Practical Boat-Sailing: A Concise and Simple Treatise

by Douglas Frazar

The main topmast (d d), which is fitted to the head of the mainmast, and terminates at its upper end in a small ball, called the truck, through the sides of which are fitted little sheaves (i.e., wheels), by means of which, and the use of a small-sized rope, called signal-halliards, the flag, or private signal of the boat, is hoisted to the topmast's head, and displayed.

This spar also serves to sustain the gaff-topsail (3), which is hoisted and lowered along its length by a series of hoops encircling the spar. This sail, as a rule, is set and furled from the top.

The bowsprit (h), which projects from the bow of the boat, and serves to support the mainmast by means of a stay (g g) leading from its outer end to the mainmast head, and another stay, called the bobstay (f), to the prow of the boat. The jib-stay (g g) serves to hoist and set the jib (2) upon,—the most important sail, after the mainsail.

The jib-boom (i), which extends out beyond the bowsprit, its heel being made fast to the latter, and, by means of stays, supports the mainmast and main-topmast; and upon the inner one of these is hoisted and set the outer or flying jib (4), the other (k) supporting the main-topmast, and called the main-topmast stay.

The main-gaff (e e), which sustains and stretches the head of the mainsail, which is securely lashed to it by means of small seizings, or lashings.

The main-boom (b b), which receives and stretches the foot of the mainsail, to which it is securely lashed.

The above constitute the main spars and sails of a boat of the sloop rig.

To enable one to understand all that follows, it will be necessary to acquire a little more information concerning these spars and sails, and the names and uses of the principal ropes, sheets, &c.

As the reader faces the cut, and glances at the mainsail (1), he should remember that the head of the sail is that part fastened to the gaff; and the foot, that part of the sail fastened to the boom. The outer-leach, or after-leach, that part of the sail which extends from the end of the gaff to the end of the boom farthest removed from the mainmast. The inner-leach, or luff, is that part of the sail which extends from the gaff to the boom, and is confined to the mainmast by hoops that embrace it, and allow of the sail being hoisted and lowered at will.