This list will help to standardize the terms we use relative to certain parts on a model yacht. They are listed in alphabetical order for ease of reference. Terms defined by Wikipedia, with appropriate corrections by TMY editorial staff.
backstay – A piece of standing rigging on a model yacht that runs from the mast to either its transom or rear quarter, counteracting the forestay and jib.
- backstay: A piece of standing rigging on a model yacht that runs from the mast to either its transom or rear quarter, counteracting the forestay and jib.
- backstay bracket
- A fixture that the backstay attaches to near the stern of a sailboat as noted under backstay.
- bolt wire (bolt rope)
- The (wire) rope that is sewn at the edges of the sail to reinforce them, or to fix the sail into a groove in the boom or in the mast. It may also be used with cotter pins or mini screw eyes to attach the sail to the mast.
- boom (jib/main)
- A spar (pole), along the foot of a fore and aft rigged sail, that greatly improves control of the angle and shape of the sail.
- boom vang (US)
- A line or piston system on a sailboat used to exert downward force on the boom and thus control the shape of the sail. This is a kicking strap in the UK.
- bowsie
- A simple device with three holes used for tensioning lines on a model yacht.
- chainplate
- A metal fitting used in sailing vessels that connect the shrouds (side stays) to the hull of the boat.
- clew
- The after corner of a sail.
- compression strut
- A structural component that supports the mast of a sailboat and transfers the load from the mast to the hull, enhancing stability.
- control loop
- A loop of string or wire placed around a mast or boom to help maintain sail shape.
- cotter pins
- Used along with cotter pins to attach the main sail to the mast.
- deck fairlead
- A fitting that allows a sheet to come through the deck and change direction as needed.
- downhaul
- A device used to tighten the luff of a boom-footed sail by pulling downward on a cringle in the luff of a mainsail above the tack. This is also known as a Cunningham.
- eyelet
- A small round hole (metal) in the corners of a sail to thread a string through.
- fairlead
- A turning point for running rigging like rope, chain, wire or line, that guides that line such that the “lead” is “fair”, and therefore low friction and low chafe.
- foot
- The bottom edge of a sail.
- forestay
- A piece of standing rigging that keeps a mast from falling backwards. It runs from the top of the mast to the bow and is sometimes just called a “stay”.
- gooseneck
- The swivel connection on a sailboat where the boom attaches to the mast.
- halyard
- A rope used for raising and lowering a sail, spar, flag, or yard on a model yacht.
- head
- The top corner of a sail.
- hook
- A piece of hardware used on a model yacht for the jib swivel and backstay attachment to the backstay bracket.
- Jenny stay strut (Jenny strut, stay strut, jumper strut)
- A support structure used on sailboats that helps maintain the tension of the headsail and prevents the mast from bending under sail pressure.
- jib (foresail, headsail)
- A triangular sail set ahead of the mast and main sail.
- jib club fitting
- A fitting on the forward end of the jib boom to which the forestay and control loop are attached.
- jib halyard
- The line used on a sailing vessel to raise and lower the jib sail.
- jib rack
- The bracket on the deck where the jib swivel is attached near the bow. This is the jib attachment point.
- jib stay
- Rigging used to support the jib sail, running from near the top of the mast to the jib club to help maintain the shape and tension of the jib.
- jib swivel
- An assembly that attaches near the front of the jib and the deck allowing the jib to swing back and forth with ease with the movement of the boat.
- kicking strap (UK)
- See boom vang.
- king plank
- The longitudinal member that runs down the center of the boat just under the deck.
- leech
- The trailing edge of a sail.
- line
- Used on model yachts for things such as sheets and topping lifts.
- lower shroud
- luff
- The lead edge of a sail.
- main halyard
- The line used on a sailing vessel to raise and lower the mainsail. On a model yacht it is often replaced with a control loop.
- mainsail (main)
- The largest sail on a sailboat, crucial for propulsion, is attached to the mast and controlled by the mainsheet.
- mast
- A tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected vertically or near-vertically on the median line of a ship or boat.
- mast crane
- A device at the top of the mast to which assorted items attach such as the backstay.
- masthead
- The highest part of a ship’s mast.
- mast heel
- Where the critical components are located at the base of a mast.
- mast step
- The combination of parts, the deck fitting and mast bottom fitting that position the mast on the boat.
- mast tang
- A fitting, typically made of metal, that attaches to the mast of a boat to provide an anchor point for rigging like shrouds and stays.
- “O” ring (solid)
- A connector that, with the snap clip joins the sheet lines together, one coming through the deck fairlead and the other coming from the jib or main boom.
- outhaul
- A control line that attaches the clew to the boom and tensions the foot of the sail.
- outhaul fairlead
- A fitting inserted vertically into the aft end of a boom to prevent damage to the boom by the outhaul.
- running rigging
- The rigging used for raising, lowering, shaping, and controlling the sails on a sailing vessel.
- sail
- An extent of fabric used in propelling a model yacht.
- screw eye
- Hardware used in various places on model yachts for sheet attachment on a boom and a topping lift.
- sheet
- The line used to haul the boom down and toward the center of the boat.
- shroud (sidestay)
- Wires that support the mast from the sides and connect the mast to the deck or hull, providing lateral stability.
- shroud plate
- A piece of wood placed along the sheer strake under the deck at those places that are below the shroud racks.
- shroud rack
- A metal plate used to fasten a shroud or stay to the deck of a sailboat.
- swaged sleeve (ferrule)
- A connector that gets crimped using a hand tool to join wires.
- snap clip
- A connector that joins to the “O” ring to connect the sheet lines together, one coming through the deck fairlead and the other coming from the jib or main boom.
- spar
- A pole of wood, metal, or lightweight materials used in the rigging of a sailing vessel to carry or support its sail.
- spreader
- A horizontal rod or beam on a sailboat’s mast to support the shrouds and distribute the tension evenly along the mast.
- standing rigging
- The rigging that supports each mast or bowsprit on a sailing vessel and reinforces those spars against wind loads transferred from the sails. It is composed of fixed lines, wires, and rods.
- swivel
- Hardware used on a model yacht in the jib swivel assembly.
- tack
- The forward lower corner of a sail.
- telltale
- A piece of yarn or fabric attached to a sail, a stay, or any rigging on a sailboat to help read the wind.
- thimble eyelet
- This is an open eyelet (that can be closed over the wire) that is used to terminate the wire backstay and provide a smooth “O” ring that the line can pass through for the control portion of the backstay.
- topping lift
- A line that applies upward force on the outer end of the jib boom on a model yacht. The use of a topping lift may be controlled by class rule.
- turnbuckle (stretching screw or bottlescrew)
- A device for adjusting the tension or length of ropes, cables, tie rods, and other tensioning systems.
- wind indicator
- a lightweight, pivoting device mounted at the top of the masthead of a model yacht.
- wire
- Used in various applications on a model yacht for things such as shrouds and backstays.
