Yacht, yot, a sailing boat kept for pleasure, as for traveling or for racing. There are three principal rigs for yachts--cutter, schooner and yawl. A cutter has one mast and a running bowsprit and usually carries four sails, namely, mainsail, gaff-topsail, foresail and jib (See SAIL). A square sail is also frequently set by the larger vessels of this class. A schooner has two masts, mainmast and foremast, a standing bowsprit and jibboom, or not infrequently, instead of these, a running bowsprit, like that of a cutter. A yawl is rigged exactly like a cutter, with the addition of a small mizzenmast. It is a very convenient cruising rig and is becoming common for yachts of over 50 tons. Steam yachts are common, and in many localities they are put to practical uses by their owners. The speed attained by some is remarkable. See YACHTING.