Martingale (rigging)
Encyclopedia
A martingale is a fore-and-aft stay lying directly beneath the bowsprit
strengthening it and, if extended from the sprit a jibboom
, against upward force created by the head stays
.
The martingale is part of a vessel's standing rigging
. Often a dolphin striker
is used between the martingale and bowsprit to provide additional tension to the former.
Bowsprit
The bowsprit of a sailing vessel is a pole extending forward from the vessel's prow. It provides an anchor point for the forestay, allowing the fore-mast to be stepped farther forward on the hull.-Origin:...
strengthening it and, if extended from the sprit a jibboom
Boom (sailing)
In sailing, a boom is a spar , along the foot of a fore and aft rigged sail, that greatly improves control of the angle and shape of the sail. The primary action of the boom is to keep the foot of the sail flatter when the sail angle is away from the centerline of the boat. The boom also serves...
, against upward force created by the head stays
Stays (nautical)
Stays are the heavy ropes, wires, or rods on sailing vessels that run from the masts to the hull, usually fore-and-aft along the centerline of the vessel...
.
The martingale is part of a vessel's standing rigging
Standing rigging
On a sailing boat, standing rigging generally refers to lines, wires, or rods which are more or less fixed in position while the boat is under sail. This term is used in contrast to running rigging, which represents elements of rigging which move and change fairly often while under sail...
. Often a dolphin striker
Dolphin striker
A Dolphin striker is a small vertical or near vertical spar spanning between the bowsprit and martingale thereby redirecting the direction of the tension in the forward end of the martingale slightly more vertically...
is used between the martingale and bowsprit to provide additional tension to the former.