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Cutter (boat) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Freiheitu
A gaff cutter, Kleine Freiheit, with a genoa jib set

A cutter is typically a small, but in some cases a medium-sized, watercraft designed for speed rather than for capacity. Traditionally a cutter is a smaller sailing ship with a single mast. It is fore-and-aft rigged, with two or more headsails and often has a bowsprit. The cutter's mast may be set farther back than on a sloop.

In modern usage, a cutter can be either a small- or medium-sized ship whose occupants exercise official authority. Examples are harbor pilots' cutters and cutters of the U.S. Coast Guard or UK Border Force.

Cutters can also be a small boat serving a larger one to ferry passengers or light cargo between larger ships and the shore. This type of cutter may be powered by oars, sails or a motor.


Images for kids

  • USCGC Legare

    USCGC Legare, an example of a US Coast Guard cutter

  • CUTTER, 28FT RMG J2097

    Plans of a 25 or 26 foot cutter, dated 1896, with sketch plan of sailing rig. There is provision for 10 oars, double-banked

  • Lebreton engraving-10

    French 19th century cutter

  • CutterRace01

    Cutter race at Sunbury Amateur Regatta

  • Lizzie May au Brest 2008

    Wooden pilot cutter Lizzie May under sail in Brest, France

  • USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715)

    "High Endurance Cutter" USCGC Hamilton

  • Bundesarchiv Bild 183-08328-0004, Berlin, Jachtwerft Berlin, Fischkutter

    German Fishcutter, Jachtwerft, Köpenick, Berlin, 1950

  • Stan Patrol P810 Jaguar Dutch Caribbean Coastguard

    Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard cutter Jaguar

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cúter (embarcación) para niños

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