What Are Rigging Sails on a Boat?

Rigging sails refers to the apparatus and action required to propel a sail boat. Depending on a sailboat's size, the rigging and amount of sails required increase in relation to the boat's mass and length. When rigging is prepared correctly, the combination of sails are used to manipulate the force of wind to create forward movement in a sailboat. Rigging can be adjusted throughout a boat to counter any changes in wind force and flow, so a boat can stay on its forward course.

  1. Parts of Rigging

    • Rigging apparatus is broken down into three basic categories; cordage, sails and spars. Each particular piece of gear plays a major role in the construction of the sailboat, as well as in the propulsion and maneuvering of a vessel while working in concert with one other.

    Cordage

    • This is an example of running cordage.

      Cordage comprises the ropes and cables use to connect the sails to the spars. Cordage is identified either as running or standing cordage. Running cordage refers to halyard and sheet lines that are attached to sails and run through a series of pulleys and clips to further manipulate the position of the sail. Running cordage is manufactured in both rope or a synthetic equivalents. Standing cordage refers to the cables used in a fixed position, most notably the cable rigs the mast to the deck. Standing cordage was traditionally manufactured from the same material as running lines, but is now almost exclusively made from steel cable.

    Sails

    • Sails are most notably manufactured from canvas and other synthetic fibers, along with hemp.

      The sails on a boat each have different functions in relation to one another, as well as to the boat rigging as a whole. By catching wind within the web of sails on a boat, a sailor can effectively manipulate the air currents surrounding the boat and propel the vessel. The types of sails on a boat are categorized as either the mainsails or the headsails. The mainsail is connected to the mast and is instrumental in determining the direction of the vessel. Headsails are made up of a series of complimentary sails such as the jib, genoa or spinnaker geared towards the propulsion of the boat. Sails are primarily made from canvas, para-aramid synthetic fiber, polyester and hemp

    Types of Sails

    • This is a jib and mainsail in action.

      The jib and genoa sails are both triangularly shaped sails tacked to the mast and the bowspirit, or bow, of the vessel. The genoa differs in construction than the jib in that it tends to overlap the mast and mainsail. The spinnaker is used specifically for sailing downwind. Positioned for use when wind is 90 to 180 degrees off the bow, a spinnaker allows a ship's captain and crew to reach course by manipulating the headwinds off the mainsail to foster forward movement.

    Spars

    • Sails are rigged to spars, such as the mast.

      Spars refer to the structural apparatus on a sailboat, such as beams, yards, masts and booms, as well as the slides and hanks that both support and manipulate the sails performance. Spars are made of solid or hollow material that should be flexible enough to support movement of the sail, without it breaking or coming apart. While spars can be made of wood or steel, increasingly aluminum and composite fiber materials are used to manufacture these parts to ensure a lower center of gravity and greater stability to a sailboat.