what is the name of the rope used to hoist/lower sails?
This Site Might Help You. RE: what is the name of the rope used to hoist/lower sails?
A halyard is used to raise and lower the sails. Sheets are used to control the angle of the sails.
It is the Halyard. Truenorth is incorrect in stating there are no ropes on a Sailboat. There is ONE and only ONE ROPE on a Sailboat. It is the BOLT ROPE. This is the small diameter rope stitched into the luff of the mainsail. The Boltrope either slides up a groove in the mast or serves an attachment point for sail slugs or cars. This is how the luff or forward edge of the Mainsail is affixed to the mast. That my friend, is the real deal.
Each rope on a sailboat is given a different name according to it's use. the main halyard hoist the main sail, the jib halyard hoist the jib. Sail control ropes are sheets.
Funny thing about many nautical terms. They relate to basic language. In the days of sail. Most were Square rigged. The bit at the top was the yard or yard arm. So to raise the sail you had to 'Haul the Yard. It became the Halyard. Halyards raise or lower the sails. Sheets adjust the trim All variable lines are called running rigging
