The Latin sail is mainly used in the Mediterranean, whatever the shore. It can be found on many boats, starting with the pointed ones in the western Mediterranean.
The Latin sail is triangular. It is rigged on a yard called an antenna. The length of the antenna forces to use 2 pieces of wood that are tied together. Very long, the antenna joins the deck at bow level.
It is precisely this length that makes it impossible to find this rig on large boats. To stay strong, the antenna becomes too heavy. You can sometimes find jibs rigged in addition to the Latin sail.
This type of rig was historically the most efficient for sailing upwind. Compared to the square rig that we found at the time (with sails mounted on yards), the Latin sail was much more efficient. Because of the length of the antenna, it cannot be passed from one edge to the other at the turn (it is not possible to gamble). On the"wrong" edge, the sail is plated on the mast and the performance is less good.
Brest 2016 brings together this type of yacht in a Mediterranean area. You can discover the emblematic boats of different ports and navigation basins of the Mediterranean:
