Moonraker (sail)

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The highest sail is moonsail, below that a skysail and next a royal sail

A moonraker, also known as a moonsail,[1] hope-in-heaven, or hopesail, is a square sail flown immediately above a skysail (see sail-plan) on the royal masts of a square rigged sailing ship. None of the four- and five-masted square rigged ships carried a moonsail.

The equivalent sail, if triangular, is called a skyscraper.[1]

Moonrakers are relatively unusual sails only used on ships built primarily for speed.

References

  1. 1 2 The Sailor's Word-Book, by W.H. Smyth, 1867
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