A cutter is a versatile, single-masted sailing vessel rigged fore-and-aft, featuring a mainsail and two headsails (a jib and a staysail). Distinguished from a sloop by having the mast stepped further aft, it offers better balance and efficiency in heavy winds for cruising. They are known for speed, seaworthiness, and manageable crews.

Key Characteristics:
Rigging: Features a main mast with a forestay and an inner forestay, allowing for a jib on the outer stay and a staysail on the inner, plus a mainsail.

Performance: Excellent for heavy air and offshore sailing, as the smaller staysail can be used alone or with a reefed main when winds increase.

Design: Historically, they feature a deep/narrow hull, long bowsprit, and vertical stem. Modern cutters may have a "Solent" stay, allowing for two headsails close together.

Handling: The two headsails create a "slot" effect, increasing upwind efficiency. However, they can be more complex to tack in tight spaces than sloops.

Versatility: The cutter rig is widely used by long-distance cruisers, allowing for easy, reduced sail plans (e.g., just the staysail and reefed main) without needing to change sails.