What is the Yankee Sail?

Historical Origins

The Yankee sail is a type of sail that was first developed in the United States in the early 19th century. It is a fore-and-aft sail that is set on a yard that is slung from the mast. The sail is typically made of cotton or canvas and is attached to the yard by means of hoops or slides.

The Yankee sail was originally developed for use on schooners, which were a type of sailing vessel that was popular in the United States at the time. Schooners were used for a variety of purposes, including fishing, trading, and transporting goods.

Design and Advantages

The Yankee sail is a relatively simple sail to design and construct. It is also a very efficient sail, which is why it was so popular on schooners. The sail is able to capture a large amount of wind and convert it into forward motion.

One of the advantages of the Yankee sail is that it can be easily reefed. Reefing is a process of reducing the size of the sail in order to make it more manageable in strong winds. The Yankee sail can be reefed by simply rolling up the sail on the yard.

Use Today

The Yankee sail is still used on some schooners today. It is also used on other types of sailing vessels, such as ketches and yawls. The sail is popular with sailors who appreciate its simplicity, efficiency, and versatility