fore-and-aft sail
Noun: A fore-and-aft sail is a type of sail used on boats and ships. Its defining characteristic is that it is not attached to a horizontal yardarm (a spar crossing the mast). Instead, it is rigged to run parallel to the keel (the central line) of the vessel, meaning it is set in a fore-and-aft direction—from the front (bow) to the back (stern) of the boat.
This term is used specifically in the context of sailing and nautical design to classify a primary type of sail rigging. It describes the sail's orientation and attachment method.
Examples: * The sloop's mainsail is a classic fore-and-aft sail. * Compared to square sails, fore-and-aft sails are more efficient for sailing into the wind. * The schooner was equipped with several fore-and-aft sails on its two masts.
- As a defining feature: The term is often used to describe types of vessels (e.g., fore-and-aft rigged schooner) or to contrast with "square sail."
- In technical description: It refers to the sail's plane of operation, which is aligned with the vessel's centerline.
- Fore-and-aft rig (n): A sailing rig consisting principally of fore-and-aft sails.
- Bermuda sail / Marconi sail (n): A specific, common type of triangular fore-and-aft sail.
- Gaff sail (n): A type of fore-and-aft sail that uses a spar called a gaff to extend its top edge.
- Lug sail (n): A type of fore-and-aft sail that is suspended from a yard but remains asymmetrical and set fore-and-aft.
- None direct. The term is a specific technical classification. Descriptive phrases could include "longitudinally-set sail" or "sail set parallel to the keel," but these are not standard synonyms.
- Square sail (n): A sail set on a yard which is mounted perpendicular (at a right angle) to the keel and the mast.
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any sail not set on a yard and whose normal position is in a fore-and-aft direction
