Sailing YachtTerminology

If you have just had your first outing on a sailing yacht and are bemused by some of the names that all the different ropes are called? Well here is a quick explanation as to why rope is not just called rope!

Rope is generally the term used for the raw material used to make the ‘lines’ that we use on board a sailing yacht. Wherever a rope has a purpose or use, it is called a ‘line’ and every single line that has a job to do will have it’s own name!

Running Rigging

This refers to all the moveable lines that are used to pull up and adjust the

sails. The rope that runs up the mast to pull up the mainsail is called the

halyard and to bring the sail down the line is called the downhaul

This refers to all the moveable lines that are used to pull up and adjust the sails.

The rope that runs up the mast to pull up the mainsail is called the halyard and to

bring the sail down the line is called the downhaul

Standing Rigging

The lines that are used when you are tying up to a jetty or pontoon are often

called ‘docklines’ or ‘warps’

There only a couple of examples of lines that are actually called ropes on a

yacht; a ‘bolt rope’ a line which can be attached to the edge of a sail or even a

‘bell rope’ used to ring a ships bell!

Mooring up

The lines that are used when you are tying up to a jetty or pontoon are often

called ‘docklines’ or ‘warps’

There only a couple of examples of lines that are actually called ropes on a

yacht; a ‘bolt rope’ a line which can be attached to the edge of a sail or even a

‘bell rope’ used to ring a ships bell!

Mooring up