There are many different types and sizes of sailing boat available for people of all skill levels, ranging in price from a few hundred euro to thousands. Put simply, you can divide sailing boats into three categories: sailing dinghies, keelboats and yachts.
A sailing dinghy is a small, open sailing boat with a shallow draft and no fixed keel. They are a great option for beginners, young sailors or those craving speed for sailing!). Dinghies are also great for sailing on inland waters like Lough Derg, as they are typically 3–5m long. Killaloe Sailing Club is a single-hulled dinghy sailing club.
A keelboat is a larger open boat with a fixed keel and a deeper draft.
A yacht is a larger sailing boat, usually with an inboard engine and a cabin for accommodation, where the sails are the main driving force. A yacht can vary from around 6 metres to 70 metres in length, making it ideal for sailing with a crew or in a group, and out in the open sea.
