79 Names Of Sails And Ship Parts For Different Types Of Boat

To understand the working of square sails, you need to understand the points of the sail area that experience light winds compared to the place with strong wind flows.

The main sail is the sail located behind the main mast, the mast is a tall spear that offers support to even the largest sail, and the luff is the front part of the sail.

Did you know that a sloop is a common type of sail that features a classic single mast and double sail setup, whereas a ketch has two masts!

Read on to learn more about different rig types and large sails present in sailboats.

Names Of Sails On A Sailboat

Below, we will list the different sails used in a sailboat and their functions and structure.

Fully Battened Sails are great sails for cruising at high speeds. And due to this, they're mainly used on racing multihulls. One of the popular ship sails names.

Short Battens are useful for lighter sails made of cloth. They tend to move the ship forward from the rig's tension from the flow of wind.

The Roach barely makes one-third of the sail. It extends to the back, past the shortest line from the clew to the end of the boom.

The Leech can be distinguished as the backmost curve of the roach. It is also the trailing edge of the sail.

Mainsail, as the name suggests, is the principal sail on a boat. It is attached to the mainmast so that working together with the jib creates the lift that drives the sailboat towards the flow of wind. One of the popular types of sails.

Jibs are the primary type of sails on present-day sailboats. It is a triangular sail that is placed ahead of the main sail.

Trysail is a small front-and-aft sail used mainly during critical weather conditions.

Headsails are a triangular fore-and-aft rig attached to the front of the vessel, which functions as the boat's forestay. They include some parts mentioned in the ahead in this article.

Mizzen sail is a small triangular or square sail. The mizzen sail is also known as a steadying sail.

Cat only has one mast and one sail. This configuration is present on smaller sailboats.

Names Of Sails On A Boat

Here are some of the names of sails and rigs that are present on different sailboats.

Spinnakers are quite an element of pleasure. However, setting a spinnaker for the first time without any guidance can be a very challenging task.

The Sheet is the leeward line attached to the spinnaker's clew. It is essential for manipulating the shape of the spinnaker sail on different rigs.

Genoa is an important headsail. It's a large jib that overlaps the mainsail and goes past the mast. Due to the large surface area of that jib, it increases the boat's speed drastically regardless of the current wind intensity. The size of the jib may vary slightly.

Code Zero is the fusion between an asymmetrical spinnaker and a genoa. It's a modern sail generally used when sailing close to the wind in light air.

WindSeeker is generally designed light cloth which allows them to perform their task. Due to the difference in its weight from other sails, it is used when a full-size and heavier sail doesn't stay stable or pressurized.

Drifter is a versatile genoa made from lightweight cloth for better maneuvering at light wind currents.

Storm Jib, as the name suggests, is your ideal friend when going on long and far sail because the chances of meeting with a storm on the water are low but never zero!

Names Of Sails On A Ship

At some point in our lives, we must have been baffled by the engineering of such huge ships. How they worked and how they were built. Well, below, we have mentioned all the different kinds of sails used in ships and their functions and structure, so brace yourselves, and let's get right into it!

Downwind sail is used for maneuvering modern sailboats. And because of the fore-and-aft rig, it has become relatively easier. But it's a problem if it catches less wind while sailing downwind. However, there are ways to reduce this trouble.

Asymmetric Spinnakers have existed since the 19th century. The asymmetrical spinnaker concept was simply the spinnaker's tack pulling around the gybe. They resemble enormous jibs.

Symmetric Spinnakers are a classic type of sail used for centuries to manipulate boats. Two types of distinguished lines aid them.

Gennakers are very useful for sailing downwind. It is a free-flying, asymmetric sail that can come off as the fusion between a genoa and a spinnaker.

Stormsail, as the name suggests, is an excellent choice of sails to maneuver in stormy weather when wind speed might exceed 45 knots. They're generally stronger than other regular sails. There are variants to this which we will discuss later in this article.

Light Air Sails is an ideal choice of sails, especially when you're sailing long distances and the chances of meeting with a storm on the water are slim.

Names Of Sails On A Schooner

Below, we will list the different sails used in a schooner smaller than a brig but larger than a sailboat.

Drifter Reacher depends on many factors, such as the vessel's rig and the crew's ability. Sailors often get overwhelmed by the idea of placing and trimming a drifter. Now things might vary depending upon whether it is attached to the rig at three points or free-flying.

Fore and aft Rig is a different sort of sailing rig. Instead of fitting perpendicular to the keel, it is along the lines of the keel.

Bermuda Rig is also known as a Marconi rig. It is quite popular among modern sailboats. With the head raised to the top of the mast, the Bermuda rig involves the placement of a triangular sail aft as per the wind direction.

Gaff Rig is a four-cornered, very maneuverable sail that is responsible for the control of the mainsails. Gaff rig is quite the popular fore-and-aft rig on vessels such as the schooner and barquentine. Gaff rig is widely used on sailboats.

Lateen Rig is a type of triangular fore-and-aft rig fitted on a long yard that's mounted at a specific angle on sailboats with the mast while running in a fore-and-aft trajectory.

Square Rigged is versatile and efficient for downwind sailing. This is arranged so that they're square or vertical to the mast and the boat's keel.

The Guy is a windward line attached to the tack of the sail, and a spinnaker pole does the stabilization.

Brand Names Of Sails

Here are some of the leading and top brands in this sector.

Gill was founded in 1975 and is considered one of the finest companies because of its high-quality products.

Xtratuf is quite a popular choice for people among the Northwestern Pacific and Atlantic people.

Harken is a company based in Wisconsin, US. They are mostly known for their heavy-duty sailing hardware.

Henri Lloyd is a Manchester-based company that was established in 1963.

Navid Marine was established in 1999. They have made quite a reputation due to their high-quality products.

Hallberg-Rassy is a Swedish company. They're popular for their fine craftsmanship and sturdy finishes.

Nautor's Swan has been improving their game for the past 50 years, and there is no stopping them!

Beneteau has existed for over a century and is one of the most selling companies.

Amel Yachts is one of the best companies out there. Their refined design and sturdy products are worth looking into.

Hinckley Yachts is a US-based company famous for its fine craftsmanship.

Oyster Yachts is the best company if one is searching for luxury.

Tartan Yachts is an ideal company if one is looking forward to starting their sailing journey.

Catalina Yachts is an American brand that has made its name worldwide because of its sturdy products.

Island Packet Yachts is the best company for people who want to sail worldwide with the most comfort and safety.

Sparkman and Stephens have been in the game for more than 90 years.

Helly Hansen was founded in 1877 and is a Scandinavian company that is one of the best brands globally.

Musto has been out there for 50 years earning its reputation and name through its fine manufacturing of products.

Zhik is quite a recent brand, which was founded in 2003. It is an Australian company.

Gill Marine is named after its founder Nick Gill.

Dubarry is a very reputable company for the fine and sturdy products they produce.

Sperry was established back in 1935 and still going strong in the game with constant production of fine sailing hardware.

Nautica is one of the elite companies out there. It all started back in 1983.

North Sails is known for its exquisite sailing products. This company was founded back in  1957.

Slam is quite a famous European company that won the market pretty quickly.

Some Other Boat Parts

Here are some of the important boat parts that you must know about: -

Anchor is a heavy piece of metal attached to chains used to weigh down the ship.

Bow is the frontmost part of the ship that cuts through water on its way forward.

Bow Thrusters are propeller-like mechanisms on both sides of the ship to enhance handling.

Deck is the most common part of the ship that everyone knows about. It's the floor on the hull.

Ship Hull is the exterior part of the ship's frame that prevents water from getting in.

Keel is the part of the hull on the frame responsible for the uniform distribution of shear stress and pressure.

Freeboard is the part of the hull that is visible over the waterline.

Engine Room, as the name suggests, is responsible for driving power into the ship.

Funnel is a pipe pipe-like structure from which the engine's exhaust is released into the atmosphere.

Navigation Bridge is the place from where all the navigation takes place. It can be referred to as the brain of the ship.

Deck Crane is mainly found in cargo ships as it helps move them.

Forecastle is protruding from the front part of the ship, which is quite a small area but easily recognizable.

Propeller is a mechanical fan attached to a shaft that propels the vessel forward.

Rudder is a flip-like structure at the back of the ship which controls the turns and direction.

Monkey Island is the topmost part of the mast, mainly used for surveillance.

Bridge is the vessel's control room, which functions for the entire maneuverability of the ship.

Funnel Deck is the exhaust from which the gases are expelled into the atmosphere.

Accommodation is an area for the crew. In simpler terms, it can be referred to as Crew Quarters.

Stem can be described as the frontmost part of the ship.

Flying Bridge provides quite a clear view surrounding the ship from up there.

Bulbous Bow increases buoyancy and maintains the efficiency of fuel consumption.

Poop Deck is a roof for the crew of the ship.

Side Thrusters, as the name suggests, are propellers fitted on the side of the boat to generate thrust.