sails
A sailboat’s sails that are rigged on the bowsprit, the foremast, the main masts, the jiggermast and between these masts.
main sail
Lowest square sail on the mainmast.
main lower topsail
Square sail above the main sail.
foresail
Lowest square sail on the foremast.
lower fore topsail
Square sail above the foresail.
inner jib
Very heavy triangular staysail that lies farthest aft on the bowsprit.
middle jib
Triangular staysail that lies between the outer jib and the inner jib.
outer jib
Triangular staysail that lies between the flying jib and the middle jib.
flying jib
Very light triangular staysail that is foremost on the bowsprit.
upper fore topsail
Square sail between the lower fore topgallant sail and the lower fore topsail.
lower fore topgallant sail
Square sail between the upper fore topgallant sail and the upper fore topsail.
upper fore topgallant sail
Square sail below the fore royal sail.
fore royal sail
Small square sail at the top of the foremast above the fore topgallant sail.
main upper topsail
Square sail between the main lower topgallant sail and the main lower topsail.
main lower topgallant sail
Square sail between the main upper topgallant sail and the main upper topsail.
main upper topgallant sail
Square sail under the main royal sail.
main royal sail
Small square sail above the topgallant sail at the top of the mainmast.
halyard
Rope for hoisting a sail or a yard.
sheet
Rope extending from the lower corner of a sail for trimming it with respect to the wind direction.
mizzen sail
The lowest square sail supported by the mizzenmast.
spanker
Gaff sail for the mizzenmast.
gaff topsail
Sail above a gaff sail and between the gaff and the top of the mast.
jigger topmast staysail
Triangular sail below the jigger topgallant staysail.
jigger topgallant staysail
Highest triangular sail among the sails rigged between the mizzenmast and the jiggermast.
mizzen royal brace
Rope that causes the yard supporting the royal sail to pivot around the mizzenmast.
mizzen topmast staysail
Triangular sail on the stay supporting the aft fore-topmast.
reef point
One of several short ropes attached along the reef band on both sides of the sail for tying up the reefed sail.
reef band
Reinforced horizontal strip of canvas; a part of the sail can be gathered and tied to it to reduce the sail’s wind surface.