
BACKSTAY -The wire that supports the mast
from the aft side, running from the masthead to the aft end of the
boat. BATTENS-Thin semi-rigid strips of
wood or synthetic material inserted into pockets in the sail in order to
maintain the shape of the sail. BATTEN
POCKETS-Pockets sewn in the sail that receive the
battens. BECKET-A fitting on a block for
splicing or tying off the end of a line, or to receive a fitting. BELAY, TO-To belay means to stop and secure a line
so it won't move. BEND, TO-To bend is to
fasten something; specifically, to fasten or attach the sails to the spars
and rigging. BLOCK-A wood, metal, or
synthetic casing containing one or more pulleys or sheaves. BOLT ROPE-A length of rope sewn along the length
of the luff, and sometimes the foot of a sail, for fitting it into the
groove of the spars. BOOM-The pivoting
horizontal "pole" attached to the aft side of the mast to control the foot
of the sail. BOOM BAIL-A "U"-shaped strap
wrapped around the lower portion of the boom to which fittings can be
attached. BOOM CRUTCH-A vertical support
to hold up the boom when the sails are furled or when hoisting the
mainsail in order to keep the boom in position. BOOM
VANG-A tackle used to pull the boom down in order to control
the shape of the sail and movement of the boom. BRIDLE-A line secured at each end with attachment
or control taken at the middle. BRUMMEL
HOOK-A patented hook used in pairs to join or connect two
objects, usually lines to other lines or to sails. BULLET BLOCK-A small block with a single sheave
and no shackle.
CAM CLEAT-A fitting used to belay a line
utilizing two pivoting serrated cams that allow for immediate
adjustment. CAT RIG-A sail rig with a
single mast well forward and a single sail attached to the aft side of the
mast. CENTERBOARD-A vertical plate
sticking out the bottom of the boat that pivots up and down about the
centerboard pin. CENTERBOARD PENNANT-The
line used to raise and lower the centerboard. CENTERBOARD PIN-A bolt or rod that secures the
centerboard to the centerboard trunk and allows the board to pivot up and
down. CENTERBOARD TRUNK-The casing in
boat that houses the centerboard. CHAINPLATE-Metal strap connected to the hull to
which the shrouds are attached in order to distribute the strains set up
in the rigging to the boat. CHAINPLATE
COVER-A plate used to cap the area of the deck where the top of
the chainplate protrudes. CHEEK BLOCK-A
block with a base that is fastened to a surface, such as a deck. The
sheave of the block is usually parallel with this base. CLEAT-A fitting to which a line can be
belayed. CLEW-The lower aft corner of the
sail, usually fitted with a cringle for the outhaul. CLEW OUTHAUL-Any device or fitting used to adjust
and secure the clew of the mainsail. Sometimes referred to as the "boom
outhaul". CLEVIS PIN-A pin used to close
the opening of a shackle or clevis. COAMING
PULLEY-See SHEAVE BOX. CRINGLE-A metal ring or grommet around a hole in
the sail for reinforcement. CUNNINGHAM-A
line device or cringle located several inches above the tack of the sail
and used with a downhaul to control the tension along the luff and hence
the shape of the sail. Primarily used in competition craft.
DAGGERBOARD-A vertical plate that sticks
out the bottom of the boat by sliding up and down within the daggerboard
trunk. DAGGERBOARD TRUNK-The case or the
housing in the boat for the daggerboard. DEADEYE-An eye fitting which secures the "deadend"
(knotted or spliced) or standing end of a line. DIAMOND SPREADER; STAY-An intermediate spreader
and stay arrangement to reinforce the mast, with the configuration forming
a "diamond" shape. The stays do not attach to the boat, only to the
mast. DOWNHAUL-Any line designed to haul
down something, for example the downhaul used to pull down on the
gooseneck when on a slide, or a "Cunningham".
EYE STRAP-A metal strap fitting shaped to
form an "eye" which can be used to secure a fitting or line.
FAIRLEAD-Any fitting used to guide or
change direction of a line, giving it a "fair lead" in its travel.
Fairleads pre vent chafing as well. FIDDLE
BLOCK-A block with two sheaves, one above the other, one
usually being smaller than the other. It resembles a "fiddle". FOOT-The lower portion of the sail. FORESTAY-The wire that supports the mast from the
forward side, running from the top or near the top of the mast to the
forward point of the hull. Also used to support the luff of the jib on
sloop rigs.
GENOA ("jenny")-A large oversize jib sail
that overlaps the mainsail. "GO
FASTER"-See BOOM VANG. GOOSENECK-The fitting used to attach the boom to
the mast and which permits the boom to pivot, usually by a universal
joint-type action. The gooseneck can also be used to secure the tack of
the sail. GUDGEONS-Eye fittings used on
the aft end of the boat (or sometimes on the rudder) to receive the
pintles in order for the rudder to pivot.
HALYARDS-The lines used to raise and
lower the sails. External halyards are located outside the mast; internal
halyards pass through the inside of a hollow mast. HALYARD HOOK-A restraining fitting used with wire
rope halyards that have ball joint fittings in order to lock and belay the
ball joint at a predetermined position. HANKS-Clip or snap fittings sewn into the luff of
the jib for attaching the sail to the stay. HEAD-The top corner of the sail. HEADBOARD-The reinforcing member sewn into the
sail at the head, usually fitted with a cringle. HEAD SAIL-Any sail forward of the mast, such as
the jib. "HIKING STICK"-See TILLER
EXTENSION. HOUND-A wraparound strap-type
mast fitting used to secure stays and other fittings to the mast. HYFIELD LEVER-A lever actuator with scissors
action for adjusting tension on stays, halyards, etc. Usually used with
competition craft.
INSIGNIA-The decal or emblem sewn into
the sail to graphically portray the class or design of a boat. Sometimes
in combination with a number which identifies the registry of the
particular boat in the class organization.
JAM CLEAT-Any cleat into which a line can
be "jammed" in order to belay it, as opposed to a cleat, which must have
the line "turned" or wrapped around it. JIB-The sail located forward of the mast.
Sometimes called the "headsail". JIB HALYARD
BLOCK-A block used on jibhead rigs to change direction of the
jib halyard near the head of the jib when it is raised. JIBHEAD RIG-A sloop rig where the forestay does
not reach to the masthead. JIB SHEET-The
line used to control the jib. JUMPER STAY;
STRUT-An arrangement used on jibhead rigs to reinforce the
forward side of the mast at the top. The stay does not attach to the boat
only to the mast.
"KICKING STRAP"-See BOOM VANG.
LATEEN RIG, SAIL-A sail rig with an
unsupported mast, usually short, with a triangular shaped sail attached to
one or two "booms". The upper boom is usually called a "yard". The sail is
not attached to the mast. LEECH-The aft
portion of the sail. LEEWARD-Pronounced
"loo-erd". Downwind, or away from the direction which the wind is
coming. LINE-A length of rope or wire
rope performing some function in the boat. LOOSE
FOOTED-A mainsail attached to the spars only at the tack and
clew in the foot portion so that the foot can form freely to the
wind. LUFF-The forward portion of the
sail.
MAINSAIL-The "main sail" on the boat, or
one located on the aft side of the mast. MAINSHEET-The line used to control the mainsail,
indirectly through controlling the boom position. MAST-The vertical spar used to support the
sails. MASTHEAD-The top of the
mast. MASTHEAD RIG-A sloop rig where the
forestay reaches to the masthead. MAST
RAKE-The angle the mast makes from vertical when viewed in
profile. A mast set exactly vertical has no rake. MAST STEP-The fitting or receptacle that receives
the base of the mast to secure it in position.
NICOPRESS-A patented method used to form
an eye splice in wire rope by the use of special clamping devices.
PAD EYE-An eye fitting with a substantial
base used to secure fittings such as blocks to the deck or cabin
top. PINTLES-The "pins" attached to the
rudder (or sometimes to the boat), which fit into the gudgeons thereby
allowing the rudder to pivot.
REEVE, TO-To reeve is to pass a line
through any aperture such as a block or eye. The past tense is
ROVE. RIG-The configuration of the spars
and sails of a boat. RIG, TO-To put the
spars and related equipment in position so the boat is ready for
sailing. RIGGING-Equipment used to
support the spars and manipulate the sails. ROLLER
REEFING-Equipment that allows the boom to roll thereby furling
the sail onto the boom and reducing sail area, especially in heavy
weather. Reefing means to decrease sail area by folding or furling the
sail. ROACH-The up and outward curve in
the leech of the sail. ROPE-Generally,
any stranded or braided cordage. RUDDER-Device that steers the boat. RUDDER STOP-Device that prevents the rudder from
floating up and out of secure it in position. RUNNING RIGGING-The lines that literally "run" or
move about the boat for use in hoisting, lowering, and controlling the
sails.
SHACKLE-A "U"-shaped link with openable
pin for connecting or attaching various components. SHEAVE-Pronounced "shiv". A grooved wheel or
pulley with axle, used for example in a block, to prevent line wear and to
change direction of the line. SHEAVE
BOX-A fitting with a sheave used at the exit point on a spar
where internal halyards pass through. SHEET-A line used to control directly or
indirectly the trim of a sail. SHEET
LOAD-The direction the line used for the sheets takes. SHROUDS-The stays that support the mast at the
sides. SLOOP-A single masted sailboat
with at least one sail forward of the mast, and one sail aft of the
mast. SNUBBING WINCH-A small winch with
no handle used to control a sheet. SPAR-A
general term for any mast, boom, or other "pole" used to spread out the
sails. SPINNAKER ("chute")-The big
parachute-shaped sail located forward of the mast used mostly on
competition boats on courses before the wind. SPREADERS-Cross members jutting out sideways from
the mast to "spread out" the shrouds in order to reinforce the
mast. STANDING RIGGING-The fixed wires
and ropes that "stand" or stay in position at all times when the mast is
stepped. The standing rigging consists of all the stays. STAYS-The wires that support the mast and
spars. STAY ADJUSTER-A fitting which both
connects the stay to the boat and allows the length of the stay to be
adjusted. It is different from a turnbuckle in that the adjustment
mechanism consists of a series of holes with a clevis pin. STEP, TO-To step the mast means to put the mast in
position on the boat. STEMHEAD-Literally
the head of the boat at the stem, or the farthest forward point on deck.
Generally considered the point where the forestay attaches to the
hull. SWAGE-To press a fitting onto wire
rope by the use of cold dies in pairs. SWIVEL DECK
BLOCK-A block with a base for deck mounting and which allows
the block to swivel to any position and stand vertical in use.
TACK-The lower forward corner of the sail
usually fitted with a cringle. Also means sailing a zigzag
course. TACKLE-A system of blocks and
rope arranged to decrease the effort required to move a load or
object. TANGS-Fittings used to secure
stays to the mast. THIMBLE-A
teardrop-shaped grooved ring in a looped or spliced eye to prevent chafe
and wear in the eye. TILLER-The handle
used to control the rudder. TILLER
EXTENSION-An additional handle connected to the forward end of
the tiller by a pivot or universal-type fitting so the helmsman can
control the rudder when hiking outboard on a tack. TOGGLE-A universal swivel connector used to reduce
bending at the jaws or forks of swaged fittings on wire rope, such as with
stays. TRACK-A formed metal or plastic
rail used to carry fittings or to allow them to move. TRACK SLIDE-A fitting designed to slide along a
track and often to which other fittings are attached, or which may be
connected to a sail for use in hoisting. TRAVELER-A line or fitting which allows the
mainsheet tackle to travel or move from one side of the boat to the
other. TRAVELER BLOCK-A block with two
sheaves and no shackle, one sheave above the other and at right angles to
each other, for use with rope travelers. TURNBUCKLES-A fitting that connects the stay to
the boat and allows adjustment by means of screw threaded barrels.
WHIPPING-The binding agent or method used
on the end of a piece of rope to prevent fraying and unraveling. WINCH-A mechanical revolving drum appliance used
to gain power in hauling or pulling in a line. WINDWARD-Toward the direction from which the wind
is blowing. WIRE ROPE-Rope made from
twisted strands of iron or steel. WORKING
SAILS-The sails used under normal sailing conditions, usually
consisting of the mainsail and the regular or working jib on a sloop
rig.
YACHT BRAID-Special braided rope that is
easy on the hands and resistant to kinks and jamming.
The End
Contents
Sailboat Hardware
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