ASA 101: Sails, Sail Parts and Sail Controls

ASA 101: Sails, Sail Parts and Sail Controls


1. Mainsail: The sail hoisted on the aft (back side) of the
mast and attached to the boom
2. Jib/Genoa: A triangular sail set forward of the mainmast
3. Head: The top of a sail
4. Tack: The forward lower corner of a sail
5. Clew: The aft lower corner of a sail
6. Foot: The bottom edge of a sail
7. Luff: The forward edge of a sail
8. Leech: The after edge of a sail
9. Downhaul or Cunningham: A line used to tension the
luff of a sail by pulling down the boom at the
gooseneck.
10. Batten: A slat inserted in the leech of a sail to
support the sailcloth
11. Batten pocket: A pocket sewn into the sail to hold a
batten
12. Bolt rope: A rope sewn into the edge of a sail, often
used to attach it to the mast or boom
13. Hank: A metal clip or fabric tab used to attach a sai
luff to a stay
14. Running Rigging: The adjustable rigging used to raise
and lower or trim the sails
15. Halyard: A rope used to raise or lower a sail
16. Mainsheet: The controlling line for the mainsail.
17. Jibsheets: A line attached to the clew of a jib used to
adjust its angle to the wind
18. Boom Topping Lift: A line or wire that supports a
boom when it is not being supported by its sail
19. Boom Vang: An item of running rigging, often a block
and tackle, used to hold down the boom.
20. Telltale: A short length of light yarn or similar
material attached to a sail to indicate the flow of air
across it and thus the state of the sail's trim
21. Outhaul: A line used to tension the foot of the mainsai
22. Traveler: A car and track system that allows the
mainsheet's attachment point to the deck to be moved
athwartships.
23. Shackle: A closable metal connector used in rigging
24. Roller Furler: A mechanism for furling a sail by rolling
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