Sails, Rigging, and Deck Flashcards
Gooseneck
A fitting that attaches the boom to the mast
What is the primary purpose of “Standing Rigging”
To support the mast or masts
Transom
The flat part which forms the stern of a square ended boat
Hank
Used to connect the jib to the headstay (most common purpose)
What controls the draft of a sail
Outhaul and backstay
Traveler
To add twist to the main sail or flatten it
-This can help with weather helm
Tack
Bottom front corner of a sail
Tangs
Attachment point on the mast for shrouds and stays
Freeboard
Distance from the waterline to the upper deck level
What do you attach the main halyard to
The head of the main
Battens
A slat, typically made of plastic, placed in a pocket of the main sail to help it maintain good shape
Shackle
U-shaped piece of metal secured with pin, bolt, or hinged metal loop (quick release)
Jib
A triangular sail attached to the forestay
Forestay and Backstay
Cable that runs from the masthead to the bow and stern to help support the mast
Tabernacle
A structure on deck that holds the mast on a pivot that allows the mast to be lowered
Length Overall
It is the tip of the bow to the trailing edge of the stern
Pulpit
The railing at the bow of the boat
Good ultimate stability occurs when
A narrow boat tips easy but heavy keel offsets heeling
Bilge
Lowest inner part or bottom of the boat
-designed to collect excess water (rain, wave spray, prop shaft leaks, etc…)
Luff
Front leading edge of a sail
What is the “load water line length (LWL)” of a boat
Distance between where the bow comes out of the water and where the stern comes out of the water
Telltales
Light strips of material to indicate whether the air stream on the sail is smooth or turbulent
Running rigging includes _____ and _____
Halyards and sheets
Fairlead
Typically a ring or a hook used to guide a rope or cable:
- around an object
- to move it out of the way
- to stop it from moving laterally
Outhaul
A line connected to the clew of a mainsail and pulls the sail back toward the end of the boom
Stays and shrouds are attached to the hull by ________
Chainplates
Mast
Vertical pole to support sails and rigging
Sheet
The line used to let out or trim in a sail
Roach
An additional curved area on the leech to provide extra power to a sail
Scope
The amount of anchor line you have out
Downhaul/Cunningham
Changes the draft position and a way to pull the luff down
Boom Topping Lift
Applies upward force/supports the free end of the boom
Mizzen
The small aft mast on a ketch or yawl
Mast Step
The support structure for the bottom of the mast
Foot
Bottom edge of a sail
What is a boats “draft”
Distance from the water line to the deepest part of the boat
What two functions does the keel of a sailboat perform
Generates lift to windward and helps keep the boat upright
Mainsail
The sail affixed to and behind the mainmast
Lifeline
Last resort equipment to keep a person on board
Boltrope
A rope sewn into the edge of a sail that slides in a groove on the boom and mast
Shroud
Wire or line stay from the deck or hull supporting the mast from each side
Poor initial stability occurs when a sailboat has
A narrow hull and heavy keel
Head
Top of a sail
Leach
Aft edge of a sail
What is a “Genoa”
A jib whose clew reachs aft of the mast
Boom Vang
A device that prevents the boom from rising or in some cases lowering
Clew
Bottom aft corner of a sail
Boom
Horizontal spar, back from mast to which the foot of a sail is attached
Roller Furler
A device by which a sail is rolled up
Spreaders
Increase the angle at which they meet the mast, which lowers shroud tension and compression on the mast
The mainsails shape is controlled by _______, ________, ________, ________, and ________
- Cunningham/Downhaul
- Mainsheet
- Traveler
- Boom Vang
- Outhaul
Stanchions
Vertical poles around the boat to attach life lines
Halyard
A line used to hoist a sail
What are the two main categories of standing rigging
Shrouds and Stays
What does the outhaul control
What does the backstay control (if adjustable)
Controls draft in the lower third of the mainsail
Controls draft in the top two thirds of a sail
