In sailing, a course sail is the principal sail on a mast.
This term is used predominantly on square rigged vessels, referring to the largest and lowest sail on each mast (mizzen-course, main-course and fore-course). Gaff-rigged vessels might possibly use the term (for the lowest sail rigged aft of each mast), but are more likely to refer simply to a mainsail, foresail, etc. A Bermuda- or lateen-rigged yacht, whether sloop, cutter, ketch or yawl, would not usually be described as having a course.
| Sails, spars and rigging | |
|---|---|
| Sails | Course | Driver | Extra | Genoa | Gennaker | Jib | Lateen | Mainsail | Moonsail | Royal | Skysail | Spanker | Spinnaker | Spritsail | Staysail | Studding | Tallboy | Topgallant | Topsail | Trysail |
| Sail anatomy and materials | Clew | Foot | Head | Leech | Luff | Roach | Tack | Dacron | Kevlar | Twaron |
| Spars | Boom | Bowsprit | Fore-mast | Gaff | Jackstaff | Jigger-mast | Jury Rig | Main-mast | Mast | Mizzen-mast | Masthead truck | Spinnaker pole | Topmast | Yard |
| Rigging components | Backstay | Block | Boom vang | Braces | Buntlines | Cleat | Clevis pin | Clewlines | Cunningham | Downhaul | Forestay | Gasket | Gooseneck | Guy | Halyard | Outhaul | Parrel beads | Peak | Preventer | Ratlines | Running rigging | Shackle | Standing rigging | Sheet | Shroud | Stay mouse | Stays | Throat | Topping lift | Trapeze |
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