Standing rigging, running rigging, sail types, furlers, winches, and mast hardware.
25 articles
Blocks are pulleys used throughout a sailboat's rigging system to redirect lines and provide mechanical advantage. They can be fixed, swi…
A boom preventer is a line or system that prevents the boom from an accidental gybe when sailing downwind. It typically consists of a str…
The boom vang is a system used to control the vertical angle of the boom and the twist of the mainsail. It can range from a simple block-…
Canvas covers include mainsail covers, dodgers, biminis, winch covers and other protective fabric items. Sail bags are heavy-duty bags de…
Chainplates are metal plates (usually stainless steel) that connect the standing rigging to the boat's hull structure. They transfer the…
Rope clutches, also called jammers or stoppers, are mechanical devices that grip and hold lines under load, allowing them to be removed f…
Control lines are part of the running rigging used to adjust sail shape and trim. The outhaul pulls the mainsail clew along the boom. The…
Deck organizers are multi-sheave blocks or lead systems designed to route multiple control lines from the mast area back to the cockpit.…
Furling systems let sails be rolled up for easy handling. They can wrap around a rotating forestay (for headsails), inside the mast or bo…
The gooseneck is the fitting that links the boom to the mast. The assembly typically includes a pin or bolt along with attachment hardwar…
Halyards are the lines used to raise and lower sails including the main halyard, jib halyard, spinnaker halyard and topping lift. Sheets…
Lazy jacks are lines that run from partway up the mast down to the boom, creating a cradle on both sides of the mainsail. They can be tem…
The mast and boom are spars, typically made of wood, aluminum, or carbon fiber, that support and control the mainsail. The mast is the ve…
Reefing gear encompasses all systems used to reduce sail area in heavy weather. On mainsails, this usually involves reef lines running fr…
Running backstays (sometimes called runners or checkstays) are adjustable backstays that run from high on the mast down to the deck, usua…
Sail slides are plastic or metal fittings that attach the luff or foot of the sail to the mast or boom track, allowing the sail to be rai…
Sails are the airfoils that capture wind energy and convert it to forward motion. Modern sails are highly engineered structures made from…
Shrouds and stays are the fixed lines (made of wire, rod, or high-strength rope) that support the mast and control its bend characteristi…
Spare lines are extra lengths of rope kept aboard for emergencies or to replace worn lines. A proper spare line inventory includes backup…
A spinnaker pole, typically made of wood, aluminum, or carbon fiber, is used to hold the tack of a spinnaker away from the boat when sail…
The topping lift is a line or wire that runs from the masthead down to the end of the boom, supporting the boom's weight when the mainsai…
Trampolines are large net or webbing structures that stretch between hulls on multihull boats. They can be located anywhere on the boat,…
Track and car systems provide precise control over sail positioning. A traveler is a track mounted across the cockpit or cabin top that h…
Turnbuckles are mechanical devices used to adjust the tension of standing rigging. They consist of a threaded body with opposite-hand thr…
Winches provide the mechanical advantage needed to handle lines under heavy loads. They feature a rotating drum for wrapping line, an int…