Fabric panels are sewn together to form an airfoil that captures wind energy and transfers it to the hull through the mast and rigging. Traditional versions rely on woven canvas, while high-performance variants use laminated synthetics to hold a rigid shape under heavy loads. The cut and trim of the material dictate how efficiently the vessel moves across different wind angles.
Ease the main sail a fraction before we stall out in this light breeze.
A sail pushes the boat when sailing downwind, but acts like an airplane wing to pull the boat forward when sailing across or into the wind.
Related terms
Yard
A horizontal or angled spar suspended from a mast to spread the head of a sail.
Sheet
A line used to control the angle of a sail relative to the wind.
Jib
A triangular sail set forward of the foremost mast on a sailing vessel.
Topsail
The square sail rigged immediately above the lowest sail on a mast.