Name

Meaning

Becket

Fitting on a turning block for attaching the end of a line.

Bridge

Fiberglass molding in the cockpit used for supporting the traveller and control line cleats.

Bullet Block

A small pulley used for control lnes.

Cam Cleat

Device to control lines. Consists of two moving cams which close against each other to pinch the line.

Chain Plate

Fittings at the gunwale for attaching the shrouds

Clam Cleat

Device to control lines. No moving parts

Clew

Lower aft corner of the mainsail and jib. Lower corners of the spinnaker.

Cunningham

Control line for tensioning the forward edge (luff) of the mainsail.

Foot

Bottom edge of the sail.

Gelcoat

Pigmented polyester resin (plastic) on the outside of hull surfaces. Used to protect the fiberglass from ultraviolet light.

Guy

Sheet attached to the windward spinnaker clew.

Head

Top corner of any sail. Also the top of the mast.

Heel

Bottom of the mast.

Hounds

Fitting on the mast for attaching the shrouds and forestay.

Lazarette

Storage compartment under the aft deck

Leech

Aft edge of the mainsail and jib.

Luff

Forward edge of the mainsail and jib. Also, windward leech of the spinnaker when it is flying.

Masthead Fly

Wind indicator, flown from the top of the mast.

Partners

Fitting attached to the forward cockpit bulkhead for bracing the mast.

Preventer

Light wire, line or shock cord between diamond spreader tips and main shrouds.

Ratchet Block

Block that turns in only one direction, enabling sheets to be held under load.

Roller Reefing

Means of furling the jib by rotating the luff usually via means of a drum at the tack of the sail.

Running Rigging

Lines for controlling sails, e.g. sheets, traveller, twing lines and vang.

Spinnaker Launcher

Tube between foredeck and cockpit for retracting the spinnaker. Also called spinnaker chute.

Spreader

Metal struts attached to mast and the shrouds.

Standing Rigging

Rigging for supporting the mast when it is up for sailing, ie forestay, backstay and shrouds.

Step

Frame formed by keel braces and bolts for supporting the mast heel.

Tack

Lower forward corner of the jib and mainsail. Also, the windward clew (corner) of the spinnaker when it is hoisted.

Tank

Deck and bulkheads that form the cockpit sides.

Twing

Control line running freely along the spinnaker sheet. When trimmed, leads the sheet to the deck near the chainplates.

Topping Lift

Line for controlling spinnaker pole height

Transom

Aft facing surface of the hull

Vang

Arrangement for letting boom lift under wind pressure