"control lines are mainly referred to as sheets (e.g. jibsheet). A halyard, for example, is a line used to raise and lower a sail, and is typically made of a length of rope with a shackle attached at one end. Other examples include clothesline, chalk line, anchor line (""rode""), stern line, fishing line, marline and so on. Rope A rope is a group of yarns, plies, fibers or strands that are twisted or braided together into a larger and stronger form. Ropes have tensile strength and so can be used for dragging and lifting. Rope is thicker and stronger than"
"Halyard In sailing, a halyard or halliard is a line (rope) that is used to hoist a ladder, sail, flag or yard. The term ""halyard"" comes from the phrase, 'to haul yards'. Halyards, like most other parts of the running rigging, were classically made of natural fibre like manila or hemp. Halyards can be attached a number of ways to the head of a triangular sail. The most common methods are as follows: The other end of the halyard is usually attached to the mast at its foot by way of a cleat. It is convention in some places to"
"Bolt rope A bolt rope (Variants: ""bolt-rope"" and ""boltrope"", French: ""ralingue"", Spanish: ""relinga"", Old Norse: *""rár-línk"", comprising ""rár"" genitive of ""rá"" ""rope"" and ""línk"" ""edge of a sail ""), is the rope that is sewn at the edges of the sail to reinforce them, or to fix the sail into a groove in the boom or in the mast. Fore-and-aft sails often have bolt ropes on the leading edge (luff) where they attach to the mast and the bottom edge (foot) where they attach to the boom, which provide the terms, ""luff bolt rope"" and ""foot bolt rope"". They also"
"Running rigging Running rigging is the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering, shaping and controlling the sails on a sailing vessel—as opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and bowsprit. Running rigging varies between vessels that are rigged fore and aft and those that are square-rigged. In centuries past, a ship's rigging was typically fashioned from rope. In the 19th century this was commonly referred to as Manilla, a reference to the origin of much good quality rope. Traditionally the running rigging was easily recognized since, for flexibility, it was not coated with"
"raise sails are called ""halyards"" while those that strike them are called ""downhauls"". Lines that adjust (trim) the sails are called ""sheets"". These are often referred to using the name of the sail they control (such as ""main sheet"" or ""jib sheet""). Sail trim may also be controlled with smaller lines attached to the forward section of a boom such as a cunningham; a line used to hold the boom down is called a ""vang"", or a ""kicker"" in the United Kingdom. A ""topping lift"" is used to hold a boom up in the absence of sail tension. ""Guys"" are"
"the vessel is directly above the anchor; at this point the anchor chain is ""up and down"", in naval parlance. If necessary, motoring slowly around the location of the anchor also helps dislodge it. Anchors are sometimes fitted with a tripping line attached to the crown, by which they can be unhooked from rocks or coral. The term ""aweigh"" describes an anchor when it is hanging on the rope and is not resting on the bottom. This is linked to the term ""to weigh anchor"", meaning to lift the anchor from the sea bed, allowing the ship or boat to"
"Trapeze (sailing) In sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew member's harness at approximately waist level. The position when extended on the trapeze is outside the hull, braced against it (or an extension of it outwards) with the soles of the feet, facing the masthead, and clipped on by a hook on the trapeze harness. This gives the crew member more leverage to keep the boat flat by allowing the crew member's centre of gravity to balance the force"
"Footrope Each yard on a square or gaff rigged sailing ship is equipped with a footrope for sailors to stand on while setting or stowing the sails. Formerly, the footrope was the rope sewn along the lower edge of a square sail, and the rope below the yards was called the horse or Flemish horse. These terms will be encountered when reading the classic 18th and 19th century sailing manuals, and may still be used today when referring to older ships. Although square sails are mostly worked from the deck, in order to be properly stowed (and released from this"
"to be hauled up or let go. Because the footrope provides a rather narrow area to stand on, it can cause sore feet after a while. Modern sailors joining a tall ship are advised to take footwear with a solid sole that will spread the load, rather than the flexible deck shoes and seaboots used on yachts. Footrope Each yard on a square or gaff rigged sailing ship is equipped with a footrope for sailors to stand on while setting or stowing the sails. Formerly, the footrope was the rope sewn along the lower edge of a square sail, and"
"stories of such systems releasing unexpectedly have caused many to shun them in favour of traditional fixed hooks. There are counterclaims for the origin of the device: Trapeze (sailing) In sailing, the trapeze refers to a wire that comes from a point high on the mast, usually where the shrouds are fixed, to a hook on the crew member's harness at approximately waist level. The position when extended on the trapeze is outside the hull, braced against it (or an extension of it outwards) with the soles of the feet, facing the masthead, and clipped on by a hook on"
"Gasket (sailing) In sailing, gaskets are lengths of rope or fabric used to hold a stowed sail in place. In modern use, the term is usually restricted to square-rigged ships, the equivalent items on yachts being referred to by the more prosaic ""sail ties"". On most ships, gaskets are made of rope. They are attached to the top of the yard and, left loose, would hang behind the sail. Gaskets should never be left dangling, however, so when the sail is set they are brought around underneath the yard and up the back of it and then tied to the"
"Topping lift The topping lift (more rarely known as an uphaul) is a line which applies upward force on a boom on a sailboat. Part of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when the sail is lowered. This line would run from near the free end of the boom(s) forward to the top of the mast. The line may be run over a block at the top of the mast and down to the deck to allow it to be adjusted. For small booms, the topping lift may be run from end of"
"developed for use in safety-critical applications. The bowline's name has an earlier meaning, dating to the age of sail. On a square-rigged ship, a bowline (sometimes spelled as two words, ""bow line"") is a rope that holds the edge of a square sail towards the bow of the ship and into the wind, preventing it from being taken aback. A ship is said to be on a ""taut bowline"" when these lines are made as taut as possible in order to sail close-hauled to the wind. The bowline knot is thought to have been first mentioned in John Smith's 1691"
"Capstan (nautical) A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine developed for use on sailing ships to multiply the pulling force of seamen when hauling ropes, cables, and hawsers. The principle is similar to that of the windlass, which has a horizontal axle. The word, connected with the Old French ""capestan"" or ""cabestan(t)"", from Old Provençal ""cabestan"", from ""capestre"" ""pulley cord,"" from Latin ""capistrum"", -a halter, from ""capere"", to take hold of, seems to have come into English (14th century) from Portuguese or Spanish shipmen at the time of the Crusades. Both device and word are considered Spanish inventions. In its"
"its original twist, as it is sewn in place, to avoid distorting the edge of the sail. He observed that, ""Many a well-cut sail is spoiled by the roping."" Bolt rope A bolt rope (Variants: ""bolt-rope"" and ""boltrope"", French: ""ralingue"", Spanish: ""relinga"", Old Norse: *""rár-línk"", comprising ""rár"" genitive of ""rá"" ""rope"" and ""línk"" ""edge of a sail ""), is the rope that is sewn at the edges of the sail to reinforce them, or to fix the sail into a groove in the boom or in the mast. Fore-and-aft sails often have bolt ropes on the leading edge (luff) where"
"Boom vang A boom vang (US) or kicking strap (UK) is a line or piston system on a sailboat used to exert downward force on the boom and thus control the shape of the sail. The Collins English Dictionary defines it as ""A rope or tackle extended from the boom of a fore-and-aft mainsail to a deck fitting of a vessel when running, in order to keep the boom from riding up"". The vang typically runs from the base of the mast to a point about a third of the way out the boom. Due to the great force necessary"
"Rigging Rigging comprises the system of ropes, cables and chains, which support a sailing ship or sail boat's masts—""standing rigging"", including shrouds and stays—and which adjust the position of the vessel's sails and spars to which they are attached—the ""running rigging"", including halyards, braces, sheets and vangs. According to the Encyclopædia Britannica Eleventh Edition ""rigging"" derives from Anglo-Saxon ""wrigan"" or ""wringing"", ""to clothe"". The same source points out that ""rigging"" a sailing vessel refers to putting all the components in place to allow it to function, including the masts, spars, sails and the rigging. Rigging is divided into two classes,"
"or bone. The marlinspike may be a separate tool or one item on a pocket knife. Sailors who become proficient at knot tying, splicing, and sewing using the marlinspike are said to have mastered marlinespike seamanship, earning them the right to be known as ""marlin spikes"" or ""marlinspike seamen"". Marlinspikes are used: ""Marlinspike"" derives from the practice of ""marling"", winding small diameter twine called marline around larger ropes to form protective whippings. The long-billed fish marlin is named after the marlinspike. Marlinspike Marlinspike (; sometimes marlin spike, marlinespike, or the archaic marlingspike/marling-spike) is a tool used in marine ropework. Shaped"
"Snotter A snotter is a rope or tackle used in sailing to tension the sprit on a spritsail, or a sprit boom on a sprit-boomed sail by pulling the lower end towards the mast. It is also used in a junk rig. There are a great many variations on the snotter arrangement, and some more fastidious authors have referred to it as a ""snouter"" or ""snorter"". The origin of the nautical term is obscure. Hauling on the snotter sets the tension in the spar and thus governs how the sail is set. On very small boats, typically with a single"
"raise the sail up the mast. Symmetric spinnakers have the windward clew secured to a spinnaker pole. The pole is attached to the mast and holds the windward edge of the sail in position. Lines that control the spinnaker pole are called ""guys"" or ""braces"". The spinnaker pole may be allowed to raise and lower with the force of the wind, or it may have lines attached to it to raise (the ""topping lift"") and lower (the ""foreguy"" or ""downhaul"") the angle of the pole. If these lines are used, they are generally set up before setting sail, and left"
"sail and cause it to lose its shape. When tacking, the new windward lift must be tightened and the new leeward lift let out. A topping lift may also refer to a line on the front of the mast used to rig the spinnaker pole. It is used to trim the pole to the proper height when hoisting the spinnaker. Topping lift The topping lift (more rarely known as an uphaul) is a line which applies upward force on a boom on a sailboat. Part of the running rigging, topping lifts are primarily used to hold a boom up when"
"Trysail A trysail (also known as a ""spencer"") is a small triangular or square fore-and-aft rigged sail hoisted in place of a larger sail when winds are very high. The trysail provides enough thrust to maintain control of the ship (e.g. to avoid ship damage, and to keep the bow to the wind). It is hoisted abaft (i.e., directly behind) the mainmast (taking the place of the much larger mainsail) or, on a brig, abaft the foremast. In the Royal Navy in the late nineteenth century, the term ""trysail"" came to denote the main fore-and-aft sail on any mast. This"
"Ropework Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are traditional umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope. While the skill of a sailor in the Age of Sail was often judged by how well he knew marlinespike seamanship, the knowledge it embraces involving docking a craft, towing, making repairs underway, and more is still critical for modern seafarers. A whipping knot is a means of holding the cut end of a rope together to prevent fraying and ensure ease of use. Constrictor"
"Brace (sailing) A brace on a square-rigged ship is a rope (""line"") used to rotate a yard around the mast, to allow the ship to sail at different angles to the wind. Braces are always used in pairs, one at each end of a yard (""yardarm""), termed port brace and starboard brace of a given yard or sail (e.g., the starboard main-brace is the brace fixed to the right end of the yard of the main sail). The braces are fixed to the outer ends of the yards, and are led to the deck as far aft as possible, to"
"through the other and hooked to an eyehook. The tightened knot looks like a cow hitch. A cow hitch and bowline can achieve the same effect and are called a ""cow hitch hoist"". The barrel hitch for lifting bales of hay is called a ""bale sling hitch"". Though the barrel hitch will keep an object upright even if the rope is made to swing, it is important to note that strong jerking movements while raising or lowering can easily dislodge the sling. Barrel hitch The ""barrel hitch"" and ""barrel sling"", named for their use in hoisting cargo aboard ships, are"
"The vessel is attached to the anchor by the ""rode"" (commonly called ""cable"" when made of rope, and made of chain in larger vessels), or a combination of these. The ratio of the length of rode to the water depth is known as the scope; generally, the rode should be between 5 and 10 times the depth of the seabed, giving a scope of 5:1 or 10:1; the larger the number, the shallower the angle is between the cable and the seafloor, and the less upwards force is acting on the anchor. A 10:1 scope gives the greatest holding power,"
"is said to be ""in its gear"", that is ready for setting or stowing. To set the sail the clewlines and buntlines are let go, and the sheets (attached to the bottom corners - clews - of the sail) are adjusted to shape the sail to best catch the wind. A device called a ""tye"", a ""tye chain"", or a ""tye rope"" is used for lifting a given yard to the top of its travel to set the sail. To stop using (i.e., to ""hand"") the sail, the sheets are released and the clewlines and buntlines are pulled tight. The"
"Rowlock A rowlock , sometimes spur (due to the similarity in shape and size), oarlock (USA) or gate (Australia) is a brace that attaches an oar to a boat. When a boat is rowed, the rowlock acts as a fulcrum, and, in doing so, the propulsive force that the rower exerts on the water with the oar is transferred to the boat by the thrust force exerted on the rowlock. On ordinary rowing craft, the rowlocks are attached to the gunwales. In the sport of rowing, the rowlocks are attached to outriggers (often just called ""riggers""), which project from the"
"bow section of a ship that the anchor chain passes through. Hawsepiper refers to climbing up the hawsepipe, a nautical metaphor for climbing up the ship's rank structure. Hawsepiper is considered a positive term when said respectfully. Most hawsepipers are proud of their background and use the term to describe themselves. Several merchant seamen’s unions offer their membership the required training to help them advance. Similarly, some employers offer financial assistance to pay for employee training. Otherwise, the mariner is responsible for the cost of the required training. There have been complaints that the hawsepiper progression path has been made"
"Parasailing Parasailing, also known as parascending or parakiting, is a recreational kiting activity where a person is towed behind a vehicle (usually a boat) while attached to a specially designed canopy wing that reminds one of a parachute, known as a parasail wing. The manned kite's moving anchor may be a car, truck, or boat. The harness attaches the pilot to the parasail, which is connected to the boat, or land vehicle, by the tow rope. The vehicle then drives off, carrying the parascender (or wing) and person into the air. If the boat is powerful enough, two or three"
"raised no higher than the first point a rope or wire was required to keep the mast upright. Mainsail A mainsail is a sail located behind the main mast of a sailing vessel. On a square rigged vessel, it is the lowest and largest sail on the main mast. On a fore-and-aft rigged vessel, it is the lowest and largest and often the only sail rigged aft of the main mast, and is controlled along its foot by a spar known as the boom. A sail rigged in this position without a boom is generally called a trysail, and is"
"a type of hardware that can be attached to most large, heavy, or bulky objects to provide a feature on the item to which material handling equipment can attach. Lifting grapples sometimes double as tie downs, allowing heavy items to be held firmly in place by providing a point to which ropes or chains can be attached to the item to hold it in place. The term ""grapple"" is also used in the surfboard industry to refer to a leash connector. Grapple (tool) A grapple is a hook or claw used to catch or hold something. A ship's anchor is"
"""cable."" Lines that are attached to sails to control their shapes are called ""sheets"", as in ""mainsheet"". If a rope is made of wire, it maintains its rope name as in 'wire rope' halyard. Lines (generally steel cables) that support masts are stationary and are collectively known as a vessel's standing rigging, and individually as ""shrouds"" or ""stays"". The stay running forward from a mast to the bow is called the ""forestay"" or ""headstay"". Stays running aft are backstays or after stays. Moveable lines that control sails or other equipment are known collectively as a vessel's running rigging. Lines that"