A foresail is one of a few different types of sail set on the foremost mast (foremast) of a sailing vessel:
- A fore-and-aft sail set on the foremast of a schooner or similar vessel.[1]
- The lowest square sail on the foremast of a full-rigged ship or other vessel which is square-rigged.[2]
Sails set forward of the mainmast, such as jibs and staysails, are sometimes referred to as foresails, although "headsails" is a more common term, headsail can also specifically refer to the sail on a forestay that connects directly to the head of the mast.
- ^ Torrey, Owen C. Jr. (1965). Sails (Seamen's Bank for Savings ed.). New York: Palmer & Oliver. pp. 18&19.
- ^ Keegan, John (1989). The Price of Admiralty. New York: Viking. p. 278. ISBN 0-670-81416-4.