The three-master, a boat through the ages

Of all the boats designed for long ocean voyages, three-masters are among those that have left the strongest mark on the common imagination. Here's an attempt to explain why.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the social figure of the boat was very closely associated with the expansionist desires of the greatest European and colonial powers. The pleasure boat was only just emerging. Sea voyages, river crossings and ocean voyages were all about understanding where cultural and material riches lay unexplored. For these expeditions of a political nature, shipyards favored boats whose characteristics were perfectly suited to the needs of the expedition. Over time, these boats, all with similar rigs, became part of the common imagination.