Fore-and-aft Sail (Noun)
Meaning
Any sail not set on a yard and whose normal position is in a fore-and-aft direction.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The mainsail on a typical sailboat is a fore-and-aft sail that is controlled by a boom and sheet.
- The jib is a fore-and-aft sail set on a forestay and is used to help the boat sail upwind.
- The lateen sail is a type of fore-and-aft sail used on sailing yachts that is triangular in shape.
- The genoa is a large fore-and-aft sail used on sailboats that overlaps the mainsail when in use.
- The staysail is a small fore-and-aft sail set between the forestay and the mainmast of a sailing vessel.