Fittings
The term fittings covers all the metal and plastic parts that deflect, secure, or operate lines and sails on board. The most common fittings on a sailing boat fall into a handful of groups.
Thimbles and Shackles
- Round thimble: a metal lining for an eye splice that protects the line from chafing.
- Pointed thimble: a triangular variant of the thimble, often used at sail corners.
- Snap shackle: a shackle with a spring-loaded pin that opens and closes quickly with one hand. Common at the head of a spinnaker or for snap-on lines.
- Screw shackle: a U- or D-shaped shackle closed with a threaded pin, used wherever a permanent connection is needed (anchor chain, blocks, sail corners).
- Key shackle: a screw shackle with a slotted head that can be operated with a screwdriver or coin.
- Halyard shackle: a small shackle attached to the head of a sail.
Cleats and Bollards
- Cleat: a horn-shaped fitting for belaying lines using a figure-eight turn (see Knots).
- Cam cleat: a fitting with two spring-loaded toothed cams that grip the line and release it instantly with an upward pull.
- Clam cleat: a V-shaped fitting with internal teeth that grips the line. Holds securely under load and is released by lifting the line out.
- Bollard / double cross bollard: a heavy fitting on the deck for making fast mooring lines.
- Ratchet bollard: a bollard with a ratchet mechanism that allows the line to be paid out only in one direction.
Tracks, Cars, and Eyes
- Jib sheet track: a rail along which the jib sheet lead block can be moved to adjust the sheeting angle.
- Sheet lead eye: a metal eye that deflects a sheet to give it the correct lead.
- Traveller: a track running across the boat with a car that carries the mainsheet block, allowing the angle of the boom to be adjusted independently of the mainsheet tension.
- Slug: a small slider on the luff of a sail that runs in the mast track.
- Hank: a snap hook on the luff of a headsail that fastens it to the forestay.
Blocks and Winches
- Block: a fitting with one or more sheaves through which a line is led to deflect or to give a mechanical advantage.
- Sheet winch: a drum-shaped, hand-cranked fitting that multiplies the force on a sheet many times over.
Standing Rigging Hardware
- Chainplate: a fitting on the hull that anchors the lower end of shrouds and stays.
- Eye bolt: a bolt with an eye head, used for attaching blocks or lines.
- Rigging screw (turnbuckle): a screw fitting for tensioning shrouds and stays.
- Toggle: a swivelling link between the rigging screw and the chainplate that prevents bending loads.
Bilge and On-Board Equipment
- Bilge pump: a hand- or electrically-operated pump for getting water out of the bilge.
- Bilge bucket / bailer: a simple container for bailing water by hand.
- Drain valve: a self-closing valve in the bottom of the cockpit or hull through which water can drain off.
- Boat hook: a long pole with a hook at the end, used for picking up mooring lines, fending off, or recovering objects from the water.
- Pear-shaped fender: an inflatable fender used between the boat and the dock or another boat.