What are the yards on a boat?

A yard is a spar on a mast from which sails are set. It may be constructed of timber or steel or from more modern materials such as aluminium or carbon fibre. Although some types of fore and aft rigs have yards, the term is usually used to describe the horizontal spars used on square rigged sails.

Where did the term yardarm come from?

The expression is believed to have originated in the north Atlantic where the sun would rise above the upper mast spars (yards) of square sailed ships around 11am. This coincided with the forenoon ‘stand easy’ when officers would go below and enjoy their first rum tot of the day.

What are the yards on a boat? – Related Questions

What is a synonym for yardarm?

arm in arm. beside one another. by the side of. cheek to cheek.

What does Sun past the yardarm mean?

“The sun’s over the yardarm.” In general use today this phrase refers to the time of day when it’s considered acceptable to have an alcoholic drink – usually early evening.

What is the meaning of yard age?

1 : a total number of yards How much yardage of fabric do you need? 2 : the length or size of something measured in yards a sail’s square yardage.

How are yards attached to masts?

YARDS are long pieces of fir-timber, hanging to the masts or bowsprits, to expand the sails. All square yards hang athwart the masts at right angles, except studdingsail-yards, which hang parallel under the extremities of the other yards. Lateen yards hang to the masts obliquely.

What is the difference between a mast and a spar?

The mast of a sailing vessel is a tall spar, or arrangement of spars, erected more or less vertically on the centre-line of a ship or boat.

How are sails attached to mast?

Where sails are attached to a mast, spar, or stay there is some kind of connection—often it’s the bolt rope running through a groove in the mast, boom, or head foil—otherwise, there is a piece of hardware involved, e.g.: Gaff sails usually have hoops that slide up and down the mast.

What are the 3 sails on a boat called?

Either a jib, a genoa or a spinnaker, there are several sizes of headsails: A working jib is a smaller jib that fills the space between the mast and forestay, used in stronger winds.

What is a boat with 3 masts called?

A barque, barc, or bark is a type of sailing vessel with three or more masts having the fore- and mainmasts rigged square and only the mizzen (the aftmost mast) rigged fore and aft.

What is the only rope on a boat?

It is a tradition to say that on a boat there is only one rope: the bell rope. On a boat every rope has its name. Thus we speak of a mooring line, a sheet, a halyard, a downhaul, a topping lift All these precise names are used to clarify a manoeuvre to avoid any ambiguity.

What do sailors say when they set sail?

Ahoy!” – sailors would use this exclamation among themselves to call out to each other.

What is the line on a boat called?

The Plimsoll line is a reference mark located on a ship’s hull that indicates the maximum depth to which the vessel may be safely immersed when loaded with cargo. This depth varies with a ship’s dimensions, type of cargo, time of year, and the water densities encountered in port and at sea.

What are the 4 sides of a boat called?

Now let’s learn the words for the front, rear, left and right sides of the boat. The front of a boat is called the bow, while the rear of a boat is called the stern. When looking towards the bow, the left-hand side of the boat is the port side. And starboard is the corresponding word for the right side of a boat.

What is the walkway to a boat called?

The gangway is the means of getting on and off a ship. In general shipping terms, it refers to a walkway or bridge connecting the vessel to land.

What’s it called when a boat hits land?

aground Add to list Share. Aground describes a boat that’s accidentally gone ashore, or is stuck on the bottom of a lake or other body of water. If your kayak goes aground, you may need to get out and push it further out in the bay.