Fore and aft sails

Fore and aft sails, whose shapes and functions vary greatly, stem mainly from square sails. They form a kind of square half sail and can be positioned in the vessel’s axis, which explains why they are referred to as axial sails. They enable the sailor to advance against the wind, on zigzag, but a tight zigzag. It is the main sail form for ancient types of sailing boats such as the sloop, cutter, schooner and brigantine. Nearly all sails in this area of the museum are fore and aft sails.