Headsail

Any sail set forward of the mast — jib, genoa, staysail, or code zero — typically attached to the forestay.

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Related H-terms

Headway

Forward movement through the water.

Hull

The main body of the vessel, excluding the rig, spars, sails, and appendages.

Heel

The sideways lean of the hull caused by wind pressure on the sails.

Headstay

See forestay — the standing rigging from bow to masthead.

Head down

To bear away — to alter course away from the wind.

Head to wind

The moment when the bow is pointing directly into the wind — for instance, the centre of a…

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