GLOSSARY
Aft:
Back of the boat
Backstay:
Support at the back of the boat to the top of the mast used to
control the mast bend, and support the mast.
Bow
: Front of the boat
Burgee
: Wind indicator usually a flag
Batten
: A thin stiffening strip in the sail to support the leech
Boom
: A spar at the foot of the sail
Cleat:
A fitting used for holding / securing ropes
Clew:
Back lower corner of a sail
Cunningham:
an eye in the sail above the tack of the sail
Foot
: Bottom of the sail
Forestay
: The wire supporting the mast at the bow of the boat
Gennaker
: Isometric sail hoisted when sailing downwind
Gennaker pole
; the Pole, which extends to fly the gennaker tack from.
Gunwale:
The outermost edge of the boat
Gudgeon
: Fitting on the transom and rudder used to hang rudder
Granny rail
; The stainless steel rail on the side of the boat.
Gnav
: Used to control the leech twist and shape of the sails can be referred to
as Vang.
Head
: Top of sail
Halyard
: A rope or wire used to lower or hoist sails
Jib
: Front sail
Jib Sheet
: Control rope for the jib
Leech:
Trailing edge of the sail
Luff:
The front edge of the sail
Mast Heel
: The fitting at the base of the mast
Mast step
; The fitting on the boat where the mast heel is located
Shrouds
: Wire supporting the mast
V1 / D3 – Main shroud
V2 / D4 – Cap shrouds
V1 – Lower shrouds
V2 – 2
nd
set of lowers
Spreaders;
Metal struts placed in pairs to support the mast side ways and
control the bend in the mast.
Stern
: Back of the boat
Stem fitting
: Stainless fitting at the bow which the forestay attaches.
Tack
: Forward lower corner of the sail
Traveller:
The track that runs side to side that controls the mainsail side ways
in the boat. Used in conjunction with the mainsheet.
Vang:
Otherwise known as the Kicking strap, Gnav.
