Gaff rig

The horn or peak is a spar located at the upper end of a gaff sail, often used on traditional gaff-rigged sailboats. It plays a crucial role in controlling and manipulating the sail, as well as optimizing its performance when sailing. It reinforces the structure of the sails and helps control their shape, and is designed to resist the specific loads generated by the sails and sailing conditions, while ensuring a balanced distribution of stresses to guarantee the safety and stability of the vessel. Mechanically, the horn is designed to withstand the tension exerted by the sail and to effectively transmit that force to the rest of the rigging. It is often reinforced with metal fittings or ropes to guarantee its solidity and resistance to the forces exerted by the wind.