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.