Sail components

Sailing vessels

The Russian sail training ship Kruzenshtern has triangular jibs at the bow, square sails on three masts, and a quadrilateral gaff-rigged sail at the stern.

Yacht flying a triangular, symmetric spinnaker with tri-radial construction—panels radiating from all three corners.

Bermuda-rigged Yawl with triangular jib and main and mizzen sails with cross-cut construction—parallel panels, sewn together.

Dhow with triangular lateen sail.

Quadrilateral lug-rigged vessel.

Sail components include the features that define a sail's shape and function, plus its constituent parts from which it is manufactured. A sail may be classified in a variety of ways, including by its orientation to the vessel (e.g. fore-and-aft) and its shape, (e.g. (a)symmetrical, triangular, quadrilateral, etc.). Sails are typically constructed out of flexible material that is shaped by various means, while in use, to offer an appropriate airfoil, according to the strength and apparent direction of the wind. A variety of features and fittings allow the sail to be attached to lines and spars.

Whereas conventional sails form an airfoil with one layer of fabric, wingsails comprise a structure that has material on both sides to form an airfoil—much like a wing placed vertically on the vessel—and are beyond the scope of this article.