Glossary of Spar Terms

Boom

Gooseneck: Fitting that attaches the boom to the mast, enabling the boom to pivot freely in all directions.

Outhaul Cap: Fitting located at the end of a boom which facilitates tensioning the foot of the mainsail.

Sliding Gooseneck: A gooseneck that slides in a track on the mast, enabling the height of the boom to be adjusted relative to the deck.

Vang Plate: Fitting used to connect a boom vang to a boom or mast.

Hardware

Bail: Hardware generally used to attach a block to a mast or boom.

Chainplate: Strap used to attach standing rigging to the boat.

Deck Plate: Fitting used to attach standing rigging to the boat.

Eyestrap: Fitting used to attach blocks or rope to a mast or boom.

Gudgeon: Fitting attached to the stern of a boat, typically in pairs, used to mount the rudder to the boat.

Pintle: Fitting attached to the rudder, typically in pairs, used to mount the rudder to the boat.

Stemhead Fitting: Special chainplate used to attach a headstay or forestay to the boat.

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Mast
Downhaul Cleat: Cleat fastened to a mast which facilitates adjusting the height of a sliding boom relative to the deck.

Hinged Step: A step mounted to hinge plates, which facilitates raising and lowering a mast.

Hound Assembly: Fitting used to connect a forestay and shrouds to a mast.

Mast Eye: Fitting attached to the forward edge of a mast, generally used to connect a spinnaker pole to a mast.

Masthead: Fitting located at the top of a mast having sheaves for halyards. On larger boats the masthead includes connectors for standing rigging.

Piggyback Step: A hinged step with castings on top and bottom hinge plates.

Sailfeed: Opening in the sail groove in a mast or boom used to feed sail rope or slides.

Sailfeed Gate / Stop: Fitting used to keep sail slides captive in a sail groove.

Spreaders: Struts attached to a mast and the shrouds that add support to the mast.

Step: Fitting used to secure a mast to the deck.

Step with Tenon: A step with a protrusion on the underside, which facilitates positioning on a deck.

Tabernacle: A deck-mounted fitting which facilitates convenient raising and lowering of a mast.

Tang: Fitting used to connect standing rigging to a mast.

Running Rigging

Boom Vang: Block and tackle system used to prevent the boom from lifting under pressure from wind in the mainsail.

Cunningham: Simple system incorporating rope and a cleat used to adjust the tension in the luff of a mainsail.

Halyard: The rope or wire used to hoist a sail.

Jib Sheets: The ropes used to adjust the jib.

Jiffy Reefing: Simple system incorporating rope, blocks and cleats, used to shorten a mainsail.

Mainsheet: The rope running through blocks (pulleys) that are attached to the boom and the boat and used to adjust the mainsail.

Shackle: Fitting used to connect a halyard or sheet to a sail.

Standing Rigging

Backstay: Wire that extends from the top of the mast to the stern of the boat.

Forestay: Wire that extends from a point below the top of the mast to the bow of the boat.

Fractional Rig: Rigging configuration typified by forestay and shroud attachment at a point below the top of the mast.

Headstay: Wire that extends from the top of the mast to the bow of the boat.

Masthead Rig: Rigging configuration typified by forestay and shroud attachment at the top of the mast.

Shroud Adjuster: Rigging fitting used to tension a shroud or stay by means of a series of holes and clevis pins.

Shrouds: Wires on port and starboard sides that support the mast.

Standing Rigging: System of wires that supports the mast in the upright position.

Turnbuckle: Rigging fitting used to tension a shroud or stay by means of threaded stud(s).