How to Rig a Small Sailboat

Guide Note

For those who haven't had many opportunities to sail before, this guide on rigging a small sailboat can give you a handle on some of the basic steps you’ll need to follow in order to prepare your boat to sail. You'll also learn sailing terminology that will help you to respond to and impress your skipper.

Table of Contents

Rigging a Small Sailboat Tips
  1. Sail with an experienced skipper (captain).
  2. When used on a boat, ropes are called lines.
  3. Keep sails out of salt water.
  4. Coil lines to prevent tangles.
  5. Watch your head as you raise the mainsail.

Introduction

(Photo by Caleb Khon)
(Photo by Caleb Khon)
  • No article can prepare you to sail on your own if you haven't had hands-on instruction from an experienced sailor, and you should always have an experienced sailor on board who knows the particular type of boat that you’re going to sail.
  • However, learning the basics of how to rig a sailboat (as well as some of the most necessary terminology) in advance can help you to grasp more quickly what you learn on the water. Plus, you'll wow your skipper by responding quickly and accurately to his instructions.

Step 1: Know the Different Parts of the Boat

  • Knowing sailing terminology is always a good idea for anyone heading out for a sail. Even if you won’t be the one calling the shots and making decisions, knowing the proper terms for different parts of the boat can help you to communicate with the skipper and enable you to follow his instructions.
Mainsail (Creative Commons photo by Andy Todd)
Mainsail (Creative Commons photo by Andy Todd)
  1. Know your cardinal directions.
    1. The rear of the boat, behind the mainmast, is its stern, or aft.
    2. The front is the bow.
    3. When you’re facing forward, to your left is the port side of the boat.
    4. The right is the starboard side.
  2. Know the various fixed parts of the boat.
    1. The cockpit is the area where the skipper sits. It’s often lower than the deck of the boat.
    2. The mast is the tall pole that rises up from the deck and carries the sail.
    3. The boom is another heavy pole that holds the bottom of the mainsail perpendicular to the mast and parallel to the deck of the boat.
    4. The shrouds are thin wires that run from the top of the mast down to the deck of the boat.
    5. Cleats are fixtures used to hold the various lines in place.
  3. Know the names of the sails.
    1. The largest sail (usually) is the mainsail.
    2. If your boat has a slightly smaller sail forward of the mast, it’s the jib or foresail.
    3. Certain types of sailboats have multiple jibs.
    4. Some boats, especially those used for racing, carry another larger, lighter sail called the spinnaker. The spinnaker is not always rigged, but can be raised in front of the bow of the boat for extra speed downwind. You can tell a spinnaker by its lightweight material and bellied-out shape.
  4. Know the names for the different ropes.
    Halyards (Creative Commons photo by Nadya Peek)
    Halyards (Creative Commons photo by Nadya Peek)
    1. First of all, ropes are no longer ropes on board sailboats – they become lines.
    2. The lines used to pull the sails up towards the top of the mast are called halyards.
    3. Lines used to change the position of (trim) the sail – let it out or take it in – are sheets.
    4. The outhaul pulls the bottom (foot) of the sail farther out along the boom.
    5. Each sail has its own lines. You can refer to them by using both the sail name and line name. For instance, the sheet belonging to the mainsail is the mainsheet while the sheet for the jib is the jibsheet.

Step 2: Take Off Sail Coverings and Ties

  • Many owners use sail covers to protect sails from damage when not in use. If the skipper carries the sails ashore after each sail, all sails are probably rolled up in bags. If he leaves the main on board, on the other hand, it may be attached to the boom with a cover over both.
  1. If the mainsail cover also covers the top of the boat, you’ll need to disconnect it before getting into the cockpit. Look for hooks, zippers, snaps, or ties around its perimeter.
  2. Untie the sail bags and any other coverings. Take note of which covering goes to which sail so that you can put them back later.
  3. Slide sails carefully out of the bags. Try not to allow any part of the sail to fall in the water, as salt can damage the sail over time.
  4. Fold up the bags and stow them somewhere safe.

Step 3: Install the Rudder, Tiller and Centerboard

Understanding the Rudder and Tiller

  • Your boat will either have a centerboard or keel.
  1. A keel is a fixed projection from the bottom of the boat that keeps the boat from tipping.
  2. A centerboard serves the same purpose, but can be lifted or removed more easily.
  3. On larger boats, the rudder and tiller assembly (used to steer the boat) may remain in place even when the boat is not in use. In smaller boats, you’ll need to attach it to the stern of the boat.

NOTE: Install the rudder as soon as possible, as you cannot steer the boat without it. If the boat comes untied prematurely, you could be in real trouble if you’ve left this until last.

Installing the Rudder and Tiller

  • Your skipper or another experienced sailor may want to handle this procedure.
  1. Take any coverings off the rudder and tiller.
  2. Lean over the stern of the boat (carefully!) to get a look at the mechanism for attaching the rudder and tiller. Look at the rudder as well. It may have pins down one side that slide into slots on the stern of the boat.
  3. If the rudder is heavy, have someone help you to lift it over the stern of the boat. You may need to lean over the water to install it, so make sure you can handle it.
  4. Attach the rudder to the stern. If it has a pin mechanism, slide the pins into the slots on the stern. Make sure that it locks in place. You may want to tie a small string between the rudder and the boat in case it disengages. You don’t want it floating away!
  5. Attach the tiller, if it’s a separate piece.
  6. Either install or lower the centerboard, if the boat has one. Follow your skipper's instructions for the specific boat. You may need to slide the centerboard into a slot in the center of the cockpit, or use a lever or pulley to lower it into the water.

Step 4: Prepare the Sails

  • Even if the mainsail is already attached to the boom, you’ll need to attach the proper lines and prepare to raise the sails up the mast. Lines must be tied properly to ensure that they remain in place. If you're interested in learning how to tie proper sailing knots, US Sailing provides instructional videos.
(Creative Commons photo by Matt & Mandy)
(Creative Commons photo by Matt & Mandy)

Mainsail

  1. Attach the sail to the boom if necessary. The bottom edge of the sail is its foot. You must attach it to the boom. The mechanism for doing so is different for different kinds of boats, so have your skipper show you. Often, you must feed the foot into a groove in the boom. Pull the sail out along the boom and attach the outhaul at the end of the sail farthest from the mast (clew).
  2. Feed the top (head) of the sail into the groove in the mast.
  3. Attach the halyard to the head of the sail.
  4. Attach the mainsheet to the boom if necessary.

Jib

  • On larger boats, the jib may already be attached. Otherwise, you'll need to attach it each time you sail. The following general instructions apply in the latter case.
  1. Clip the jib onto the forward shroud, starting at the bottom. Your skipper will show you how, but you may use snaps or ties along one edge (the luff) of the sail.
  2. Attach the jib sheets. The jib has two sheets that are use to control it. How these are rigged can differ not only between two types of boat, but even between two boats of the same type. Your skipper will show you his setup. Tie knots at the end of the sheets to prevent them from coming loose.
  3. Attach the halyard. Make sure that it’s not tangled with any other lines farther up the mast.

Step 5: Final Checklist

  • Now you're just about ready to hit the open seas! Just a few last things to do before you cast off (untie the boat) from the dock, slip, or mooring where it's anchored:
(Creative Commons photo by Onur)
(Creative Commons photo by Onur)

Check the Lines

  1. Make sure that all lines are free of knots and tangles.
  2. If any lines are particularly long, coil them carefully inside the boat, without tying them.

Raise the Sails

  • When you raise the sails will depend on your skipper. Watch your head as the mainsail goes up to avoid being hit by the boom.
  1. Pull the main halyard to raise the mainsail. Once the head of the sail has reached the top of the mast, or all of the wrinkles are out of the sail, cleat (secure) the halyard. Your skipper will show you how to do this.
  2. Pull the jib halyard to raise the jib. Once the head of the sail reaches its full height, cleat it as your skipper directs.

Cast Off

  1. When your skipper indicates that she’s ready, help her to untie any lines securing the boat to its anchorage and cast off.
  2. The skipper must steer, so someone else will likely have to handle pushing the boat away from its anchorage if necessary.

Conclusion

  • Sailing can be a lot of fun, and if you enjoy your first sail, consider taking some lessons so you can sail on your own. US Sailing has information about sailing organizations that provide lessons. Once you've mastered the basics, you can learn how to compete in sailboat races. Sailing can easily become a lifelong passion!

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