Sailing Terms and Rope Terminology

sail ropeIf you have just had your first outing on a sailing yacht and are bemused by some of the names that all the different ropes are called, here is a quick explanation as to why rope is not just called rope! Our sailing courses in the UK are an ideal opportunity to find out about yachting terminology.

Rope is generally the term used for the raw material used to make the ‘lines’ that we use on board a sailing yacht. For rope terminology wherever a rope has a purpose or use, it is called a ‘line’ and every single line that has a job to do will have it’s own name!

Running RiggingStanding RiggingMooring up

Running RiggingThis refers to all the moveable lines that are used to pull up and adjust the sails. The rope that runs up the mast to pull up the mainsail is called the halyard and to bring the sail down the line is called the downhaul.

The lines that are used when sailing are called sheets and each sheet will refer to the sail that it controls. So when you trim the mainsail you use the mainsheet, if trimming the jib, then you will adjust the jib sheet. There are other lines used for sail trimming such as a cunningham or a kicker.

Standing RiggingThe Standing rigging refers to all the lines that support the stationary objects on a sailing yacht, such as the mast. These are generally steel cables and are called either ‘shrouds’ or ‘stays’.

For example, the line (cable) that runs from the mast to the bow of the boat is called the ‘forestay’, for lines that run to the stern of the boat are often called ‘backstays’.

mooring upThe lines that are used when you are tying up to a jetty or pontoon are often called ‘docklines’ or ‘warps’

There only a couple of examples of lines that are actually called ropes on a yacht; a ‘bolt rope’ a line which can be attached to the edge of a sail or even a ‘bell rope’ used to ring a ships bell!

So there you have it, clear as old rope?

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