Basic Sail Terms
TERMS APPLYING TO BOTH MAIN AND JIB SAILS
Head:Top corner. (Where halyard connects to sail)
Tack: Bottom forward corner.
Clew: Bottom back corner.
Luff: Forward edge.
Foot: Bottom edge.
Leech: Backedge.
Cringle: Metal reinforcement ring.
TERMS THAT USUALLY APPLY TO MAIN SAILS
Battens: Wood or plastic strips that act as stiffeners for the sail. They help keep the leech from fluttering.
Batten Pockets: Pockets sewn into the trailing edge of the sail to hold the battens.
Roach: The unmeasured Sail area along the back edge of the Sail.
Cunningham: The cringle (grommet) on the luff of the sail used to achieve luff tension for draft control. (sail shaping)
Reef Points: The row of points where the reef ties (gaskets) are attached to the sail.
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