jibboom

The jibboom is a spar that projects forward from the bowsprit of a sailing vessel, forming part of the bow’s rigging. In traditional rigs it serves as the support and attachment point for the headsails, especially the jib, and may carry rigging such as stays and halyards.

Functionally, the jibboom extends the point from which fore-and-aft sails can be set, increasing sail area and improving the vessel’s balance in light winds. It also provides a convenient anchor for fittings needed to control the jib and other sails, and helps relieve load from the bowsprit itself by distributing forces through its terminations.

Construction and variants vary by vessel type. The jibboom is typically a wooden spar on traditional ships, though on later vessels it may be metal and integrated into the bowsprit assembly. Some designs treat the jibboom as a distinct forward spar attached to the end of the bowsprit, while others consider it an extension of the bowsprit itself. The exact rigging—halyards, stays, and sheets—depends on the rig and sail plan.

Usage today remains largely historical in large traditional ships and clipper-era reproductions, but the term can still apply to contemporary sailing craft with a jib boom or a similarly configured forward spar. The concept is closely related to the bowsprit and to the general category of fore-and-aft spar rigs used to support and maneuver fore sails.