in Travels in China: containing descriptions, observations, and comparisons, made and collected in the course of a short residence at the Imperial palace of Yuen-Min-Yuen, and on a subsequent journey through the country from Pekin to Canton, page 59 by John Barrow. {{PD-Art|1804}}

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The Chinese and other Asian cultures have used the junk ship for millennia. The first known reference to ships like the junk was around 2800 BCE under the Chinese emperor Fu Hsi. Junks had many uses in ancient Chinese culture, including fishing, transportation, trading, warfare and the exploration of Southeast Asia. Along with its innovative rudder steering system, junks were built to withstand rough seas, to be easy to maneuver, and to move quickly. The strong build of these ships allowed Chinese explorers to venture far and wide. Ancient Chinese coins have been found in India and even the eastern shores of Africa! Evidence of junks have been recorded in the writings of Muslims on the Euphrates River in the 7 th century CE, and fleets of junk ships were recorded by Marco Polo in the 13 th century. When Marco Polo wrote about these ships, most were quite large, with 50 to 60 cabins onboard. By the 15th century, however, junks had become colossal in size! These massive, well-built ships were said to be 400 feet long and 160 feet wide (that’s 40 stories from bow to stern and 16 stories from starboard to port)!

One of the unique features of the junks were the shape of their sails, which were very different from those of Western ships. Chinese junks were not square-rigged; they had elliptical, curved sails, which were reinforced with inner bars made of bamboo. Because the bamboo kept the sails strong, less rigging was needed. It also prevented the sails themselves from fraying and rotting as quickly as they otherwise would have.

The ingenuity and strength of these ships have allowed them to continue to be used today. Some junks are used for tourism; however there are still junks that are used for fishing and trade in the coastal waters and rivers of China, Japan, and Indonesia. Although the typical junk has shrunk in size from 400 feet to about 70 feet, they are still large enough for some families to live in them.

Waldman, Carl, and Alan Wexler. Encyclopedia of Exploration, Vol. 1-2. New York: Facts On File, 2004.

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Hidden Hong Kong: A history of Hong Kong’s junk boats

Header image courtesy of @chopsticksontheloose (via Instagram)

One of Hong Kong’s most iconic sights is of an old-school, wooden boat sailing serenely in Victoria Harbour with the cityscape in the background, sunlight glowing gorgeously through its bright red sails. This is a junk boat, but not the kind that you would hire in the summer to get tanned and drunk on! 

Such boats have long been a part of the city—in fact, it is so representative that the Hong Kong Tourism Board has a red junk boat as its logo—but there are not many left puttering about the harbour now. Here is a brief history of these beautiful vessels, which are so emblematic of Hong Kong that they deserve to be remembered.

A brief history

A junk boat is a Chinese sailing ship that has fully battened sails, meaning that there are several horizontal poles spanning the full width of the sail, as opposed to the Bermuda rig, which is more commonly seen on Western sailboats. 

Historians believe that junk boats date back to the Han dynasty, inspired by Austronesian ship designs, though these were not true ocean-voyaging vessels until the tenth century when China used them for naval trading. Flat-bottomed riverboats evolved into Northern Chinese junks, which had flat bottoms, no keel, and no frame, whereas sea-faring Austronesian-inspired boats became Southern Chinese junks, which are V-shaped, with a keel, and a double-ended hull.

A Chinese junk comes in the form of various types of coastal or river vessels, though they were usually cargo ships, pleasure boats, or houseboats. A junk can be further categorised as a catboat (with a single mast and sail), a yawl (with a mainmast and a much smaller mizzen mast), or several other types, depending on the configuration of its sailing rigs. The ones that we’re used to seeing in photos of Hong Kong junks is the ship rig, which consists of three masts and is the configuration used on the largest sailing crafts.

The peak of junk boats

It was during the Song dynasty in the tenth century that Chinese junks came into their own, adopting the Malaysian junk sail and becoming the backbone of the military and mercantile fleets of the Song and Yuan dynasties. 

The largest junks were said to be able to carry 500 to 600 men, and their sizes were documented and corroborated by travellers such as Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta. But the largest junk ships ever built were said to be Admiral Zheng He’s treasure ships, used during expeditions in the Indian Ocean during the Ming dynasty in the fifteenth century. According to British sinologist and historian Joseph Needham, the biggest of these junks measured a whopping 440 feet by 180 feet, though other historians and engineers have expressed doubts that such dimensions were even feasible.

During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Chinese junks were mostly used for trade, especially in voyages to Japan and Southeast Asian countries. A large junk named the Keying sailed from China to the United States and England via the Cape of Good Hope between 1846 to 1848, berthing on the River Thames and entrancing the British public, including Charles Dickens. 

Junks began entering western waters more frequently in the eighteenth century, and those equipped with naval weapons were called armed junks. In the First and Second Opium Wars, Western forces fought several naval battles with such armed junks.

The interesting name it is most known by had most likely evolved from the Dutch “jonk” or the Spanish and Portuguese “junco,” which were both terms used during the colonial period to refer to any medium- to large-sized ship, regardless of whether or not they had the junk rig that is so immediately recognisable.

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In Hong Kong, traditional Chinese junks were never involved in anything as dramatic as warfare, and were mostly just used for fishing or transport. Most of Hong Kong’s early residents were either Cantonese and Hakka, who led lives on land, or Tanka , a seafaring folk whose livelihoods depend on the sea. The latter group of people lived in junk boats on the water, with the colours of the sails supposedly denoting the family’s wealth—red, as one might imagine of the auspicious Chinese colour, signified the wealthiest boat people.

According to a report issued in 1729, it seems there was a fair bit of discrimination going on between the landlubbers and sea-dwellers, as the Hakka people didn’t like the Tanka settling on-shore, the Tanka for the most part simply chose not to interact much the others, and the ethnic groups did not intermarry. 

As Hong Kong developed, the water and fishing grounds nearby were increasingly reclaimed or polluted, and the Tanka—many of whom only owned small junks which cannot go too far out to sea—ended up clustered in bays, gathering into floating villages. Some of these floating village settlements were situated in Aberdeen , Cheung Chau , Tai O , Shau Kei Wan, and several other seaside locations. Nevertheless, these ethnic groups were all considered Hongkongers, and eventually ended up mixing over the years.

Up until the 1960s and 1970s, junks were still very commonly seen in Victoria Harbour, though they slowly began being phased out by faster modes of transport. From the 1970s onwards, Tanka people began choosing to give up their junk boat homes in favour of apartments in housing estates and more reliable income. 

These days, only small pockets of local waters still have Tanka people living on their houseboats. The typhoon shelter in between Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau is one such community, though visitors would be hard-pressed to find an authentic junk boat still present. Without the popularised concept of sailing as a pastime in Hong Kong, junks ended up getting lost at sea in our treacherously modernised waters.

Our last authentic junk

It is likely that the Dukling is Hong Kong’s last authentic junk boat, and certainly the only one that is available for the public to board and experience—there are others that look like traditional junks such as the Aqua Luna , but these are actually replica boats. 

The Dukling was built in 1955, a traditional three-mast, wooden Chinese junk measuring 18 metres and weighing 50 tonnes. It used to be the home of a Tanka fisherman who lived on the boat with his family and, after passing through three owners, has been used as a vessel for tours along Victoria Harbour since the 1980s.

Known as the “鴨靈號” (aap3 ling4 hou6) in Cantonese, its Chinese name roughly translates to “the Blessed Duck,” so its current owner dubbed it the Dukling in a play on words. On-board this boat, there is also a statue of the sea goddess Mazu , who the crew still pray to in hopes of safe voyages. Its wheel is still the original artefact and is apparently so heavy that the crew only steer the boat in two-hour slots.

The Dukling has been catering mainly to tourists with English tours over the years, but with the coronavirus pandemic putting a stopper in foreign travel, they have had to switch up strategies to preserve at least some business—they now offer more tours in Cantonese and sail to more remote locations in the territories to pique the interest of local Hong Kong residents.

As mentioned above, there are also modern junks for those who wish to experience what being on a traditional boat is like. The Aqua Luna is also known as the “ 張保仔” (zoeng1 bou2 zai2) in Cantonese, named after Cheung Po Tsai , the famous Hong Kong pirate of the nineteenth century. This can give visitors a glimpse of voyaging on a three-sail junk, but they are purely for decoration as the boat itself is motorised. 

There is also the Aqua Luna II , which is newer, bigger, and boasts blue and white sails with an imperial dragon motif instead of the distinctive red. Under the supervision of one of Hong Kong’s master shipwrights, the Aqua Luna II was impressively built without a single nail.

We’d obviously recommend going for a cruise on the Dukling for an OG junk experience as this is the last remaining real McCoy, but if you’d prefer a newer ride along Hong Kong’s waters in a vessel that pays tribute to the originals, then the Aqua Luna  will also make for very stylish sailing. Either way, enjoy the fact that you’re traversing the waters on a vessel that epitomises the culture of an entire group of ethnic Hong Kong people!

Catharina Cheung

Catharina has recently returned to her hometown of Hong Kong after spending her formative years in Singapore and the UK. She enjoys scouring the city for under-the-radar things to do, see, and eat, and is committed to finding the perfect foundation that will withstand Hong Kong’s heat. She is also an aspiring polyglot, a firm advocate for feminist and LGBTQIA+ issues, and a huge lover of animals. You can find her belting out show-tunes in karaoke, or in bookstores adding new tomes to her ever-growing collection.

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The Story of Hong Kong’s Iconic Aqua Luna Red-Sail Junk Boats

Much like Hong Kong ’s iconic skyline and neon-lit streets, the red-sail Chinese junk boats, otherwise known as Aqua Luna, have become recognisable symbols of the city. They say that you haven’t really experienced Hong Kong unless you’ve sailed in one.

There are few better ways to see Hong Kong than from one of its red-sail Aqua Luna boats. Cruising around the harbour and taking in the sights is a wonderfully relaxing way to see the city. Fortunately, there are a variety of harbour tours and cruises that make it a worthwhile activity during the day or in the evenings when the city is illuminated.

The modern Aqua Luna is based on ancient Chinese sailing ships, known as junks, that were first used as seagoing vessels during the Song Dynasty (960–1279). They soon evolved and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. However, over the years, the number of junk boats in Chinese waters started to dwindle, and so the Aqua Luna was introduced in 2006 to try and preserve a dying art.

“Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour was once filled with glorious red sail Chinese junk boats, however over the years they have disappeared one by one,” says David Yeo, founder of Aqua Luna in a press release. “What better way to raise the spirits of the city than to recreate such a visually stunning and a quintessentially Hong Kong icon.”

Under the supervision of a 73-year-old shipbuilder, it took a local craftsman 18 months to construct the Aqua Luna with traditional methods. In Hong Kong’s local Cantonese language, the ship is known as Cheung Po Tsai, and was named after a Hong Kong pirate from the 19th century. Today, the Aqua Luna is more popular than ever with locals and visitors. The boats are instantly identified by their striking red sails.

The Aqua Luna has two decks: an open-air deck with loungers upstairs, and a covered space with glass windows downstairs.

The ship can accommodate up to 80 passengers in addition to the crew. It is 28 metres (92 ft) long and has three trademark red sails. However, these days, the sails are purely for decoration, as the boat is motorised.

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A second version of the iconic sailboat, Aqua Luna II, was introduced in April 2017. In addition to being slightly bigger, the new rendition swaps the original’s red sails for blue-and-white sails that are beautifully adorned with Chinese imperial-style dragons.

Aqua Luna II is mainly constructed from wood and bamboo and lacks even a single nail. Its construction was overseen by master craftsman Sifu Au, an 86-year-old shipwright who has built more wooden boats than anyone else in Hong Kong.

Few sights have become more quintessentially symbolic of Hong Kong than the Aqua Luna sailing up and down the harbour. If you’re visiting, be sure to check out the range of Aqua Luna harbour tours and cruises , which are among the best ways to see the city. Opt for the sunset cruise when the whole experience is very beautiful.

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Best halong bay junk boats.

Discover the beauty of Halong bay while enjoying the comfort and elegance of these classic wooden vessels.

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Overview of junk boats.

Junk boats are traditional wooden vessels that incorporate century-old elements of ancient boats in Southeast Asia, typically in Vietnam. Most traditional junks came into operation between 2007 and 2019 and while there have been limited options for new boats and modern cruises added every year.

These cruises are small and not as well-appointed as steel boats. Yet, you can still expect comfortable cabins, a wealth of must-try activities, and good safety standards. They are characterized by  distinctive wooden design with curved sails, intricate detailing, and timeless Oriental charm.

In fact, the bay, at the present time, is overwhelmed with high-end steel-hulled vessels and luxurious yachts; thus, seeking a good overnight junk boat is a quite daunting task. Those who are keen on larger cruises with a modern flair would overlook the enduring charm of these traditional boats. However, if you expect the most authentic cruise experience on Halong Bay, opting for the cruise remains the ultimate choice.

• Why to choose this cruise type

Choosing a junk boat brings a unique and unforgettable cruise experience for you to fully admire the natural beauty and cultural richness of Halong bay.

• Abundance of must-try activities: Embarking on the cruise allows you to ultimately soak up the mesmerizing scenery of floating villages and participate in typical activities such as cave exploration, swimming, fishing, and mountain climbing.
• Cultural immersion: There is a blend of decent amenities and traditional design on the cruise. You have an opportunity to enjoy the charm of Vietnamese craftsmanship and hospitality while onboard.
• A variety of itineraries: While upscale and newly launched vessels tend to exploit Halong bay and Lan Ha bay, wooden junks focus on itineraries to Halong bay and Bai Tu Long bay with classic and off-the-beaten-track excursions. The classic itineraries to Halong bay are suitable for first-time visitors with notable attractions like Titop island, Luon cave, and Sung Sot cave. Meanwhile, journeys to Bai Tu Long bay are best suited for those seeking the unspoiled beauty of remote areas such as Vung Vieng fishing village, Thien Canh Son cave, and Cong Do area.
• Authentic Vietnamese cuisine: You will be mainly served Vietnamese food, local specialties, fresh seafood, and several international dishes. Some cruises also offer cooking classes to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine.
• Good value for money: Most  cruises are budget-friendly with 3 to 4-star service standards. The prices are reasonable from only 126 USD/per pax for a 2D1n trip. Regarding higher class, it can cost 175-350 USD/per pax/one night.

Popular junk boats in Halong bay

• Orchid Classic Cruise

It is proud of being a high-class junk  on Halong Bay with classic Indochine architecture combined with all-wooden interiors. The cruise comprises 14 spacious suites with private balconies and sitting areas. There are an outdoor Jacuzzi on the sundeck, an intimate dining area, and a spa with a sauna and Jacuzzi for your utmost relaxation. Orchi Classic cruise promises an extraordinary cruising experience exploring Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.

• Price range: From 350 USD/per room/per night
• Dragon’s Pearl Junk

Belonging to the Indochina Junk family, the cruise is modeled after the traditional Indochine junk with a total of 10 cabins across 3 decks. Staterooms are tastefully decorated in a traditional style and fitted with high-quality facilities. The dining room both indoor and outdoor enables you to savor tasty meals and enjoy the scenery. Noticeably, Dragon’s Pearl Junk offers off-the-beaten-track itineraries to Bai Tu Long Bay with a number of interesting activities.

• Price range: From 184 USD/per room/per night

• Paradise Sails

The cruise offers a perfect mix of chic, modern styling, and traditional Vietnamese detailing. You’ll be impressed by the warm, classic interior with luxurious cabins and wooden furnishings. In an intimate dining room, you are served a Vietnamese royal-like menu and a wide range of beverages. The cruise provides well-researched itineraries to discover the best parts of Halong Bay, stopping over Sung Sot Cave, Luon Cave, and Titop Island. After a day of exploration, you can get rejuvenation in the luxurious spa with excellent massages and spa treatments.

Price range: From 294 USD/per room/per night

Questions and Answers (0)

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Frequently asked questions

1. what are the best junk cruises in the bay.

Some of the best cruises include L’Amour Junk, Dragon Legend cruise, Prince Junk, Dragon’s Pearl Junk, and Indochina Junk.

2. How much does it cost for a night on the boat?

The prices vary depending on the quality of the cruise. While a 3-star cruise costs only around 125 USD/per room/per night, a 5-star cruise can cost up to 400 USD/per room/per night.

3. Do these boats have the same itineraries as others?

Yes. Most cruises still provide common itineraries and activities as other steel cruises. You can visit Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay, Bai Tu Long Bay and engage in kayaking, swimming, and caving, to name a few.

4. Can I charter a private junk?

Yes. Some cruise lines such as L’Amour Junk, Valentine Premium Private Junk, Legend Halong private boat, and Prince Junk offer charter service for a more personalized and exclusive experience.

5. How do I book the cruise?

You can book through travel agencies, tour operators, online booking platforms, and cruise websites. You should contact the agency and book in advance, especially during the peak seasons.

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Your Ultimate Junk Boat Guide: All-Inclusive Packages In Hong Kong

What’s hong kong summer without a junk boat party if you’re looking for a boat rental with all-inclusive junk packages, and also want to know what to expect on your first junk, read ahead.

Whether you’re new to Hong Kong or have had your fair share of time at the Fragrant Harbour, crashing a junk boat party definitely needs to be ticked off your Hong Kong bucket list . Having said that, organising your own junk isn’t that simple – from deciding which junk company to book with, when to go, junk catering , water sports packages and more, the choices can be overwhelming . To ensure smooth sailing in the planning process, we’ve put together a junk boat guide with our pick of some of the best boat rental companies. Plus, keep scrolling for need-to-know tips on when , where and what to bring on your next junk boat, especially if it’s your first Hong Kong junk!

Read More: Junk Catering Hong Kong – The Best Catering Companies For Your Junk Boat Party

Yacht Holimood – Book the Hero Series for all the extra perks!

Some prefer a mellow squid fishing trip at night whereas some want to go all out and hire a luxury yacht that covers all the bases. As a Sassy tried-and-tested service, we can vouch for Holimood ‘s  timely responses and fuss-free bookings . Select one of the 15 yachts from the “Hero Series” for the ultimate all-inclusive party package (including water sports, drinks and catering!) and choose your route and destination points. Plus, there are monthly discounts on selected boats, costing as little as $399 per person for rentals and you can redeem free wakesurfing classes and other prizes! You can book it all through Holimood and earn rewards through each booking !

Yacht Holimood , Workshop 1, 9/F, Gravity, 29 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, WhatsApp:  5403 9901 , Facebook:  Holimood Yacht , Instagram:  @yachtholimood ,  yacht.holimood.com

Hong Kong Junks – Boat-only hire and full-service packages

Hong Kong Junks knows that it’s really the people and atmosphere that make a memorable junk boat experience. So grab your crew and the team will take care of the rest ! And whether you opt for a full-service package – complete with gourmet delights and a self-service bar offering unlimited premium drinks with a waiter on board to take care of your needs – or boat-only hire, the team will ensure you’re in for a good time. On top of partnering with great sustainable brands, we love that Hong Kong Junks does its part to keep the seas clean with its plastic-free policy.

Hong Kong Junks , Room A-C, 15/F, Commercial Building, 28-34 Wing Lok Street, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, 5944 3331 , Facebook: Hong Kong Junk , Instagram: @hongkongjunks , www.hongkongjunks.com.hk

Breakaway Yachting – Luxury yacht charter experience with a wide range of packages

Breakaway Yachting promises to deliver an experience like none other. Hire an all-inclusive motor yacht (which covers breakfast with coffee, lunch and a seafood dinner , plus snacks and drinks throughout the day) and customise your boat trip around your favourite Hong Kong islands . There are some fun packages to pick from aside from a full “Day at the Sea”, including “Omakase at Sea” with a chef making sushi by your table, “Brunch/Afternoon Tea” with sparkling wine included, a “Romantic Boat Trip For 2” and more!

Breakaway Yachting , Kwun Hoi Path, Aberdeen, Hong Kong, 6180 5059 , Facebook: Breakaway HK , Instagram: @breakaway_hk ,   breakawayhk.com

Read More: Things To Do – Your Ultimate Hong Kong Bucket List

Asia Boating – All-inclusive and affordable junk boat packages

From classic teak junks to luxury cruisers and yachts, the ultimate party at sea awaits with Asia Boating . Forget about carrying cratefuls of beers, its all-inclusive packages come with free-flow drinks and food (from $680 per person for junks and $980 per person for yachts). You can also explore packages that come with water slides, speedboats, flyboards and, if you’re feeling fancy, a Thai massage to loosen up! Overall, your junk party with Asia Boating is customisable and can suit different needs – check out the complete list of packages on its website .

Asia Boating,   6376 1012 , Facebook:  Hong Kong Asia Boating , Instagram:  @hkasiaboating , hk-asiaboating.com  

Entourage – Bespoke junk boat packages with a bar on-board!

Accommodating up to 50 people for any occasion – from birthday celebrations, wellness retreats, corporate events, weddings and more – and including a live DJ and inflatable swimming pool, Entourage has customisable junk packages to suit your needs. Check out what happened when Team Sassy hopped aboard for a day. Onboarding is at Aberdeen Pier.

Entourage , www.entourage.hk

Read More: 5 Tips To Take Your Junk Boat Party To The Next Level

The Backyard Houseboat – Luxury yacht charters and houseboats for a unique staycation!

The expansive, impressive and luxurious Romantica yacht promises the ultimate relaxation at sea. Accommodating up to 45 people, the top-notch amenities include three bedrooms, three bathrooms, an outdoor deck as well as water sports, karaoke, Netflix and mahjong . You can customise packages according to your needs be it on-board dining and free flow or celebrating special occasions and booking for weddings. What’s more, you can keep the party going by booking an overnight charter for a staycation unlike any other!

The Backyard Houseboat , WhatsApp: 5613 1818 , www.thebackyardhouseboat.com

Hello Hong Kong – Boat hire for half-day, full day and overnight sails

Equipped with a karaoke system (we had to mention that first!) and with food and beverage packages available, Hello Hong Kong offers junk boat rentals as well as exclusive sailing experiences. If you’re looking to pop the question , book a three-hour romantic evening dinner cruise and it’ll be a proposal for the books!

Hello Hong Kong , Aberdeen, Hong Kong,  www.hellohongkong.com.hk

Read More:   8 Places To Go Kayaking In Hong Kong

Hong Kong Yachting – Junk boats, sailing yachts and luxury cruises

With over 80 different boats to choose from and about 10 different packages , Hong Kong Yachting is a go-to option for a seamless party at sea with two spacious yachts and waiters on board to take care of your needs. All-inclusive packages like the Ultimate Junk Boat Package (priced at $890 per head) includes breakfast, lunch, dessert and afternoon tea, as well as inflatable slides, sea pool, bean bags and a trampoline. Plus, the packages just introduced spas so you’re in for a treat!

Hong Kong Yachting , 2504 Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong, 2526 0151 , hongkongyachting.com

Float Hong Kong – A massive 3,000 sq. ft boat for occasions and large crowds

From an alfresco bar serving classic cocktails to a “lawn” for lounging and meticulously designed architecture , nothing quite says upscale junk party like Float. Accommodating up to 50 people and decked with a function room, fine dining and live DJ, Float has become a popular option for those seeking an alternate wedding venue in Hong Kong .

Float Hong Kong , WhatsApp 9172 6164 for bookings and enquiries, Instagram: @floathongkong

Read More: 15 Alternative Wedding Venues In Hong Kong

Charter Junks Hong Kong – All-inclusive junks perfect for corporate junk parties

Poppy and Kitty (the boat names!) are the gals to look for if you want an authentic Hong Kong junk experience. Both boats can host up to 32 people and each come with a range of water sports and high quality sound systems. For a fuss-free junk hire, look to its all-inclusive package that comes with free flow drinks and catering .

Onboarding can be at Central, Tsim Sha Tsui, Causeway Bay or Aberdeen.

Charter Junks Hong Kong , 5431 8894 , www.charterjunkshk.com

SEA-E-O Boating – Luxury cruises and junk boat rental with squid fishing options available

Departing from either Central or Sai Kung, SEA-E-O offers packages for day and evening charters, birthdays , proposals , weddings and more. Its Infinity Yacht is floating luxury, sleekly designed with a bar table, karaoke system and bean bags , but if that’s too pricy for you, you can always opt for the Inspiration Junk Package that comes with food and beer.

How much: Starting at $850 per person for an all-inclusive junk boat package.

SEA-E-O Boating , WhatsApp: 5489 4061 , www.sea-e-o.hk

Read More: Where To Celebrate Your Birthday In Hong Kong – Top 12 Birthday Party Ideas

Aqua Luna – An iconic Hong Kong junk with good food guaranteed

This iconic red-sailed junk offers 45-minute harbour trips plus longer day cruises around Stanley and other parts of Hong Kong. And since it’s run by the Aqua restaurant group, you can even book an evening cruise followed by dinner at Hutong, or a day-time dim sum cruise with gourmet delights on offer from Dim Sum Library .

Do note that these are public hires, for private rentals (of up to 80 people) , reach #to 2116 8821 .

Aqua Luna ,  2116 8821 , www.aqualuna.com.hk

Tips For Your Hong Kong Junk Boat Party

Best months to go on a junk boat.

Depending on what kind of experience you’re after, you can either head out on a day trip to one of Hong Kong’s many beaches , or you can hire a junk boat in the evening for a more dressy night . Both are great, but day junks are generally better value-for-money as they last longer ( seven hours instead of four ).

Junk boats get snapped up fast, so try your best to book at least one month in advance . Peak junk season typically lasts from around May to September, so if you’d like to hire a boat for the summer, it’s time to get planning!

Read More: What To Know About Reef-Safe Sunscreen & Where To Buy It In Hong Kong

Some Good Destinations For Junk Boat Trips

There are various locations that junks depart from, including Central, Causeway Bay, Aberdeen and Sai Kung. You can usually request your stopping place , but it depends on the junk company and the captain ( not to mention the unpredictable Hong Kong weather! ) as to where you end up.

However, if you do get a say in your final destination, we recommend Lamma for some tasty seafood or Deep Water Bay to sunbathe by the shore . Sai Kung , Clearwater Bay, Turtle Cove and Stanley Bay are also excellent options.

What To Bring On A Junk Boat

• A change of clothes
• Seasickness tablets (if necessary)
• A floaty/noodle/lilo
• If you’re picky, your own shampoo and toiletries for the end of the day
• If you’re bringing your own food, make sure it is actually on board before you set sail
• A camera or phone to take photos
• A “dry-bag” can definitely come in handy, making sure your valuables don’t get splashed with seawater!

Read More: Where To Buy Women’s Swimwear In Hong Kong

Editor’s Note: “Your Ultimate Junk Boat Guide: All-Inclusive Packages In Hong Kong” was most recently updated in May 2024 by Fashila Kanakka.

This article contains editorial selections and paid partnerships.

Main image courtesy of The Backyard Houseboat, image 1 courtesy of Yacht Holimood, image 2 courtesy of Hong Kong Junks, image 3 courtesy of Breakaway Yachting, image 4 courtesy of Asia Boating, image 5 courtesy of Sassy Media Group, image 6 courtesy of The Backyard Houseboat, image 7 courtesy of Hello Hong Kong , image 8 courtesy of Hong Kong Yachting, image 9 courtesy of Float Hong Kong, image 10 courtesy of Charter Junks Hong Kong, image 11 courtesy of SEA-E-O Boating, image 12 courtesy of Jess Loiterton via Pexels , image 13 courtesy of Vicko Mozara via Unsplash .

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> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 26-12-2014, 17:46   Boat: Clipper Mk II , 17 ft fractional rigged sloop what would you do with this ?? 26-12-2014, 18:05   Boat: Currently Shopping, & Heavily in LUST! one's flying at any given time. Plus the loads on everything are FAR lower than on pretty much anything. Their biggest drawback(s) are that they tend to be slower, regardless of what kind of they're on/in. And they're not as close winded as many other types of rigs. That said, my neighbor on the moorings, had a Colvin Gazelle, & sailed it all over the world, with & without her other half. They're nice, practical & comfortable designs. Annie Hill also sings their praises in her book which is worth the read, whether or not you are curious about junk rigged vessels. I think that there's a Junk Rigged Association, if you're curious to pursue it further. Plus of course on the topic. And blogs of rigged thusly. The one which comes to mind is about/by the S/v Willow. Quite honestly, they're very tempting to me. The only catch being, is that I've gotten spoiled, speed wise, after many decades of some of the top out there. But who knows, maybe I'll "convert". I surely did like my neighbor's Gazelle, & it was amazingly light & , given that it was . Primo layout, , & room for carrying too. Truly a voyaging boat. Hope that helps. The Uncommon Thing, The Hard Thing, The Important Thing (in Life) Making Promises to Yourself, And 26-12-2014, 18:39   Boat: Clipper Mk II , 17 ft fractional rigged sloop 26-12-2014, 19:25   Boat: Now we need to get her to Louisiana !! she's ours is the only way to go !! As far as speed go's we seemed to make as good or faster passages than the other boats we met along the way! The ease of sail handleing makes it worthwhile !! raise, shorten, trim, all simple and easy to do even for small folks!! ( like Connie and our girls lol) And Ive never seen where trying to beat into a is better then sailing a tack or to to cover the same distance ! but then Im never in a hurry !! just my 2 cents 26-12-2014, 20:38   too. I found their comments on their experience with the rig interesting. I will post a few quote clips here below, but recommend you see their site as they have very nice photos and content on their boat and travels. -------- Teleport Because they are awesome! "Sail enthusiasts all over the world are showing an increasing interest in the Chinese, or 'junk', rig. This is because the rig is incomparably safe (no required), seamanlike, and easy to handle. It is particularly suitable for small boats and for short-handed or sailing, in open and in unpredictable conditions." (From 'Practical Junk Rig'). While only tacking through 90deg, when hard into the the optimum sheeting angle leaves a junk rig's sail further out, resulting in the yacht not being blown downwind so much and thus, over the long haul, we can track with less leeway than a conventional rig to windward, and as mentioned above, a junk is actually far superior to conventional rigs at reaching and running due to her large sail area and unrestricted boom positioning (we can set the boom & sail out at 90deg!). Apart from the fan-shaped sail, the other interesting thing about a junk-rig is that the is free standing - it does not have any rigging! Pretty cool hey! And as far as junk rig's go, the 'North Atlantic 29' is the ultimate - it has a real pedigree! Read on... ....back in the 60's, when sailor 'Blondie' Hasler challenged Sir Francis Chichester to the first ever 'Observer Single-handed TransAtlantic Race' (OSTAR). Blondie converted his little yacht - a called Jester – into to a , which proved amazingly easy and safe to handle. Jester famously crossed the fourteen times, and Blondie spent the last 20 years of his life carefully refining the principles behind junk rig sailing, ultimately co-writing “Practical Junk Rig” – formally introducing the traditional junk rig to modern yacht design." (END OF CLIP) 27-12-2014, 08:25   Boat: 42' Colvin Gazelle 27-12-2014, 18:04   free standings masts are. Many of the items in the "cost of maintenance" threads here on CF are about the high cost and frequency of replacement. Depending on material, free standings masts need very little . I'm a of the Junk Rig Association, and as a fellow JRA put it "c'mon folks, the stays came off aeroplanes in the 1920's, get with the times!" 27-12-2014, 21:13   Boat: Pearson 422 29-12-2014, 15:02   Boat: Clipper Mk II , 17 ft fractional rigged sloop 29-12-2014, 15:23   29-12-2014, 15:52   - Elmore Leonard 29-12-2014, 16:13   Boat: Pearson 422 that link. I had not seen that article before, and found the direct comparison of two boats (using the same model of boat, with same hull, but different rigs) was very interesting. Here are just a few of the points that caught my attention: Reading the article, the examples of the simplicity of sail adjustment (or reefing) on different points of sail were nicely described. 29-12-2014, 16:37   Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar , rather than just against the with a kite or with a blanketed . This to me is more representative of how cruisers in Bermudan sloops sail those angles when at sea. I'm sure that this will bring howls from "Junkies", but on the few occasions that we have sailed in company with similar sized junk rigged boats they have not performed very well at all. Not a good statistic, but it does tend to warp my appreciation for the rig. In fairness I must point out that most junk rigs are not paired with performance oriented hull shapes, so the data is a bit skewed. All in all, that article was a lot more useful than most of the crap that is published in mags! Jim 29-12-2014, 18:17   Boat: Pearson 422 . This to me is more representative of how cruisers in Bermudan sloops sail those angles when at sea. 29-12-2014, 18:42   Boat: Jon Sayer 1-off 46 ft fract rig sloop strip plank in W Red Cedar simplicity of unstayed masts is appealing, on all such boats that I have visited (all bermudan rigs), the support structure for the foot of the is extensive and would not be easy to retrofit in existing conventional rig boats. It is pretty intrusive into the accommodation. All of the vessels that I have seen have been cat boats, ie the mast is well forward so that the space is in the foc'sle area. In a typical sloop or , the mast is near station 4 or 5 and the support stuff would wipe out much of the area's habitability. I suspect this would out converting many cruising boats to the junk rig, but not sure... maybe it could be done! Jim Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post For Sale: Bobalong Classifieds Archive 0 07-05-2014 06:53 avb3 Cruising News & Events 8 17-09-2011 10:13 BATAAN Monohull Sailboats 5 04-04-2011 09:53 No Threads to Display. - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Watch CBS News Tornado likely sank luxury yacht off coast of Sicily, officials say, as search for survivors continues Updated on: August 20, 2024 / 7:56 PM EDT / CBS/AP Police divers resumed searching Tuesday for six people believed trapped in the hull of a superyacht that sank in deep seas off Sicily, including a British tech magnate who was celebrating his recent acquittal on fraud charges with the people who had defended him at trial. Civil protection officials said they believed the Bayesian, a 184-foot British-flagged yacht, had been struck by a tornado over the water. The ship had been moored about a half-mile offshore off Porticello near Palermo when a storm rolled and the vessel sank at about 5 a.m. local time on Monday .  Grainy film from closed-circuit cameras from shore, broadcast on the website of the Giornale di Sicilia, showed the majestic, illuminated 246-foot mast of the Bayesian weathering the storm and then disappearing over the course of a minute. Fifteen of the 22 people aboard survived, including a mother who reported holding her 1-year-old baby over the waves to save her. One body was recovered, identified by officials as the Antiguan-born on-board chef. The rest of the 10-person crew survived, including the captain whom prosecutors reportedly sought to interview. However, CBS News senior weather producer David Parkinson said Tuesday that it's still too early to determine whether the yacht was hit by a waterspout or a downburst. A waterspout is a meteorological term for a tornado over water, while a downburst consists of powerful winds that descend from a thunderstorm and can often be misinterpreted as a tornado, according to the National Weather Service. As of now, Parkinson said, it's only safe to say that the yacht was impacted by a severe thunderstorm. Based on satellite imagery, there were strong to violent thunderstorms in the area where the yacht sank, Parkinson said. That said, early Monday morning conditions were appropriate for either the development of a waterspout or a downburst, Parkinson explained. At around 4 a.m. local time Monday, the winds spiked, with wind gusts above 43 mph in Palermo. About 10 minutes later in the town of Aspra — which is 20 miles from Palermo and three to four miles west of where the boat sank — wind gusts of 51 mph were recorded, and the thunderstorms appeared to intensify as they moved east. In cases of downbursts, when wind hits the water's surface, it increases the wind speed, Parkinson said. While at the time the boat sank, water temperatures were 84 degrees Fahrenheit, which would be warm enough to support the development of a waterspout, Parkinson said.  "It's a great, great tragedy," said Britain's ambassador to Italy, Edward Llewellyn, who visited Porticello on Tuesday. Britain sent four investigators to the scene, given the disaster involved a British-flagged ship and British citizens were among the missing. Fire rescue officials have said the six other passengers will be considered missing until they are located in the wreckage. They include tycoon Mike Lynch , who was once hailed as Britain's king of technology and was cleared in June of fraud and conspiracy charges in a U.S. federal trial related to Hewlett Packard's $11 billion takeover of his company, Autonomy Corp. Also unaccounted for are Christopher Morvillo, one of Lynch's lawyers, and Jonathan Bloomer, a chairman at Morgan Stanley International and the former head of the Autonomy audit committee who testified in Lynch's defense. The wreckage of the luxury craft is some 164 feet underwater — far deeper than most recreational divers are certified for and a depth that requires special precautions. Recovery crews could only stay for 12-minute shifts, a measure that slowed their efforts to reach the cramped inside of the wreck. Karsten Borner, the captain of the Sir Robert Baden Powell, which rescued the 15 survivors who managed to get into a lifeboat, said he was close enough to be able to see the Bayesian as the storm came in. "A moment later, she was gone," he said. "They said they went flat on the water and were sunk in two minutes," Borner added, quoting the survivors. The rotating search teams, each made up of two specialized cave divers, worked Tuesday to open up access points to get inside the wreck. They were using a remote-controlled underwater vehicle, or ROV, to help in the search. The divers hadn't been able to access the below-deck cabins because they were blocked by furniture that had shifted during the violent storm. Rescue crews said they assume the missing six are in those cabins because the storm struck when most would be sleeping, but the teams haven't verified their presence there through portholes. Luca Cari, a spokesman for the rescue teams, said the search was proceeding much more slowly than another big shipwreck in Italy, the 2012 Costa Concordia cruise ship that flipped on its side off Tuscany's coast, because of the depth of the wreck and the limited space divers have to maneuver. "That was much simpler. Here everything is more tight," he said. The outing was intended at least in part as a celebration of Lynch's acquittal and a "looking forward to what was coming next," said Reid Weingarten, a Washington attorney and a member of Lynch's defense team who was not on the yacht. "A lot of people went, a lot of people were planning to go and then of course this happened," Weingarten said. Some of the people who stood by Lynch throughout the ordeal were on board, including Morvillo, the lawyer, who Weingarten worked with and said "was like a brother." Morvillo's wife, Neda, is also missing, according to his law firm Clifford Chance. Aki Hussain, CEO of international insurer Hiscox Group, where Bloomer, the witness, was chairman, said the company was "deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic event." "Our thoughts are with all those affected, in particular our Chair, Jonathan Bloomer, and his wife Judy, who are among the missing, and with their family as they await further news from this terrible situation," he added. Among the survivors, the Emslie family was released from Palermo's pediatric hospital on Tuesday where little Sofia had been kept overnight after her rescue. Her mother, Charlotte Golunski, had reported that she momentarily lost hold of the 1-year-old in the water but then managed to hold her up over the waves until a lifeboat inflated and they were both pulled to safety, doctors said. The father, identified by ANSA news agency as James Emslie, also survived. "They don't talk much, primarily because they consider themselves survivors and they don't understand why they survived given what they went through," said Dr. Domenico Cipolla, head of the emergency room at Di Cristina Pediatric Hospital. Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Cipolla said Golunski had reported that she and the baby were sleeping in the cabin and suddenly found themselves in the water, where they also found Emslie who had been in a different part of the ship. Cipolla said the parents had been in touch with other survivors, who are being housed at a nearby hotel and were waiting for other family members to arrive in Sicily. The baby slept well overnight and all were released after final checks Tuesday morning, he said according to a videotaped interview posted on Palermo Today, adding that psychologists had been made available. Among the other survivors was Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares. Hannah Lynch, reportedly the couple's 18-year-old daughter, is among the missing. The yacht's registered owner is listed as Revtom Ltd., according to online maritime database Equasis. Bacares is listed as Revtom's sole owner, according to corporate registration documents from the Isle of Man. Its name, Bayesian, may be a reference to "Bayesian Inference," one of the two main approaches to statistical machine learning and the one that was used by Lynch's company. The yacht, built in 2008 by the Italian firm Perini Navi, was carrying 12 passengers and 10 crew. According to online charter companies, it had been available for charter for about $215,000 a week and was notable for its massive aluminum mast, one of the tallest in the world. The coast guard said to date there was no trace of fuel leaks from the wreckage. In an unrelated event, Lynch's co-defendant in the Autonomy trial who was also cleared, Stephen Chamberlain, was killed Sunday when he was hit by a car while running in Cambridgeshire, England, said Chamberlain's lawyer, Gary Lincenberg. Boat Accident United Kingdom More from CBS News Video shows Connecticut house collapse during Sunday's storm Partial collapse leaves Suffolk County families unable to drive down street Search on for arsonist after 6 cars set on fire in Bronx Caught on video: Suspects in St. John's Coach Rick Pitino's office burglary The global authority in superyachting NEWSLETTERS Yachts Home The Superyacht Directory Yacht Reports Brokerage News The largest yachts in the world The Register Yacht Advice Yacht Design 12m to 24m yachts Monaco Yacht Show Builder Directory Designer Directory Interior Design Directory Naval Architect Directory Yachts for sale home Motor yachts Sailing yachts Explorer yachts Classic yachts Sale Broker Directory Charter Home Yachts for Charter Charter Destinations Charter Broker Directory Destinations Home Mediterranean South Pacific Rest of the World Boat Life Home Owners' Experiences Conservation and Philanthropy Interiors Suppliers Owners' Club Captains' Club BOAT Showcase Boat Presents Events Home World Superyacht Awards Superyacht Design Festival Design and Innovation Awards Young Designer of the Year Award Artistry and Craft Awards Explorer Yachts Summit Ocean Talks The Ocean Awards BOAT Connect Between the bays Golf Invitational BOATPro Home Superyacht Insight Global Order Book Premium Content Product Features Testimonials Pricing Plan Tenders & Equipment Removal of sunken 38m motor yacht Lovebug begins in Chesapeake Bay The removal process for the 37.8-metre motor yacht Lovebug officially began yesterday (13 August) with authorities working to refloat the vessel. The yacht took on water and ran aground in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay last month (27 July) and has remained there since.  According to local reports, she is expected to be removed in the next two days. A statement released by the US Coast Guard shortly after the incident occurred assured that "there [were] no reports of pollution at this time," with an oil boom deployed around the vessel to mitigate any potential spills. There is yet to be an update on any pollution that has resulted from Lovebug 's remaining submerged. According to BOATPro , Lovebug is located near the mouth of the West River, roughly a half-mile offshore between Beverly Beach and Curtis Point, Maryland. She was bound for Annapolis – Maryland's capital city. "The five persons on board were safely recovered by a good Samaritan and a tow boat," continued a statement from the U.S Coast Guard Sector for Maryland. "The vessel is not impeding the navigational channel." Built in 2010 under the name Anastasia M , Lovebug is designed inside and out by Italian studio Francesco Paszkowski Design . The superyacht has changed hands several times and was most recently sold in 2021 at a last known asking price of $7,995,000. She was also a regular on the yacht charter circuit. Features of the yacht include a sundeck that comes with a small swimming pool, bar and sunpads. Accommodation is for 11 guests and seven crew. The cause of the incident is unknown. BOAT International will update the story as it develops. Sign up to BOAT Briefing email Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy . More about this yacht Similar yachts for sale, more stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings. There are 3 main reasons Mike Lynch's superyacht may have sunk. None give much hope for finding more survivors. Tech tycoon Mike Lynch is missing after his superyacht sank off Sicily during a storm. The Bayesian yacht sank near Palermo amid severe weather, with six people still missing. Authorities are investigating the cause while search efforts continue for Lynch and others. Mike Lynch , a controversial tech tycoon, remains missing after his superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday. The 183-foot Bayesian superyacht was carrying 22 people when it sank during stormy weather near Porticello, Palermo. Fifteen people were rescued, including Lynch's wife, Angela Bacares. Six passengers remain missing. One body was recovered and is believed to be that of Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef who worked on the vessel, according to BBC News. Divers on Wednesday entered the superyacht after breaking a window. They now have to contend with narrow corridors and floating debris as they search for survivors. There are several theories about what caused the vessel to sink, but none carry much chance of survival for the missing. A dangerous weather phenomenon The City Council of Bagheria said the wreck was likely caused by bad weather in a press release published on Monday. A strong storm hit the area about an hour before the superyacht sank, it said. Witnesses said they saw a waterspout — a tornado-like column of wind found in water — before the sinking, BBC News reported. According to data from the International Centre for Waterspout Research , cited by the BBC, there were 18 waterspouts off the coast of Italy on Monday. Related stories Matthew Schanck, a maritime search and rescue expert, told Business Insider that the situation was "unprecedented" because it's difficult for meteorologists to predict when waterspouts will occur. Rick Shema, a consulting meteorologist, told USA Today that waterspouts are rare and can be triggered by unusually hot weather. Shema said the water was 83.7 degrees, more than three degrees hotter than an average day for the area. "Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said. Tornadoes usually reach up to 300mph, while waterspouts can reach 120mph, Shema said. "Even an average tornado, 120 miles an hour, that's a lot of wind," he said, adding that it would "heel the boat over for sure." The ship's mast could have been damaged Other factors may have contributed to the 56-meter superyacht's fall — but the details are murky. Karsten Borner, the captain of another yacht who witnessed the sinking, told Italy's Corriere della Sera Daily that he saw the ship's mast "bend and then snap," according to part of the interview cited by the BBC. However, Marco Tilotta, a spokesperson for the Palermo fire service divers' unit, told AFP that the ship had been seen lying on its side fully intact, BBC reported. "If the mast was broken, that would be a significant thing that would be reported," Schanck told the BBC. Speaking to BI, Schanck said it's possible the mast could have been damaged during the sinking, but the conflicting reports make it difficult to say. He said there's also the question of whether the keel — a weight underneath the boat to keep it balanced and upright — was deployed. Either way, he said the construction of the ship was unlikely to be a contributing factor, as it was "designed and constructed to rigorous international standards." "There's no indication that there's any sort of breach of any international maritime construction or safety standards," he said. Open doors and windows Soaring temperatures in the area may have caused passengers to leave windows and doors open. This would have allowed the yacht to become filled with water quickly during the storm, he said. "I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that," Sam Jefferson, former editor of the magazine Sailing Today, said in an interview with PA. "There has been water ingress into this vessel. That's why it's at the bottom of the seabed," Schanck told BI. However, he said it's not possible to say whether this happened because of open doors or windows, structural damage to the mast, or because the ship became "heeled over" during the bad weather. Survival for the missing is unlikely Italian authorities are investigating the exact cause of the sinking while search crews continue to look for the missing passengers. A spokesperson for the local fire department told The Independent that the search is "complex," adding that divers operate in 12-minute underwater shifts. There could be survivors in the ship's air pockets. However, Schanck told USA Today that the chance of survival for those missing seems unlikely. "My professional opinion is that the casualties will be located within the vessel," he said. "There is a risk versus benefit in all maritime search and rescue incidents," he said. "Where we start transitioning to a recovery phase, that line shifts." This sentiment was echoed by Luca Cari, a spokesperson for the local fire service. Speaking to ABC News on Wednesday, Cari said it remains a "rescue operation" rather than a recovery operation. However, he noted that finding survivors in air pockets would be "rather improbable." It's been more than 48 hours since the ship sank. Nick Sloane, an engineer who worked on the Costa Concordia salvage operation in 2014, told Sky News that there's only a "very small window of time" to find those who could be stuck in air pockets. "You've got a maximum of two to three days to try to get someone out, so the next 24 hours are critical," he said on Wednesday. Main content Mike Lynch and daughter among missing after yacht sinks: What we know about disaster - and 'alarming' potential cause The British-flagged luxury vessel named Bayesian was carrying 22 people when it got into difficulty off the coast of Sicily. Six people have now been confirmed dead, with one still missing. News reporter @samuelosborne93 Thursday 22 August 2024 19:32, UK Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Six bodies have been found after a superyacht sank off the coast of Sicily. Twenty-two people were on board the vessel named Bayesian when it got into difficulty in the early hours of Monday, with 15 people rescued. Here's what we know about the sinking of the luxury vessel so far. Follow latest updates on the superyacht sinking What might have caused the sinking? The British-flagged luxury vessel, named Bayesian, capsized at around 4.30am local time on Monday morning off Palermo, according to ship-tracking site Marine Traffic. It sank in as little as 60 seconds with 22 people on board, 12 passengers and a crew of 10, according to the Italian coastguard. Waterspouts, essentially tornados that form over water, were seen as powerful winds battered the area overnight, local media said. The yacht may have sunk faster with all the doors open due to the hot weather, Sailing Today magazine editor Sam Jefferson has said. "I imagine all the doors were open because it was hot, so there were enough hatches and doors open that it filled with water very quickly and sank like that," he said. Official pictures show air conditioning units in several of the rooms, however, which could counter the suggestion open windows caused the vessel to sink faster. The huge mast is also likely to have played a role, he added. What are waterspouts? Waterspouts typically occur during thunderstorms and can develop very rapidly, within minutes. Their spin generally reaches wind speeds between 75-200mph, but can reach as high as 300mph. They can travel at about 10-20mph typically but can reach greater speeds, making them difficult to avoid - especially in something as slow-moving as a yacht. Matthew Schanck, chair of the Maritime Search and Rescue Council, called the reports of a tornado or waterspout "rare" and "quite alarming". "The vessel was at anchor in a recognised anchorage," Mr Schanck said. "Depending on wind direction and the state of the sea, this informs the captain whether it is a safe area to anchor or not. There was nothing that was too concerning, for my eye. All in all, the captain used the information they had to make a safe call." Who owns the yacht? The yacht belonged to the family of British tech tycoon Mike Lynch. He was confirmed to have died after rescuers found his body on Thursday. Mr Lynch was on holiday with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah, who is still missing, and his wife Angela Bacares, who was rescued. Mr Lynch, 59, was known as the " British Bill Gates " and has been in the headlines in recent months over a high-profile fraud case. In June, a US jury cleared him of all charges, which were related to the 2011 sale of his software company Autonomy to Hewlett-Packard (HP). The yacht trip is believed to have been a celebration of the end of Mr Lynch's legal troubles. HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the American tech giant. Mr Lynch was extradited to the US to face trial in May last year and spent 13 months under house arrest in San Francisco as he awaited trial on 17 charges of conspiracy and wire fraud brought by the US Department of Justice - which were later reduced to 15 charges. He always denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted. Read more: Lynch's co-defendant dies days before yacht sinking Who was on board when the boat sank? The passengers were largely British and American, with crew members were from New Zealand, South Africa, and Canada. Charlotte Golunski was among the Britons rescued. Her LinkedIn profile says she is a partner at Mr Lynch's firm Invoke Capital and has worked there since 2012. Speaking after the ordeal, Ms Golunski told Italian media that she lost her daughter Sofia for "two seconds" amid the "fury" of the sea but was able to retrieve her. She said she held the infant above the waves until the lifeboat was ready. "Many people screamed. Luckily the lifeboat inflated and 11 of us were able to get on board," she told ANSA. The girl's father James Emsley also survived, according to Sicily's civil protection agency. Also on board were Jonathan Bloomer, chairman of investment bank Morgan Stanley, his wife Judy Bloomer, a top US lawyer Chris Morvillo, who worked on Mr Lynch's criminal case, and his wife Neda Morvillo. Divers confirmed they all died in the disaster on Thursday. The yacht's captain James Calfield survived, along with South African crew members Leah Randall and Katja Chicken. Recaldo Thomas, a Canadian-Antiguan chef who was working on the boat, was the first to be found dead, the Italian Coastguard confirmed to Sky News. During rescue efforts, divers saw "corpses through the portholes" of the wreck as they recovered the body of a man at a depth of 50m (164ft), according to Salvo Cocina, the head of the Civil Protection of Sicily. What do we know about the vessel? The Bayesian is owned by a company controlled by Mr Lynch's wife. It was known for its unusual 72.3m (246ft) single mast - one of the world's tallest made of aluminium - and shared its name with the statistical method Mr Lynch's Autonomy software was based on. It was built by Italian company Perini Navi in 2008 and last refitted in 2020. It was listed for rent for up to €195,000 (£166,000) a week, according to online charter sites. The luxury vessel , which was managed by yachting company Camper & Nicholsons, could accommodate up to 12 guests in six suites. It won a string of awards for its design, according to online specialist yacht sites. Mr Schanck said the vessel would have been equipped with "high standard" life-saving appliances and radio communications. He added the yacht would have met all international standards and UK maritime coastguard agency regulations before its voyage. Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News The boat left the Sicilian port of Milazzo on 14 August and was last tracked east of Palermo on Sunday evening, with a navigation status of "at anchor", according to vessel tracking site VesselFinder. The Bayesian previously travelled to other parts of Sicily before its last sighting off the coast of the port of Porticello. On Sunday, the boat was seen off the coast of Cefalu before it travelled towards Porticello, MarineTraffic data shows. In the days before, the yacht travelled around four of the Aeolian islands, just north of Sicily. It was previously named Salute, or "health" in Italian, when it flew under a Dutch flag. Its minimalist interior featured light wood with Japanese accents designed by the French designer Remi Tessier, according to descriptions on charter sites. Be the first to get Breaking News Install the Sky News app for free Prosecutors in the nearby town of Termini Imerese have opened an investigation into the sinking. Related Topics Superyacht sinking Horror CCTV shows doomed Bayesian yacht engulfed by storm as air pockets could keep missing alive Specialist rescue teams are continuing their desperate search for six people today - after the luxury Bayesian yacht sank off the coast of Italy during a terrifying storm 16:45, 20 Aug 2024 Updated 20:57, 20 Aug 2024 Horror CCTV footage shows the moment a terrifying storm in Italy engulfed a superyacht carrying 22 people as a desperate search continues for those missing, who could be relying on air pockets to survive. The 56-metre luxury yacht, named the Bayesian , capsized and sank on Monday at around 5am after a horrific storm hit the area - with expert divers continuing their desperate search for those onboard. Authorities confirmed yesterday that one man had tragically died following the incident, while six others remain missing. The vessel, located off the coast of Palermo, Sicily, is believed to be owned by the family of British tycoon Mike Lynch , who is among those yet to be found, along with his 18-year-old daughter Hannah . Fifteen people, including a one-year-old baby, were saved by nearby ship Sir Robert Baden Powell, which was anchored close by. A new CCTV clip taken from a villa only 200m away from the accident has emerged, and shows the £14million vessel slowly disappearing off the coast of Porticello, Sicily, as it is engulfed by the heavy rain. Lights from the yacht can also be seen in the distance before tragedy strikes. One witness told how he went to check his cameras after hearing the news of the sinking, according to Giornale Di Sicilia. The owner of the villa said: "In just sixty seconds, you can see the ship disappear. Of about twenty cameras installed in the house, only one was not disturbed by the wind and rain. You can clearly see what is happening. There was nothing that could be done for the boat. It disappeared in a very short time." Specialist drivers are now frantically fighting their way through blockages in the 50m deep wreck in an effort to find the missing six people. Vincenzo Zagarola, a spokesman for the coast guard, said they believe they may still be inside the yacht, as it sank in just a few minutes. He said: “We think they are still inside the boat, that is our very hard idea. Our search and rescue activity by sea and air has gone on for around 36 hours. Of course, we do not exclude that they are not inside the boat, but we know the boat sank quickly. We suppose that the six people missing may not have had time to get out of the boat.” It comes as an expert has claimed passengers could still be alive due to air pockets inside the sunken yacht. Nick Sloane, an engineer who worked on the Costa Concordia salvage operation, warned that rescuers are entering a "critical" 24-hour period to rescue anyone who may have survived. "They've got a very small window of time to try and find people stuck inside with hopefully an air pocket, and they could be rescued," he explained. "You've got a maximum of two to three days to try to get someone out, so the next 24 hours are critical." Speaking to Sky News, he said: "If the yacht is on its side, i might have more air pockets than if it's upright. She's got quite a large keel, and that will deflect and put her on her side, I'm sure." MORE ON CCTV CCTV footage Bayesian yacht Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Poor Economic Outlook and Lack of Security Undermine Kabardino-Balkaria’s Governor Local News | Salvage efforts for LoveBug, 103-foot capsized… Share this:. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window) Capital Gazette eNewspaper Local News | Salvage efforts for LoveBug, 103-foot capsized yacht in Anne Arundel water, set to begin Tuesday Donjon Marine Co., the New Jersey-based firm that worked to recover the debris from the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore , has been contracted to salvage the LoveBug and deliver it to underwriters and its owner. The Farrell 256, a 200-foot crane barge with a 120-foot boom, and the Meagan Ann, a coastal towing tug, began the roughly 40-hour journey down to the Chesapeake Bay on Sunday morning. The vessels are expected to arrive in Anne Arundel waters Tuesday morning, said Steven Newes, senior vice president of Donjon. A second crane barge, the 250-foot Columbia NY, will arrive later, he said. The crane has a 140-foot boom, according to Donjon. The Farrell 256 will be used to rig the LoveBug with slings, Newes said. Then, the Columbia NY will roll and lift it to an upright position. Water inside the yacht will need to be pumped out, as well. How long the salvage will take and where the yacht will go once it’s recovered are unclear. The Italian-built yacht was sailing south on the Chesapeake Bay from Annapolis on July 27 when it began to tip over. The Coast Guard received a mayday call at 12:36 p.m., but by the time crews arrived, the five people onboard had been rescued by a good Samaritan and a nearby towboat. Paramedics tended to two of the passengers, according to the Anne Arundel County Fire Department, but both declined to be treated. In the weeks since the Lovebug capsized, the yacht has remained in the water in the same location between Beverly Beach and Shady Side. Though the yacht was originally resting on its starboard, or right, side, it has rolled some, Newes said. The LoveBug is grounded in roughly 10 to 12 feet of water, said Hunter Dortenzo, a Maryland Natural Resources Police spokesperson. However, the salvage vessels are shallow enough to work in the area, Newes said. Salvage efforts for LoveBug, 103-foot capsized yacht in Anne Arundel water begin | PHOTOS The yacht, which cost between $110,000 and $125,000 to charter for a week, was not operating as a charter when it overturned, Dortenzo said. The LoveBug is owned by Bees Honey LLC, a limited liability company based in the Marshall Islands, according to VesselFinder, a marine traffic site. The owner’s identity remains unclear. The Natural Resources Police and the National Transportation Safety Board are conducting separate investigations. Though Dortenzo was not able to speak about the Maryland agency’s investigation, he said investigators will not be able to survey the yacht or determine what caused it to capsize until it’s lifted from the water. In the days after the capsize, a slight oil sheen was visible on the water surrounding the LoveBug. Two oil booms were placed around the yacht. No additional pollution has been reported since then, Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Christopher Bokum said Friday. More in Local News Politics | Meeting to replace departing alderwoman Tierney postponed, insider garners support Local News | Ocean City suspends tram operation indefinitely after crash killed 2-year-old Education | Anne Arundel County Board of Education lays out vision for year ahead, warns of potential cellphone ban News | Painting the end zones | PHOTOS 478 IMAGES Junk Boat Party Yacht vs. Boat: What are the Differences? Boat vs Ship vs Yacht (Which One Is For You) Bill's Log: Newbridge Navigator Junk Rigged Yacht Yacht vs. Boat: What's the Difference and Which One is Right for You? LAST-SECOND TAKEOVER! BOAT VS YACHT AT THE FAMOUS HAULOVER INLET COMMENTS Junk (ship) A junk ( Chinese: 船; pinyin: chuán) is a type of Chinese sailing ship characterized by a central rudder, an overhanging flat transom, watertight bulkheads, and a flat-bottomed design. [ 1][ 2] They are also characteristically built using iron nails and clamps. [ 1] The term applies to many types of small coastal or river ships, usually ... Chinese Junks: Emperors of the East Chinese junk boat under construction. (Credits: Huang Liang) But the most revolutionary Chinese innovation was arguably the stern-mounted rudder. This invention steered junks as early as the 1 st century AD, a good thousand years before the invention of its pintle-and-gudgeon European relative. Western shipyards struggled for many years, as the ... Junk boat design explained: How this ancient sailplan still performs The photographs of the old Chinese junk boats in the books referred to above, and of my own Vertue, show these possibilities clearly. Separate mainsheets for the upper and lower part of my sail may be worth trying too. Some of my results complement those in the fascinating article by Group Captain Smith in Newsletter 20 of the Junk Rig Association. The pros and cons of junk rig The 'bible' on the subject is Practical Junk Rig by HG Hasler and JK McLeod. Pros. 1 Very easy raising, lowering and reefing. 2 Soft gybing due to the sail area before the mast. 3 No flogging as the sail is rigid. 5 Great all-round visibility. 6 Good ability off the wind or before it without need of extra downwind sails. A Brief History Of The Chinese Junk Junks first appeared in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD), a small, shallow-hulled vessel with one or two masts. The boat's narrow shape was designed to allow it to glide quickly across the water, while the flat bottom made it possible to dock in shallow waters. The Chinese-style ships also featured 'battened' sails ... The last of Hong Kong's original wooden junk boats is still afloat Dukling is the last remaining Hong Kong junk boat available for public use. In her first life, Dukling was built in 1955 and was home for a seafaring local family. She is 18 meters long and weighs ... Junk ship Evidence of junks have been recorded in the writings of Muslims on the Euphrates River in the 7 th century CE, and fleets of junk ships were recorded by Marco Polo in the 13 th century. When Marco Polo wrote about these ships, most were quite large, with 50 to 60 cabins onboard. By the 15th century, however, junks had become colossal in size! Hidden Hong Kong: A history of Hong Kong's junk boats A brief history. A junk boat is a Chinese sailing ship that has fully battened sails, meaning that there are several horizontal poles spanning the full width of the sail, as opposed to the Bermuda rig, which is more commonly seen on Western sailboats. Historians believe that junk boats date back to the Han dynasty, inspired by Austronesian ship ... Junk junk, classic Chinese sailing vessel of ancient unknown origin, still in wide use. High-sterned, with projecting bow, the junk carries up to five masts on which are set square sails consisting of panels of linen or matting flattened by bamboo strips. Each sail can be spread or closed at a pull, like a venetian blind. The massive rudder takes the place of a keel, or centreboard. Hong Kong's last authentic junk in troubled waters A junk boat with red sails is the symbol of the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The boats date back to the Han dynasty (202BC to 220AD) although some say they first appeared in the 10th century when ... Hong Kong junks: Your guide to the best boat charters For junk trip packages including food and drink, prices start at HK $650 per person. The price for a day charter on Jungle Jane is HK$25,000, and HK$27,000 for Tarzan. For an evening charter, the ... How Victoria Harbour's red-sailed junk boat serves as iconic reminder Dukling, a wooden, 65-year-old former fishing boat - the last original antique Chinese vessel still sailing in local waters - offers 'history' tours on evolution of city's skyline The Story Of Hong Kongs Iconic Aqua Luna Red-Sail Junk Boats The modern Aqua Luna is based on ancient Chinese sailing ships, known as junks, that were first used as seagoing vessels during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). They soon evolved and were used throughout Asia for extensive ocean voyages. However, over the years, the number of junk boats in Chinese waters started to dwindle, and so the Aqua Luna ... Junk boats Junk boats first appeared in China during the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). These boats were large and sturdy, and they could be sailed in both calm and rough waters. Junk boats quickly became popular in China due to their versatility, and they began to be used for long-distance travel as well. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Junk ... Best Halong Bay Junk Boats Overnight (With Price & Itinerary) The dining room both indoor and outdoor enables you to savor tasty meals and enjoy the scenery. Noticeably, Dragon's Pearl Junk offers off-the-beaten-track itineraries to Bai Tu Long Bay with a number of interesting activities. Price range: From 184 USD/per room/per night. Inside the cabins of Dragon Pearl Junk. Over half a century ago, 8 men crossed the Pacific in a Chinese junk In 1955, the Free China - a fishing junk boat from Taiwan - sailed across the Pacific Ocean for over 100 days to challenge yachts in the United States. The only man still alive from the ... Hong Kong Junk Boats: All-Inclusive Packages & What To Know Hong Kong Yachting - Junk boats, sailing yachts and luxury cruises. With over 80 different boats to choose from and about 10 different packages, Hong Kong Yachting is a go-to option for a seamless party at sea with two spacious yachts and waiters on board to take care of your needs. Junk rigged schooner , Pros , Cons? Another point to bear in mind is that differences in ease of handling become more pronounced as size and wind increase, so comparisons with small boats in light airs tend to hand the advantage to the Bermudan rig. Single-handed in a gale on a 35-footer, the junk's simplicity would undoubtedly be more apparent." Tornado likely sank luxury yacht off coast of Sicily, officials say, as 6 people, including 2 Americans, missing after yacht sinks off Italian coast 00:26. The outing was intended at least in part as a celebration of Lynch's acquittal and a "looking forward to what ... Second crane arrives at capsized LoveBug yacht site, salvage expected A second crane arrived recently to begin salvaging the LoveBug, the 103-foot yacht that capsized at the mouth of the West River in July. The Columbia NY, a 250-foot crane barge with 140-foot boom ... Removal of sunken 38m motor yacht Lovebug begins ... The removal process for the 37.8-metre motor yacht Lovebug officially began yesterday (13 August) with authorities working to refloat the vessel. The yacht took on water and ran aground in a tributary of Chesapeake Bay last month (27 July) and has remained there since. According to local reports, she is expected to be removed in the next two days. The 3 Main Reasons Mike Lynch's Bayesian Superyacht May Have Sunk Shema said the water was 83.7 degrees, more than three degrees hotter than an average day for the area. "Hurricanes can form at 80 degrees. This was almost four degrees higher than that," he said. Mike Lynch and daughter among missing after yacht sinks: What we know The yacht trip is believed to have been a celebration of the end of Mr Lynch's legal troubles. HP accused him of deliberately overstating the value of the company before it was acquired by the ... Horror CCTV shows doomed Bayesian yacht engulfed by storm as air Horror CCTV footage shows the moment a terrifying storm in Italy engulfed a superyacht carrying 22 people as a desperate search continues for those missing, who could be relying on air pockets to ... Bayesian yacht: What we know about the luxury boat sank by a tornado The yacht's mast stood 72.27 meters (237 feet) high above the designated water line, just short of the world's tallest mast which is 75.2 meters, according to Guinness World Records. Bayesian Yacht sinking: Tributes paid to chef Recaldo Thomas 'whose A boat carrying a team of divers has left the port of Porticello, near Palermo on Sicily, for a further search near the site where the luxury yacht Bayesian sank. A boat from Vigili del Fuoco ... Kabardino-Balkaria Kabardino-Balkaria ( Russian: Кабарди́но-Балка́рия ), officially the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, [ note 1][ 10][ 11][ 12] is a republic of Russia located in the North Caucasus. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 904,200. [ 13] Its capital is Nalchik. The area contains the highest mountain in Europe, Mount Elbrus, at ... Circassia Times : Poor Economic Outlook and Lack of Security Undermine Brutal police operations in Kabardino-Balkaria in recent months have prompted some experts to conclude that the republic's governor is building a "police republic." Salvage efforts for LoveBug, 103-foot capsized yacht, to begin Tuesday Salvage efforts for the LoveBug, the 103-foot yacht that capsized at the mouth of the West River July 27, are set to begin Tuesday. Donjon Marine Co., the New Jersey-based firm that worked to ... Mike Lynch yacht sinking: Six people missing after tornado sinks ... Rescuers were on Monday searching for six people missing after a luxury yacht was hit by a tornado and sank off the coast of Sicily, killing one of the 22 people on board. CNN values your feedback 1. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat sailboat trimaran yacht