Sailboat yard

woodensquare rig

Yards are the horizontal members of square rigging, essential for supporting and controlling sails on ships. They play a crucial role in the distribution of forces exerted by the wind. In square rigs, the yards are generally multiple, fixed at different levels of the masts. The yards are attached to the masts by fittings and ropes, allowing them to rotate to orient the sails as needed. This rotation, combined with the adjustment of the sheets and halyards, allows the sailor to finely control the shape and orientation of the sails to maximize the propulsion of the vessel.