An
outhaul is a line which is part of the
running riggingRunning rigging is the term for the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering and controlling the sails - as opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and other spars....
of a
sailboatA sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a smaller...
, which is used to extend a
sailA sail is any type of surface intended to generate thrust by being placed in a wind—in essence a vertically-oriented wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
, and control the shape of the curve of the foot of the sail. It runs from the clew (the back corner of the sail) to the end of the
boomIn 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...
. The line is pulled taut to the appropriate
tensionIn physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted by a string, cable, chain, or similar object on another object. It is the opposite of compression. As tension is the magnitude of a force, it is measured in newtons and is always measured parallel to the string on which it applies...
(to provide the desired shape to the foot), and then secured to a
cleatCleat may refer to:* Cleat , a fitting on ships, boats, and docks to which ropes are tied* Cleat , a type or part of a shoe* Cleats , a comic strip by Bill Hinds...
on the boom.
The details vary, but the two most common methods are:
- A knot, usually a bowline
The bowline is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie. Although generally considered a reliable knot, its main deficiencies are a tendency to work loose when not under load and the bight portion of the knot...
, is tied to a grommetthumb|right|250px|Some rubber grommets.thumb|250px|right|Metal eyelets and eyelet setting tool.Grommets and eyelets are metal, plastic, or rubber rings that are inserted into a hole made through another material...
provided for the purpose in the clew of the sail, then fed directly to the cleat.
- The line is attached to the boom, lead through the same grommet, and thence to a cleat; this system provides a factor of two mechanical advantage
In physics and engineering, mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force or torque put into it. Generally, the mechanical advantage is calculated as follows:or more simply:...
over the previous one.
The outhaul, besides simply holding the sail out, is an effective sail shape control.
An
outhaul is a line which is part of the
running riggingRunning rigging is the term for the rigging of a sailing vessel that is used for raising, lowering and controlling the sails - as opposed to the standing rigging, which supports the mast and other spars....
of a
sailboatA sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails. The term covers a variety of boats, larger than small vessels such as sailboards and smaller than sailing ships, but distinctions in size are not strictly defined and what constitutes a sailing ship, sailboat, or a smaller...
, which is used to extend a
sailA sail is any type of surface intended to generate thrust by being placed in a wind—in essence a vertically-oriented wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
, and control the shape of the curve of the foot of the sail. It runs from the clew (the back corner of the sail) to the end of the
boomIn 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...
. The line is pulled taut to the appropriate
tensionIn physics, tension is the magnitude of the pulling force exerted by a string, cable, chain, or similar object on another object. It is the opposite of compression. As tension is the magnitude of a force, it is measured in newtons and is always measured parallel to the string on which it applies...
(to provide the desired shape to the foot), and then secured to a
cleatCleat may refer to:* Cleat , a fitting on ships, boats, and docks to which ropes are tied* Cleat , a type or part of a shoe* Cleats , a comic strip by Bill Hinds...
on the boom.
The details vary, but the two most common methods are:
- A knot, usually a bowline
The bowline is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie. Although generally considered a reliable knot, its main deficiencies are a tendency to work loose when not under load and the bight portion of the knot...
, is tied to a grommetthumb|right|250px|Some rubber grommets.thumb|250px|right|Metal eyelets and eyelet setting tool.Grommets and eyelets are metal, plastic, or rubber rings that are inserted into a hole made through another material...
provided for the purpose in the clew of the sail, then fed directly to the cleat.
- The line is attached to the boom, lead through the same grommet, and thence to a cleat; this system provides a factor of two mechanical advantage
In physics and engineering, mechanical advantage is the factor by which a mechanism multiplies the force or torque put into it. Generally, the mechanical advantage is calculated as follows:or more simply:...
over the previous one.
The outhaul, besides simply holding the sail out, is an effective sail shape control. Tightening or slackening the outhaul can flatten or fill out the sail, shift the
draftIn nautical parlance, the draft or draught of a sail is a degree of curvature in a horizontal cross-section. Any sail experiences a force from the prevailing wind just because it impedes the air's passage...
forward or
aftAft, in naval terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning, towards the stern of the ship, when the frame of reference is within the ship. Example: "Able Seaman Smith; lay aft!". Or; "What's happening aft?"...
, change leech and foot tension, increase or decrease
camberCamber may refer to a variety of curvatures and angles:* Camber angle in automobile technology* Camber thrust in bike technology* In the steel industry, the concavity of rolls...
.