What Do You Call the "Ropes" in a Sailboat?
Media Release
Apr. 30, 2006

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Good question! This is (yet another) one of those potential minefields of sailing terminology, wherein the new sailor can sound, well, new. To help you get underway, let's hit the highlights of ropes found on a sailboat, starting with a good tip.

Tip:
With very few exceptions, a person normally never refers to any rope on a boat as "rope". One exception rings a ship's bell, and another strengthens the luff edges of sails. What seems like a good third example (made of braided hemp, around 4" in diameter, and used for totin'''' barges or some other unexciting but heavy, floating objects) is properly called a hawser.

The rest of that cordage on the boat fits the technical definition of rope, is manufactured by rope companies and looks like by-gum rope. Sailors never refer to it as "rope", though. Why? No historical basis that I''''ve been able to unearth; perhaps it's a case of, " ... because we said so, that's why." Whatever the reasons (or lack thereof) for this phenomenon, just try to keep the word "rope" out of your head while around sailboats.

Useful Rope Aliases to Know
First off, when talking about running rigging, you can refer to any rope as a line, as in, "What is that line's purpose?", or, "Was the other end of that line I just threw supposed to be attached to something on the boat?"

"Line" is an acceptable substitute, until the real name of some rope is revealed. (Note: The lines that secure a boat to a dock or pier are, in fact, called "lines". Docklines, to be precise.)

Halyards are the lines, often made of wire, that are used to raise and lower the sails. Typically, the mainsail and jib halyards are hoisted as you embark, lowered at voyage's end and not messed with in between - if all goes according to plan.

To adjust (or "trim") the sails, you use lines known as sheets. Sheets are eased (given slack) or trimmed (pulled in) in an attempt to prevent sails from flapping (an undesirable event known as "luffing"). As you''''d suspect, the main sheet works the mainsail, while the jib sheet is used on the jib. If you''''re feeling frisky, spinnakers also have sheets ...

A boom may have two lines to help keep it under control. The vang is a line that runs through tackle and keeps the boom from lifting, while the preventer is rigged to keep the boom's sideway motion in check. (In other words, it "prevents" you from unexpectedly having your head knocked off by the boom.)

There are lots of additional lines that a sailor comes to know, if not love. These include Cunninghams, topping lifts, fore and aft guys, lazyjacks and runner tails. For the newcomer, though, it's perfectly fine - commendable, even - to concentrate on halyards and sheets.

Ropes From Non-cordage Materials
Aside from the halyards, a sailboat may also carry a fair amount of wire rope in the standing rigging. Shrouds and stays are those wire ropes you see running from the top of the mast to the boat's fore, aft and midships. Their purpose is to keep the mast upright and true.

Jack lines and lifelines are horizontally positioned for safety. Lifelines encircle the deck and are meant to keep a body from falling overboard, while jack lines exist solely to be used with safety harnesses.

It's also worth noting that shock cords are made of elastic. Some people refer to these as "elastic rope" (which is absolutely correct), though, in my neck of the woods, everyone just calls them "bungee cords".

Do-s and Don''''t-s at the End of Our Ropes ... Introduction
Do feel free to use the word "line", when in doubt.
Do get acquainted with halyards and sheets. You''''ll find them on every sailboat.
Don''''t say "rope".
Don''''t worry. Those other line terms, rigging and associated functions will become clear rapidly as soon as you''''re getting hands-on experience with the little buggers.

Have fun out there!

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