Ketch vs. Schooner — What's the Difference?

A ketch is a two-masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), generally in a 40-foot or bigger boat. The name ketch is derived from catch.

A schooner () is a type of sailing vessel defined by its rig: fore-and-aft rigged on all of 2 or more masts and, in the case of a 2 masted schooner, the foremast generally being shorter than the mainmast. A common variant, the topsail schooner also has a square topsail on the foremast, to which may be added a topgallant.

A two-masted fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel with a mizzenmast stepped aft of a taller mainmast but forward of the rudder.

A fore-and-aft-rigged sailing vessel having at least two masts, with a foremast that is usually smaller than the other masts.

A fore-and-aft rigged sailing vessel with two masts, main and mizzen, the mizzen being stepped forward of the rudder post.

A large beer glass, generally holding a pint or more.

A hangman.

A prairie schooner.

Pronunciation spelling of catch

(watercraft) A sailing ship with two or more masts, all with fore-and-aft sails; if two masted, having a foremast and a mainmast.

(rare) To hang.

(UK) A glass for drinking a large measure of sherry.

An almost obsolete form of sailing vessel, with a mainmast and a mizzenmast, - usually from one hundred to two hundred and fifty tons burden.

(Australia) A glass of beer, of a size which varies between states (Wikipedia).

In modern usage, a sailing vessel having two masts, with the main mast taller than the aftermost, or mizzen, mast.

(US) A large goblet or drinking glass, used for lager or ale (Wikipedia).

A hangman. See Jack Ketch.

(historical) A covered wagon used by emigrants.

To catch.

Originally, a small, sharp-built vessel, with two masts and fore-and-aft rig. Sometimes it carried square topsails on one or both masts and was called a topsail schooner. About 1840, longer vessels with three masts, fore-and-aft rigged, came into use, and since that time vessels with four masts and even with six masts, so rigged, are built. Schooners with more than two masts are designated three-masted schooners, four-masted schooners, etc. See Illustration in Appendix.

A sailing vessel with two masts; the mizzen is forward of the rudderpost

A large goblet or drinking glass, - used for lager beer or ale.

A large beer glass

Sailing vessel used in former times