Skin. The part of a sail which is outside and covers the rest when it is furled. Also, familiarly, the sides of the hold; as, an article is said to be stowed next the skin.
Skysail. A light sail next above the royal. (See Plate 2.)
Sky-scraper. A name given to a skysail when it is triangular.
Slabline. A small line used to haul up the foot of a course.
Slack. The part of a rope or sail that hangs down loose.
Slack in stays, said of a vessel when she works slowly in tacking.
Sleepers. The knees that connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship's quarter.
Sling. To set a cask, spar, gun, or other article, in ropes, so as to put on a tackle and hoist or lower it.
Slings. The ropes used for securing the centre of a yard to the mast.
Yard-slings are now made of iron. Also, a large rope fitted so as to go round any article which is to be hoisted or lowered.