SPARS
SAILS
Things Riggers Do
Hardware and Gear
Potpourri
100

A short spar from the bow pointing forward that extends the forestay further forward.

What is a Bowsprit

100

The flat stick that helps the trailing edge of the mainsail hold it's shape.

What is a batten?

100

Adjusting the standing rigging to achieve an optimal mast shape.

What is tuning?

100

Pulleys installed in a mast or boom for halyards or other lines.

What is a sheave?

100

The fitting to which standing rigging attaches to a boat.

What is a chain plate?
200
Hold the foot of the mainsail.

What is the boom?

200

Synthetic fibre used to make sailcloth for its durability and lower cost.

What is Dacron?

200

The term used to describe climbing a mast.

What is going aloft?

200

A fixed ring used to help lead a line.

What is a fairlead?

200

Devices used to roll up sails.

What are furlers?

300

A fitting on a mast to which rigging attaches.

What is a tang?

300

This is the aft loose edge of a sail.

What is the leech?

300

Setting up a mast in place in a sailing vessel.

What is stepping?

300

Athwartships track with a sliding car to adjust the angle of the mainsheet.

What is the traveller?

300

Term used to describe a mast that goes through a deck into the cabin of the boat.

What is keel stepped?

400

An adjustable spar used to hold out the clew of a 'flying sail'.

What is a spinnaker pole?

400

The general term for jibs and genoas.

What is a headsail?
400

Attaching end terminals to wires using pressure.

What is swaging?

400

Horned fitting that holds a line in place. 

What is a cleat?

400

A threaded fitting to apply tension to standing rigging.

What is a turnbuckle?

500

Swivel fitting that connects the boom to the mast.

What is a gooseneck?

500

The term used to describe the adjustment of sails to optimize performance.

What is to trim?

500

Manipulating the weave of rope to create an eye or joining it to another rope.

What is splicing?

500

A pin with two legs which get bent apart to hold a pin in place.

What is a cotter pin?

500

This controls the height of the boom and can effect mainsail performance.

What is a vang?