Car designs have converged so much that it’s difficult to tell models by different manufacturers apart. The other day I parked between two identical SUVs. They even had the same green-brown color. Only after I got out my car, I realized that one was a Honda and the other an Acura.
This convergence in car design has been blamed on regulation, but that’s unlikely to be the entire explanation. The same convergence has happened for other types of vehicles too. Consider sailing yachts between 30 and 40 feet in length, meant for recreational cruising by small crews.
The shape and layout of those boats has converged to a degree comparable to that of contemporary cars. It’s not just that all modern sailing boats have a single-mast sloop rig. The shape of the hulls has also become almost identical, with the stern section being almost as wide as the widest section of the boat (the beam). Almost all modern sailing yachts have a fin keel and suspended rudders. The bow is almost vertical.
All of this makes sense. Sailing characteristics, maneuvering under motor and interior space have improved compared to previous designs, or at least not taken a noticeable hit. However, it also means that new sailing yachts now look almost identical to each other.
At least, that’s the case when they’re new. Unlike car owners, who at best slap a bumper sticker on the back of their vehicles, sail boat owners are notorious tinkerers and don’t shy away from modifying their yachts. After a few rounds of modification, boats acquire a distinct personality, making them far more recognizable than individual cars.
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