What is a staysail on a sailboat?

A staysail ("stays'l") is a fore-and-aft rigged sail whose luff can be affixed to a stay running forward (and most often but not always downwards) from a mast to the deck, the bowsprit, or to another mast (the mast is item 13 in the illustration right).

What is a staysail used for?

The staysail plays three roles: It augments sail power. It helps break down total sail area into smaller working components for ease of handling. The smaller sail units allow for different combinations, giving sailors a variety of options for different conditions.

What is the difference between staysail and jib?

On a boat with two staysails the inner sail is called the staysail, and the outer (foremost) is called the jib. This combination of two staysails is called a cutter rig (or in North America a yankee pair) and a boat with one mast rigged with two staysails and a mainsail is called a cutter.

Why is it called a staysail?

On a sailing vessel, a staysail is a fore-and-aft rigged sail set on lines which run diagonally downward from a mast. These lines help support the weight of the mast and are called stays. Sails attached to them are therefore called staysails.

Does a sailboat need a backstay?

In general, most modern sailboats will have a permanent backstay and some will have a permanent backstay combined with running backstays. Backstays are not always found on all vessels, especially smaller ones. A permanent backstay is attached at the top of the mast and may or may not be readily adjustable.

When should I adjust my backstay?

You'll know you have it right when you can set up your rig and sails such that, in the lulls, the backstay is eased and you can comfortably depower using mostly backstay. You'll still have to change point and play the sheets or traveler, but they should be mostly fine-tune adjustments.

When should I tighten my backstay?

Adjusting the backstay will either increase the bend of the mast (backstay tension on) or decrease bend of the mast (backstay eased). It's usual to ease backstay downwind and put on backstay tension when going upwind.

What is a code zero sail?

The Code Zero is a cross between a genoa and an asymmetrical spinnaker that is used for sailing close to the wind in light air. Code Zero was initially an attempt to circumvent a rating rule by making a large genoa for close reaching on boats that were measured with non-overlapping genaos.

How do you rig a staysail?

In order to install a stayed staysail, you are essentially adding a second forestay about a third closer to the mast. The stay attaches to the deck about a third of the way back and to the mast around the upper spreader. It's important, although not critical, that the staysail stay is parallel to the forestay.

What is a storm jib on a sailboat?

A storm jib is familiar to most sailors and can be a very useful addition to the cruiser's sail plan as it offers a robust, useful headsail that can usually be relied upon to combine well with a reefed mainsail, a tri-sail or even a mizzen sail to provide a stable and effective sail plan in anything over say 30 kts of ...

What is a staysail halyard?

nOur staysail halyard is the result of Ino-Rope's offshore racing experience. A resistant cover in winches and clutches with no elongation; for precise setting of the luff. Its spliced Dyneema® rope finish protects it from chafing in hooks and sheaves.

What is the best sail shape?

The best shape for acceleration has the draft fairly far forward. Upwind -- When a boat is sailing into the wind, you want sails that are relatively flat. Flatter sails reduce drag when sailing upwind and also allow you to point a little closer to the wind.

What is the difference between a genoa and jib?

A jib is a foresail that does not extend aft beyond the mast; a genoa, on the other hand, is larger and will overlap the mast and part of the mainsail. A jib sail is used for strong winds and is easy to handle, while the genoa is perfect for downwind sailing in light winds.

What is a spinnaker staysail?

A Spinnaker Staysail is a small high-clewed furling sail used downwind with a spinnaker. It is generally used between 10 and 25 knots, hoisted on the jib halyard and tacked just aft of the headstay on the bow. It can also be tacked slightly to weather.

What is a boat with 2 masts called?

Schooner: A schooner is a sailboat with at least two masts, with the forward mast (foremast) being a bit shorter than the main mast.

What is a gennaker sail?

A gennaker is a sail that was developed around 1990. Used when sailing downwind, it is a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. It is not symmetric like a true spinnaker but is asymmetric like a genoa, but the gennaker is not attached to the forestay like a jib or genoa.

How does a self tacking staysail work?

Basically, the sheet from the jib is led to a car which moves across the boat when the boat tacks-very much like a mainsheet traveler. Tracks vary from straight across the boat, to bent track with the ends forward, to bent track ends-up and then tilted forward.

What is an inner forestay?

The inner forestay is typically attached to the mast at the upper spreader and, if not attached permanently, lives next to the mast when not in use. It is made fast to its deck fitting and can be tensioned in a variety of ways.

How does a Highfield lever work?

The end of the runner is attached to a cross-member between the two legs and part way along the lever. When the lever is moved away from the fairlead, tension is placed on the runner on a line below the fulcrum so that the lever is pulled down onto the deck.

What is a Code 5 sail?

Code : Sail dedicated to breezy conditions, relatively deep, heavily built.

What is an A2 sail?

A2 Light/Medium Runner - Racing spinnakers

The A2 is the go-to sail on most boats. Sprit boats never run dead down wind because the asymmetrical spinnaker gets blanketed behind the main sail if they sail below 155 degrees TWA.

What is an A3 sail?

The A3 is the choice for reaching in medium air. It is a full size sail made of medium weight material. The sail is designed flatter than the A2 to improve reaching but with a longer luff than the A1 to sail broader angles in moderate breeze.

What does the backstay do?

No matter what the rig type or stiffness the tensioning the backstay keeps the headstay from sagging. Headstay sag equals extra power in the headsail, so when you don't want the power (heeling too much) use the backstay. On boats with rigs that bend, the backstay helps depower the mainsail.

How do you use a hydraulic backstay adjuster?

Integral backstay adjusters are easy to use. Simply close the valve and pump the handle to increase tension, then open the valve to release tension. Remember that the valve should only be finger-tight. Some units even have built-in relief valves to prevent over-tensioning.

What does a boom vang do?

The vang allows vertical adjustment of the boom, and is an extremely important tool to shape the main for speed. Tension the vang to tighten the leech, flatten the sail and bend the mast. Cruisers use the vang to keep the boom from rising when sailing downwind and abraiding the main.