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Bermuda rig

Bermuda rig

9.0
A way of putting triangular sails from front to back on a boat, often on yachts
  • noun
  • /bərˈmjuːdə rɪg/
  • Specialized
translation icon : vela de Bermuda
  • Most competitive yachts today use the Bermuda rig, which is known for its efficiency.

Examples

  • The sleek sloop featured a modern Bermuda rig for optimal speed and maneuverability.

  • Sailors admired the simplicity of the Bermuda rig compared to older sail plans.

  • The yacht is equipped with a Bermuda rig.

  • Many sailors prefer the Bermuda rig for its efficiency.

  • Most modern racing yachts are designed with a Bermuda rig, optimizing their performance on the water.

  • The Bermuda rig allows sailors to harness the wind effectively, making it a popular choice for leisure sailing.

  • With its triangular sails, the Bermuda rig provides better speed and control compared to traditional rigs.

Synonyms

Bermudian rig
vsBermuda rig
  • Specialized
9.1

A sail arrangement with triangular sails on one tall pole that runs front to back

is an alternative adjective spelling or form for the same sail arrangement
Bermudan rig
vsBermuda rig
  • Specialized
8.9

A sail setup for yachts with triangular sails and a mainsail set behind the mast

is an alternative spelling variant for the same sail arrangement
Marconi rig
vsBermuda rig
  • Specialized
9.9

A sail setup on a boat with a tall single mast and a triangular mainsail

is the general triangular fore-and-aft arrangement not focused on mast details
fore-and-aft rig
vsBermuda rig
  • Specialized
8.4

A sail setup where the main sails run along the boat's length

is the specific triangular fore-and-aft sail setup used on yachts

Surface Forms

Bermuda rig singular
Bermuda rigs plural

Morphology

Bermuda + rig

The word 'rig' clearly signals a kind of equipment, so a B1 learner who knows both words would infer that 'Bermuda rig' names a particular type of rig. However, 'Bermuda' is just a place-name and does not transparently convey the technical properties (triangular, fore-and-aft sails), so the specific sailing configuration is not predictable without nautical knowledge.

Etymology

Bermuda rig comes from the island of Bermuda, where boat builders used tall masts and triangular sails on fast small boats. That clear image of a triangle sail is why Bermuda rig now means 'a sail setup with triangular sails' used on yachts.