PARTS OF A SAIL Most sails have three corners and three edges. These all have specific names. Sails


are raised by a line called a halyard attached to the head (top corner).


Edges of a Sail EThe forward edge of a sail is called the luff. On the jib the luff is attached to the forestay. The luff of the mainsail is attached to the mast.


EThe aft (back) edge of each of the sails is called the leech. It is not attached to the rig, but has battens installed for support.


EThe bottom edge of a sail is called the foot. The foot of a mainsail is attached to the boom, while the foot of a jib is unattached.


Halyards Halyards are used to raise and lower the


sails, and are often led inside the mast. EThe jib halyard runs over an internal sheave(pulley) in the front of the mast.


EThe main halyard runs over the sheave on the back side of the top of the mast.


Corners of a Sail EThe top corner of each of the sails is called the head, and is where the halyard is attached when rigging.


EBoth jib and mainsail are attached to the rig at their lower forward corners. This corner of the sail is called the tack.


Telltales


Pieces of cloth, yarn, or tape that indicate wind flow over a sail.


Batten A slat of fiberglass, plastic, or


EThe lower back corner of each sail is called the clew.


wood inserted into a pocket in the sail to help it hold its shape.


CLEW TACK FOOT CLEW TACK


Telltales


Pieces of cloth, yarn, or tape that indicate wind flow over a sail.


17 17


Table of Contents


LUFF


HEAD


LEECH


FOOT


LEECH


HEAD


LUFF


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