Rig and Sails: facts
The rig is the sail-carrying system: mast, boom, standing rigging, running rigging, and sails.
A sail plan names what sails are carried and how they are arranged.
Standing rigging supports the mast; running rigging moves or trims sails.
Reefing and furling reduce or store sail area; they are not the same action.
Main Rig Types
Sloop
One mast with mainsail and one headsail. Common on modern cruising boats.
Cutter
One mast with two or more headsails, usually a jib and staysail.
Ketch
Two masts with a smaller mizzen mast forward of the rudder post.
Yawl
Two masts with a small mizzen mast aft of the rudder post.
Schooner
Two or more masts with the after mast at least as tall as the forward mast.
Cat rig
One mast and one mainsail, usually without a headsail.
Masthead rig
Forestay reaches the masthead; common on many older cruising sloops.
Fractional rig
Forestay attaches below the masthead; often gives more mainsail control.
Gaff, lug, lateen, junk, square
Traditional rigs defined by spar geometry and sail shape.
Terminology varies by period, region, and vessel type.Rig and Sails terms
Each link opens the exact terminology entry with a definition, example, aliases, and related terms.
Sources and Method Notes
Boatpedia terminology reference
Marine vocabulary reference for definitions, aliases, examples, and related terms.