Functions of Sails, Sail Parts, and Sail Controls

Question 1

Mainsail

Answer 1

The sail attached to the aft side of the mainmast.

Question 2

Jib

Answer 2

A triangular said set forward of the mainmast.

Question 3

Genoa

Answer 3

A large jib that extends aft of the mast.

Question 4

Tack

Answer 4

1) The forward lower corner of a sail 2) To change course by turning the bow of the boat through the wind 3) A course designation according to which side of the boat (port or starboard) the wind is blowing onto.

Question 5

Head

Answer 5

The top of a sail.

Question 6

Clew

Answer 6

The aft lower corner of a sail.

Question 7

Luff

Answer 7

1) The forward edge of a sail 2) The fluttering of a sail when the boat is too close to the wind for the sail’s trim 3) To head up so that the sails luff

Question 8

Foot

Answer 8

The bottom edge of a sail.

Question 9

Leech

Answer 9

The aft (toward the stern) edge of a sail.

Question 10

Batten

Answer 10

A slat inserted in the leech of a sail to support the sailcloth.

Question 11

Batten Pocket

Answer 11

A pocket sewn into the sail to hold a batten.

Question 12

Bolt Rope

Answer 12

A rope sewn into the edge of a sail, often used to attach it to then mast or boom.

Question 13

Running Rigging

Answer 13

The adjustable rigging used to raise and lower or trim the sails (sheets, halyards, boom vang)

Question 14

Halyard

Answer 14

A line used to raise and lower a sail.

Question 15

Mainsheet

Answer 15

The line used to control the main boom and thus also to trim the mainsail.

Question 16

Jibsheets

Answer 16

A line attached to the clew of a jib used to adjust its angel to the wind.

Question 17

Boom Vang

Answer 17

An item of running rigging, often a block and tackle, used to hold down the boom.

Question 18

Outhaul

Answer 18

A line used to tension the foot of the mainsail.

Question 19

Downhaul

Answer 19

A line used to tension the luff of a sail by pulling down the boom at the gooseneck.

Question 20

Cunningham

Answer 20

A line used to tension the luff of a sail.

Question 21

Traveler

Answer 21

A car-and-track system that allows the mainsheet’s attachment point to the deck to be moved athwartship.

Question 22

Hank

Answer 22

A metal clip or fabric tab used to attach a sail’s luff to a stay.

Question 23

Boom Topping Lift

Answer 23

A line which applies upward force on the boom, primarily used to hold the boom up when the sail is lowered.

Question 24

Telltale

Answer 24

A short length of light yarn or similar material attached to a sail to indicate the flow of air across it and thus the state of the sail’s trim.

Question 25

Roller Furler

Answer 25

A mechanism for furling a sail by rolling it around its stay.