How to Hoist the Mainsail on a Sailboat

One of the first skills you need to master to become a competent sailor is rigging your sails, which means getting them into position on your boat. The mainsail is the sail attached to the mast, and it is usually the largest on your boat. It is attached at the mast, which sticks straight up, and the boom, which sticks out from the mast, parallel to the deck. Follow these steps to rig your sails properly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Sailboat
• Practice

1. Attach the mainsail to the correct lines, and begin feeding the sail through the groove on the boom, lashing it in place when it is fully installed. Be careful that you have fed the right edge through the boom, or you will have to pull it out and do it again. When you are still getting used to your boat, you may want to mark your sail.
2. Begin feeding the sail through the groove on the main mast in the same way.
3. Hoist the sail with the halyard while making sure it feeds smoothly. If you encounter a problem, pull gently. If this doesn’t solve it, hunt out the source of the hitch instead of just yanking on the lines.
4. Fasten the sail, and prepare to make way!

Tips & Warnings

• You should be hoisting as you feed, or having someone else do it to keep the feed smooth and avoid problems with the lines.
• Do not yank on the sails or drag them on the ground— they could rip or tear.