Parts Of A Sail

Question 1

What is the forward edge of a sail called?

Answer 1

Luff

Question 2

Where is mainsail luff attached?

Answer 2

Mast

Question 3

Where is the jib luff attached?

Answer 3

Forestay

Question 4

What is the aft (back) edge of a sail called?

Answer 4

Leech

Question 5

What part of the rig is the leech attached to?

Answer 5

Not attached to the rig, but has battens installed for support

Question 6

What is the foot of the sail?

Answer 6

The bottom edge

Question 7

Where are the feet of the mainsail and jib attached?

Answer 7

Mainsail to boom, jib unattached

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Telltales

Question 9

A slat of fiberglass, plastic, or wood inserted into a pocket in the sail to help it hold its shape

Answer 9

Batten

Question 10

What are used to raise and lower the sails (often inside the mast)?

Answer 10

Halyards

Question 11

The top corner of each sail

Answer 11

Head

Question 12

Lower forward corner of the sail

Answer 12

Tack

Question 13

Clew

Answer 13

Lower back corner of the sail

Question 14

Gooseneck

Answer 14

A fitting capable of pivoting in all directions

Question 15

The tack of the mainsail is usually attached to?

Answer 15

Gooseneck

Question 16

How are the luff and foot of the mainsail attached to the mast and boom?

Answer 16

Either a slot or track

Question 17

Spring-loaded clips that hold the jib to the forestay

Answer 17

Metal hanks (some jibs have cloth tabs)

Question 18

Closable fastening connecting the halyard to the head

Answer 18

Shackle

Question 19

Drum that turns to adjust the size of the jib

Answer 19

Furling drum

Question 20

Control of jib size from the cockpit

Answer 20

Furling line