Page 386 - (DK) The Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2nd Ed.

Sails
PARREL
BEADS

THERE ARE TWO MAIN TYPES OF SAIL, often used in combination. Square sails are driving sails.
They are usually attached by parrels to yards, square to the mast to catch the following wind. On
fore-and-aft sails, such as lateen and lug sails, the luff (leading edge) usually abuts a mast or a
stay. The head of the sail may abut a gaff, and the foot a boom. Around the world, a great range of rigs
(sail patterns), such as the ketch, lugger, and schooner, have evolved to suit local needs. Sails are made from
strips of cloth, cut to give the sail a belly and strong enough to resist the most violent of winds. Cotton and flax
are the traditional sail materials, but synthetic fabrics are now commonly used.
Head SECTION OF A SAIL
Seizing LUFF (LEADING EDGE) Luff slide Bolt rope

Round thimble
Rope strand
Grommet

Head cringle
LEECH Sharp
(LEACH) point
SERVING MALLET
Groove for
Flat seam spunyarn rope
Synthetic flax Flatboard
(duradon)
NEEDLES AND SEAMING TWINE
Tabling
Handle
Seaming
Luff cloth twine

Rat’s tail Grip
Needle packet
SAILCLOTHS
KEVLAR HEAVYWEIGHT Needle SAILMAKER’S FID
ON FLEX NYLON CLOTH
FILM SAILMAKER’S PALM
SAIL HOOK
Strap Thumbhole
Crown
Cowhide
face
MYLAR NYLON Bill Shank Metal
AND needle pad
SILICON BEESWAX
CLOTH Handle SAILMAKER’S MALLET Cheek

SYNTHETIC WOVEN
FLAX DACRON
(DURADON)
Hide grip
Whipping Seizing
Groove made
by thread SAILMAKING TOOLS Copper
face

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