sprit

A sprit is a spar used in sailing to support and extend a fore-and-aft sail, most notably on sails known as spritsails. It is a straight, diagonally oriented pole that runs from the mast to the sail and helps keep the sail spread and loaded by wind.

In a typical spritsail rig, the upper end of the sprit is fixed to the mast, while the lower end is attached to a corner of the sail, usually the sail’s forward lower corner (the clew). The sprit is braced and held in place by lines, which allow the crew to adjust the sail’s angle to the wind and to hoist or strike the sail as needed. This arrangement permits a relatively large sail area on vessels with simple rigging, contributing to maneuverability and performance in light winds.

Historically, sprits were common on a range of small to medium sailing craft from the 16th to the 19th centuries, especially in Europe and the Atlantic world. They were favored on boats such as certain cutters, barges, and fishing vessels for their simplicity and effectiveness. Over time, many ships adopted other rig types, such as gaff or Bermuda rigs, and sprits gradually declined in regular use. Today, spritsail rigs are most often encountered on traditional or replica vessels, in historical demonstrations, or on craft built to preserve or study maritime heritage.