In case the reader may be ignorant of the meaning of nautical terms, it may be well to say here that by “stem” is meant the piece of timber in the hull placed farthest forward, also called “forefoot” and “cutwater.” The “fore-stay” may be passed through the staple already mentioned, which fastens the bowsprit to the hull. The jib-stay passes from mast-head to outer end of bowsprit.
The topmast-stay runs from the top of the topmast to the forward end of the bowsprit; here it is sometimes passed through a hole in the end, and brought down to the forefoot, near the water line.
The bob-stay runs from the end of the bowsprit to the stem, and acts as a brace to offset the strain of the “headsails,” or the sails in front of the mast. In a large yacht it is necessary that this stay be very strong; and in such cases it is often a substantial strip of iron or steel.
A yacht has, also, what are called “backstays,” which run on either side from head of “topmast” to points on the sides somewhat abaft, or back of the places where the shrouds are attached.
There are also “cross-trees,” with “topmast shrouds” leading from them to the top of the topmast; but these, as well as the backstays, may as well be dispensed with by our juvenile naval architect, as a complication of unnecessary cords is to be avoided on a miniature craft.
We must now take up the sails, the most important of which is the mainsail. The shape of this may be sufficiently well understood from the figure. The edge next the mast is called the “luff,” while the outer or longer side opposite to this is called the “leech.” The upper and lower edges are called respectively the “head” and “foot.” The lower after corner of this sail is called the “clew,” the lower fore corner the “tack,” while the upper after corner is called the “peak.”
The “mast-hoops” are attached to the “luff” and run up and down the mast as the sail is raised or lowered. In vessels of miniature size, these may be supplied by small brass curtain rings. The “foresail” also runs on small rings or loops which slide on the forestay. The jib, in like manner, is attached to the “jib-stay”; the “jib-topsail” or “flying-jib” to topmast-stay.
It may be well to dispense with the forestay, and to enlarge the jib so as to occupy the additional space thus given, as the work will be less, and the appearance quite as good.
It now remains to consider the “gaff-topsail,” which occupies the space between the topmast and the gaff. This sail is set in quite a number of ways; in a sloop yacht it is usual to stretch it on two light spars, which are contiguous to mast and gaff.
Beside these, racing yachts in light winds carry a “balloon jib,” which is simply an extremely large jib-topsail; and a “spinnaker,” which is used in going before the wind. It is shaped like a large jib, and is spread by means of a small spar extending along its foot, called the “spinnaker boom,” so that it may take the wind on the side opposite the mainsail.