Anatomy of a Simple Sailboat
Basic Descriptions of Boat Components for Sailors
A basic anatomy lesson describing the parts of a simple sailboat. A good starting point for learning more about the vessels.
The anatomy of a sailboat can be broken into three broad areas. These sections can be used help describe the parts of the sail, rigging, and hull. These are for a basic sailboat and you'll see more complex examples of yachts in the marina. Parts are labeled in the accompanying illustrations.
Parts of a Sail - A sail is a large piece of strong fabric that catches the wind and provides propulsion for a sailboat. Many sailboats use more than one sail.
- Head - Topmost corner of a triangular shaped sail
- Mainsail - Normally the largest sail providing driving force for the sailboat
- Headsail - A sail set forward of a mast
- Jib - A triangular shaped headsail
- Leech - The aft or trailing edge of a sail
- Luff - The forward edge of a sail
- Tack - The lower corner of the forward edge of a sail
- Clew - The lower corner of the aft edge of a sail
- Foot - The lowest edge of a sail
Parts of the Rigging - A sailboat's rigging takes in all the components that support the mast and sails. Rigging varies greatly between different styles of boats.
- Mast - The main upright structural member of the sailboat that supports the sails
- Boom - The horizontal structural member attached to the foot of the mainsail
- Spreader - A bar that holds the shroud out away from the mast
- Standing Rigging - Wire ropes that support the mast. They include:
- Stay - A wire rope that runs from the top of the mast to locations fore and aft on the hull
- Shroud - A wire rope that adds additional lateral support to the mast
- Running Rigging - Generically all the lines used to raise, lower or control the sails
- Halyard - A line that raises or lowers the sail
- Sheet - A line that controls a sail
Parts of the Hull - The body or fuselage of a sailboat is the hull. Hulls provide buoyancy required to carry cargo and a platform for mounting the sails.
- Bow - The forward part of the sailboat
- Centerboard or Keel - A structure that extends down into the water that improves stability, maneuverability and limits lateral movement in the water. Smaller vessels use a dagger or centerboard that is removable. Larger boats have a fixed keel that is often filled with ballast
- Stern - The back or aft part of the sailboat
- Rudder - A movable vertical plane at the stern of the sailboat that is used to steer a sailboat
- Tiller - On smaller sailboats, the rudder is controlled manually with a lever at the stern of the boat. Larger vessels depend on mechanical steering systems
- Transom - A flat surface at the aft end of a sailboat
