Sailing Terms - standing rigging

Fractional rig

A design of sailboat rigging in which the forstay is attached below the top of the mast, and the mast is stepped slightly forward of a typical masthead rig.

Turnbuckle

A mechanism with a threaded opening at both ends which connects to a shroud or stay, and by turning closed, draws the ends together and puts tension on the gear.

Tang

A metal plate fastened to the mast to which shrouds are connected.

Boomkin

A mizzen boom hanging well over the stern of a yawl or ketch. Bumkin

Jumper stay

A short stay mounted on the forward part of the upper mast to brace against the force of the backstay. The jumper is fastened at a tang near the masthead, leads over a short jumper strut then back to another tang on the upper mast forming a strong triangle.

Spreader

A spar on a sailboat used to deflect the shrouds to allow them to better support the mast.

Triatic stay

A stay connecting the mastheads of a multi-masted rig such as a schooner or ketch.

Chainplate

A stout metal strap bolted to the hull so that the top protrudes above deck level, to which the shrouds are secured.

Bowsprit

A sturdy spar projecting forward over the bow to which the forestay is fastened providing a wide bearing angle for support of the mast, and offering additional space on which sails can be rigged.

Masthead Rig

A style of sailboat rigging in which the forstay is fastened at the top of the mast.

Martingale

A wire or chain leading from the end of the bowsprit down to a chainplate at the forefoot, to counteract the upward pressure of the forestay. aka bobstay

Bobstay

A wire or chain leading from the end of the bowsprit down to a chainplate at the forefoot, to counteract the upward pressure of the forestay. aka martingale

Running backstay

Cables supporting the mast which can be slackened on the lee side to allow for the swing of the boom, and made taut again as the vessel tacks.

Rake

Describing the angle a mast makes with the deck

Forestay

Long lines or cables, reaching from the front of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.

Backstays

Long lines or cables, reaching from the rear of the vessel to the mast heads, used to support the mast.

Stay

Rigging running fore (forestay) and aft (backstay) from a mast to the hull.

Lower Shrouds

Shrouds that runs from deck to spreader. Can be fore and aft.

Upper Shrouds

Shrouds that runs from topy of sale via spreader to deck

Shrouds

Standing rigging running from a mast to the sides of a ships.

Headstay

The most forward of the forestays providing support to the top of the mast.

Standing rigging

Wires bracing the fixed spars of a sailboat, such as shrouds, fore and backstays, bobstay