So much fun!
So yesterday I got to have my very first sailing lesson! It was so much fun. I never knew there were so many different parts on a sailboat such as:
jeez 30 parts and this is a basic sailboat
The sailboat diagram above shows the parts of a sailboat labeled with a number. These numbered parts are each described below.
1. Forestay: The rigging that runs from the bow of the boat to the mast that the jib is attached to.
2. Jib Halyard: The line that is used to raise the jib. It is attached to the jib’s head, runs up to the mast, through a pulley and down the mast to a cleat at the bottom of the mast.
3. Jib’s Head: The top corner of the jib. This is the corner of the sail that is attached to the jib halyard.
4. Jib’s Leech: The after edge of the jib.
5. Jib’s Luff: The forward edge of the jib that is attached to the forestay.
6. Jib: The smaller sail toward the bow of the boat.
7. Jib’s Clew: The lower after corner that attaches to the jib sheets.
8. Jib’s Foot: The bottom edge of the jib.
9. Deck: The top flat surface of the boat.
10. Bow: The front of the boat.
11. Keel: A vertical fin that is weighted and that acts as a counterweight that offsets the force of the wind that is pushing the boat sideways.
12. Jib Sheet: The lines that are attached to the jib’s clew that are used to trim the sail.
13. Hull: The body of the boat.
14. Main Sheet: The lines that are attached to the mainsail’s clew that are used to trim the sail.
15. Stern: The back of the boat.
16. Rudder: The vertical steering foil attached to the stern of the boat.
17. Tiller: The wooden arm that is used to control the direction the rudder is turned.
18. Boom: The horizontal bar (or spar) that is attached to the foot of the mainsail.
19. Eyelet: The circular hole that is at each corner of the sails that is used to attach lines to the sail or to attach the sail to the mast or boom.
20. Main Clew: The lower after corner that attaches to the mainsail sheets.
21. Main Foot: The bottom edge of the mainsail.
22. Main Tack: The lower forward corner of the mainsail.
23. Shroud: The rigging that runs from the top portion of the mast to the side of the boat. This prevents the mast from leaning too far to the side.
24. Main Leech: The after edge of the mainsail.
25. Main Luff: The forward edge of the mainsail that is attached to the mast.
26. Mainsail: The sail that is hoisted up the mast and attached to the boom.
27. Batten: A plastic or wooden slat that is attached to the sail that prevents the sail from losing its shape.
28. Main Head: The top corner of the mainsail. This is the corner of the sail that is attached to the main halyard.
29. Main Halyard: The line that is used to raise the mainsail. It is attached to the mainsail’s head, runs up to the mast, through a pulley and down the mast to a cleat at the bottom of the mast.
30. Mast: The long vertical spar that runs up the center of the boat and to which the sails are attached.
This sailboat diagram is of a typical sloop. This is a great boat to start with when learning to sail.
Sorry cheesy I know but this is the label it came up with that was the easiest to learn. Anyway so tomorrow we are actually going to go out into the ocean a bit of the way and we are also working on capsize recover.
Peace out people!
roo said,
March 5, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Can you please explain to me what the idendifing letters mean that correspond with the rigging on a sail boat. ie for example. I=39’4″ J=12′.50 or P=13’3″. Thank you for your time and your help.
Roo
Rhi said,
March 7, 2010 at 5:56 pm
I am not exactly sure what you mean
John said,
March 11, 2010 at 4:54 am
http://www.secondwindsails.com/measurement.php
I, J, and P (and E) define the maximum sail dimensions of a sailboat design.
Main sail track fitting (the part that runs inside the mast) is P. The side that runs along the boom is E.
I and J are used for the Headsails. Checkout the site noted above to learn more.
Chris said,
May 25, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Thanks for posting this! I’m homeschooling my 6 year old son and tomorrow I’m teaching a sailing unit for him and some friends. This will be great.
Rhi said,
October 20, 2010 at 9:19 am
No Problem
Symba said,
May 25, 2011 at 10:27 am
Thank you for this diagram! It was great for my brother and I to learn and quiz each other on sailboats!
Rhi said,
June 13, 2011 at 5:03 am
You’re welcome
Glad to have helped.