Editing Gaff rig (section)

==Description==
Gaff rig remains the most popular [[Fore-And-Aft Sail|fore-aft rig]] for [[schooner]] and [[barquentine]] mainsails{{citation needed|date=September 2012}} and other [[course (sail)|course sail]]s, and [[spanker (sail)|spanker]] sails on a [[square rig]]ged vessel are always gaff rigged. On other rigs, particularly the [[sloop]], [[ketch]] and [[yawl]], gaff rigged sails were once common but have now been largely replaced by the [[Bermuda rig]] sail,<ref>{{cite book|last=Cunliffe |first=Tom |year=1992 |title=Hand, Reef and Steer |publisher=Adlard Coles Nautical |location=London |page=12}}</ref> which, in addition to being simpler than the gaff rig, usually allows vessels to sail closer to the direction from which the wind is blowing (i.e. "closer to the wind").{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

The gaff is hoisted by two [[halyard]]s:
[[File:Mainsail-edges.png|thumb|right|200px|Halyards (and edges) on a gaff rigged sail]]
* The ''[[throat halyard]]'' hoists the throat of the sail (the end closer to the mast) at the forward end of the gaff and bears the main weight of the sail and the tension of the [[Parts of a sail#Edges|luff]].<ref name="Leather2001">{{cite book|last=Leather|first=John|title=The Gaff Rig Handbook: History, Design, Techniques, Developments|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vunvLutTE7QC|edition=2nd|year=2001|publisher=WoodenBoat Books|isbn=978-0-937822-67-8|page=32 }}</ref>
* The ''[[peak halyard]]'' lifts the aft end of the gaff and bears the [[Parts of a sail#Edges|leech]] tension. Small craft attach the peak halyard to the gaff with a wire span with eyes at both ends looped around the gaff and held in place with small wooden chocks, larger craft have more than one span. Peak halyards  pull upwards, approaching the gaff at right angles.{{sfnp|Leather|2001|p=33}}
[[File:Rose Dorothea-1907-broke topmast racing-won Lipton Cup.jpg|thumb|alt=gaff rigged schooner with broken foretopmast|The gaff-rigged schooner ''Rose Dorothea'' won the 1907 Lipton's Cup, despite a broken foretopmast (pictured)]]

Additionally, a [[gaff vang]] may be fitted. It is a line attached to the end of the gaff which prevents the gaff from sagging downwind. Gaff vangs are difficult to rig on the [[aft]]-most sail, so are typically only found on schooners or ketches, and then only on the foresail or mainsail.{{citation needed|date=September 2012}}

A triangular fore-and-aft sail called a jib-headed [[topsail]] may be carried between the gaff and the [[Mast (sailing)|mast]].{{sfnp|Leather|2001|p=54}}

[[Gunter rig|Gunter-rigged]] boats are similar, smaller vessels on which a spar (commonly, but incorrectly called the gaff) is raised until it is nearly vertical, parallel to the mast and close adjacent to it. Topsails are never carried on gunter rigs.

The [[spritsail]] is another rig with a four-sided [[Fore-And-Aft Sail|fore-aft sail]]. Unlike the gaff rig where the [[Parts of a sail#Corners|head]] hangs from a spar along its edge, this rig supports the [[Parts of a sail#Edges|leech]] of the sail by means of a spar named a ''sprit''.  The forward end of the sprit is attached to the [[mast (sailing)|mast]] but bisects the face of the sail, with the after end of the sprit attaching to the [[Parts of a sail#Triangular|peak]] and/or the [[Parts of a sail#Corners|clew]] of the sail.