Mast Meaning in Sailing

The mast is the tall, vertical spar that supports the sails and the rigging of a boat. Modern masts are typically made of aluminum or carbon fiber, while traditional ones are made of wood. The mast must be strong enough to handle the massive compression loads created by the tension of the sails and the wind. One clear example involves a sailor inspecting the ‘mast step’ (where the mast meets the boat) for signs of stress or corrosion. Masts are held upright by ‘standing rigging,’ which includes the shrouds and stays. If a mast breaks (dismasts), the boat loses its primary source of power. It is the structural backbone of the entire sailing rig.