Editing Sail components (section)

{{short description|Features that define a (ship) sail's shape and function}}
{{See also|Wingsail|Sailing|Sailboat|Sailing ship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
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 | header            = Sailing vessels

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 | caption1          = The Russian sail training ship [[Kruzenshtern (ship)|''Kruzenshtern'']] has ''triangular'' [[jib]]s at the bow, [[square sail|''square'' sail]]s on three masts, and a ''quadrilateral'' [[Gaff rig|gaff-rigged sail]] at the stern.
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 | image2            = Amante Choate 48 photo D Ramey Logan.jpg
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 | caption2          = Yacht flying a ''triangular'', symmetric spinnaker with ''tri-radial'' construction—panels radiating from all three corners.

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 | caption3          = [[Bermuda rig|Bermuda-rigged]] [[Yawl]] with ''triangular'' jib and main and mizzen sails with ''cross-cut'' construction—parallel panels, sewn together.
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 | caption4          = [[Dhow]] with ''triangular'' [[lateen]] sail.
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 | image5            = Reaper in sail.jpg
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 | caption5          =  ''Quadrilateral'' [[Lug rig|lug-rigged]] vessel.
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{{Main|Sail}}
'''Sail components''' include the features that define a [[sail]]'s shape and function, plus its constituent parts from which it is manufactured. A sail may be classified in a variety of ways, including by its orientation to the vessel (e.g. ''fore-and-aft'') and its shape, (e.g. ''(a)symmetrical'', ''triangular'', ''quadrilateral'', etc.). Sails are typically constructed out of flexible material that is shaped by various means, while in use, to offer an appropriate airfoil, according to the strength and apparent direction of the wind. A variety of features and fittings allow the sail to be attached to lines and spars.

Whereas conventional sails form an airfoil with one layer of fabric, [[wingsail]]s comprise a structure that has material on both sides to form an airfoil—much like a [[wing]] placed vertically on the vessel—and are beyond the scope of this article.