Question: what is the difference between schooner and before?
Answer: A ketch has two masts with the mizzen mast stepped before the rudder head. ... The mizzen sail in a ketch is a driving sail, in a yawl it is more of a balancing sail. The mizzen sail is always is smaller, often much smaller than the mainsail. If it was the same size or larger the boat would be a schooner.