Parts of the Sail and Sail Rigging Flashcards
The entire system of sails, spars, and associated rigging comprises the sailboat’s rig.
Sloop
A sloop is the most common type of keeled sailboat characterized by a single mast and a fore-and-aft rig. A sloop has one mast and (usually) just two sails: the mainsail, which has its forward edge attached to the mast, and a headsail. Headsail is a generic term that refers to any sail that sets forward of the mast. The most common is a jib.
Spar
A pole of any type used to support the sails
Mast
Stands vertically from the deck and supports the sails
Boom
Horizontal spar that supports the bottom edge of the mainsail
Gooseneck
An articulated connection that connects the boom to the mast.
Mainsail
The aftmost sail. Attached to the mast and boom.
Main sheet
The line used to control the main boom and thus also to trim the mainsail
Headsail
A generic term that refers to any sail that sets forward of the mast
Jib
The most common type of headsail
Jib sheet
A line attached to the clew of a jib used to adjust its angle to the wind
Halyard
A line used to raise or hoist a sail.
Leech
The aft edge of the sail
Luff
A sail’s forward edge
Clew
The aft lower corner of a sail
Foot
The bottom edge of a sail
Tack
The forward lower corner of a sail
Batten
Solid slats or rods, to help maintain the desired airfoil shape of the sail
Telltales
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
Standing Rigging
Rigging, e.g. shrouds and stays, that supports spars and that remains in place when a boat is not sailing
Forestay
A stay that supports the mast from forward
Backstay
A wire support from the top of the mast to the stern
Spreader
A strut on a mast that holds a shroud away from the mast
Shrouds
A wire that provides support to the mast
