Know your sail: Edges and Corners

If you cannot name it, you cannot trim it.

Think of the sail like a body.

Head
The very top of the sail.
Like your head, it is at the top.
This is where the halyard attaches.

Foot
The bottom edge of the sail.
Like your foot, it is at the bottom.
The outhaul pulls along the foot to control depth.

Luff
The front edge of the sail attached to the mast.
This is where the sail begins to luff or flap when not trimmed correctly.

Leech
The back edge of the sail.
This is where the wind exits the sail.

Tack
The front lower corner of the sail near where the boom and mast meet.
This is where the downhaul or Cunningham tightens the front of the sail.

Clew
The back lower corner of the sail.
On the mainsail, this is where the outhaul attaches.
On the jib, this is where the jib sheets attach.

When we trim sails, we are adjusting tension along these edges and corners.