Fore-and-aft rig - Definition and Overview

A fore-and-aft rig is a sailing rig consisting mainly of sails that are set along the line of the keel rather than perpendicular to it. Such sails are also described as fore-and-aft rigged.

Fore-and-aft rigged sails include:

• Staysails.
• Bermuda riged sails.
• Gaff riged sails.
• Gaff sails.
• Lateen sails.
• The spanker on a square rig.

Fore-and-aft rigs include:

• Single masted rigs:
  • The sloop.
  • The cutter.
• Two masted rigs:
  • The ketch.
  • The yawl.
• Rigs with two or more masts:
  • The schooner.
• Rigs with three or more masts:
  • The barquentine.