🔍 Key Concepts

• How different rigs (sloop, yawl, ketch, schooner) are arranged and which sail is forward/aftermost • What it means to have a sail aback and how that affects the boat’s tendency to turn into or away from the wind • When heaving-to, which sail(s) are usually backed and which are eased or trimmed to balance the helm

💭 Think About

• For each rig type, picture the sail plan from bow to stern and ask: which sail would I back to stop the boat and keep her gently fore-reaching? • Think about the rudder: when the headsail is aback, which way must the helm be held to balance the forces and keep the bow slightly to windward? • Ask yourself which option(s) describe a realistic, balanced sail combination that would not drive the boat ahead too strongly or cause her to tack out repeatedly

✅ Before You Answer

• Make sure you clearly know which rig has which masts/sails: sloop (1 mast), yawl (mizzen aft of rudder), ketch (mizzen forward of rudder), schooner (after mast tallest/primary) • Verify which statements correctly use a jib aback and use the other sails to balance — not overpower — the boat • Eliminate any option where the described trim would clearly make the vessel sail strongly ahead instead of lying quietly hove-to