Sailing vessel equipment

Publication date: 10.02.2026

In a broad sense, the equipment of a sailing vessel includes its hull and gear: masts, sails, and rigging. The entire sailing rig system is designed to convert wind energy into propulsive force, as well as to alter the yacht's course and speed.

Spars are the primary marine equipment for setting sails and various above-deck structures. The entire assembly of spars is designed to hoist and maintain the sails in working condition.

Main components of spars:

In the past, spars were made of wood, which is why the term "spar trees" is still used today. Modern rigging is manufactured from steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber.

Masts belong to the standing spars and are stepped along the ship's centerline. On sailing vessels, the lower end of the mast passes through the deck and is secured directly to the keel.

The primary purpose of a mast is to support and hoist the sails. Ancient vessels had a single mast and sail, but over time their numbers increased. Dividing the sail area into several sections of varying sizes and arranging them in tiers increased the total sail area while simultaneously making the canvas easier to handle.

Advances in modern technology have transformed mast manufacturing, shifting from classic two- or three-piece assemblies to single-piece structures. Cutting-edge composite materials allow for the construction of masts of virtually any height.

Upright masts are stepped on the vessel with an aft rake. Under wind pressure, the spar bends into a straight line, improving the sailing vessel's balance.

The inclined mast at the bow is set at a steep angle relative to the other masts; it helps tension the standing rigging and shifts the center of effort. The bowsprit improves the sailing vessel's maneuverability. In the past, it was further reinforced with a small mast called a sprit topmast, which carried a pennant or a small sail. Later, the topmast design evolved into an extension of the bowsprit known as the jibboom.

The names of a sailing vessel's masts originated at the dawn of the age of sail and were designed to simplify the crew's handling of the rigging as much as possible.

Mast components:

Dividing the mast into several sections, and consequently several sails, led to assigning specific names to each element.

The lowest section is called the mast, designated by its position: foremast, mainmast, and mizzenmast. Next come the topmasts: fore topmast, main topmast, and mizzen topmast on the aftermost mast. At the junctions of these structures, special platforms called tops are fitted for handling sails and keeping watch. These are also named after their respective masts: foretop, maintop, and mizentop. Above them are the topgallant masts, which rest on transverse beams known as crosstrees. If the topgallant masts are sufficiently long, they consist of the topgallant mast proper and the royal mast, prefixed by the name of the corresponding mast.

Yards are attached horizontally to the mast at their midpoint and are designed to carry the sails. The canvas panels are hung on the yard by the upper edge of the sail. Rows of reef points are sewn into the canvas, through which lines are rove for furling the sail. The lower edges of the fabric are secured to the deck by sheets. Yards can be hoisted and lowered, as well as rotated in the horizontal plane, while always maintaining a level position.

The names of the yards correspond to their position on the mast: the lower ones are the fore yard, main yard, and mizzen yard; above the tops are the top yards: fore top yard, main top yard, and mizzen top yard; and the highest are the topgallant yards.

In the days when there were no jibbooms on the bowsprit, a spritsail topgallant yard was set on the vertical spritsail topmast, and at the attachment point of the bowsprit was the spritsail yard.

Rigging comprises the entire set of a vessel's lines used to secure the spars and control the sails. The rigging consists of standing and running rigging.

Standing rigging is designed to secure the spars in their fixed positions. It must be reliable and durable, so it is manufactured from galvanized steel wire rope, or tarred hemp and synthetic ropes. Sometimes short-link chains are used for securing.

Components of standing rigging:

Running rigging is used to move the spars and sails. These lines consist of movable ropes that hoist and lower yards, unfurl and furl sails, and quickly adjust the entire sailing rig of the vessel to the wind.

In the manufacture of running rigging, flexible ropes made of steel, hemp, and synthetic materials are used. The equipment includes braces, halyards, bowlines, tacks, and sheets. As a rule, one end of the rope is secured, while the other, passing through a system of blocks and pulleys, facilitates the movement of spar components, the furling and setting of sails; upon completion of the work, it is also secured in a specific place.

Running rigging equipment:

Various small parts, known as deck hardware, are used to route and secure the rigging elements of sailing vessels.

Deck hardware for securing running rigging:

Equipment for routing running rigging:

Deck hardware is also used to connect rigging components and secure them to the sails. These include various shackles, hooks, and snap hooks. Halyard and sheet winches, along with similar rigging fittings, are used to tension both the standing and running rigging.

Sails capture wind pressure and convert this energy into the vessel's propulsive force. The combination of all sails constitutes the yacht's sailing rig.

Common types of sailing rigs:

Square sails are panels in the shape of a rectangle or trapezoid, set athwartships. Ocean-going sailing vessels for long voyages are typically equipped with square sails.

The large wind-catching area provides high speed but lacks the ability for quick maneuvers. Square sails struggle to sail close to the wind; the maximum angle to the wind for a square-rigged vessel is 67 degrees.

The panels of square sails are attached to the yard by the head edge through eyelets. The other edges are left free; the lower edge is led to the hull via sheets, and for the upper sails, to the ends of the yards. Sometimes the lower edge is cut concave upwards.

The names of square sails are derived from the names of the yards on which they are set. The lower large sails are the foresail, mainsail, and mizzen; next come the fore topsail, main topsail, and mizzen topsail; above them go the fore topgallant, main topgallant, and mizzen topgallant. The rare fourth tier is called the fore royal and main royal.

Fore-and-aft sails are set along the centerline of the yacht; in shape, they are most often triangular or trapezoidal. Fore-and-aft rigs are ideal for small sailing vessels and sports yachts. The smaller sail area aids tacking in narrow areas and also facilitates rapid course changes and maneuverability along complex trajectories.

Types of fore-and-aft sails:

Many vessels use a mixed sailing rig, as square sails provide high speed, while fore-and-aft sails enhance maneuverability. The ratio of square to fore-and-aft rigging depends on the specific type of vessel. Large sailing vessels with exclusively square sails may use additional jibs—triangular sails set between the foremast and the bowsprit. They facilitate entering port and tacking at sea.

The sailing rig of single-masted yachts typically consists of two sails.

The main sail, or mainsail, is attached aft of the mast. The yacht's entire movement and its behavior in challenging conditions depend on its trim relative to the wind. To improve aerodynamics, carbon fiber battens are sewn into the mainsail's fabric. Forward of the mast, a jib is set, which can be of any shape.

To improve maneuverability, additional sails are set on the sailing vessel:

The type of sailing rig affects the vessel's sailing performance, its ability to harness the wind, as well as the ease of setting the sails and handling them when tacking.