foresails

Bow-mounted sails

Foresails are the sails set forward of the foremast on a sailing vessel, or on single-masted boats, any sail set ahead of the mast.

The term encompasses jibs, staysails, and genoas—essentially whatever canvas catches the wind at the bow.

On square-rigged ships, the foresail specifically refers to the lowest sail on the foremast.

We raised the foresails to catch the steady breeze.

rigging

jib

Triangular sail forward

genoaOversized forward sail
staysailTriangular cloth on rigging
forestayForward mast-bracing cable

bowsprit · halyard · sheet · tack · clew · luff · leech · foot · headstay · furler

types

jib

Triangular sail forward

genoaOversized forward sail
staysailTriangular cloth on rigging
spinnakerDownwind sailing sail

reacher · drifter · asymmetric · headsail

wind

breeze

Light, gentle air movement

gustBrief wind surge
windwardFacing the wind
leewardSheltered from wind

close-hauled · running · upwind · downwind · lift · header · puff · lull · wind angle

handling

hoisting

Raising with effort

trimmingCutting away excess
furlingRolling up sails
reefingReducing sail area

tacking · gybing · sheeting · easing · luffing · tensioning · dousing · setting · striking · bearing away

Opposites

position on vessel

foresailsmainsail

Principal vessel canvas

mainsails · mizzen · spanker · driver

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Rated G