Halyard: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

In sailing, a halyard is a line (rope) that is used to hoist (pull up) a sail. A triangular (Bermuda) sail has only one halyard which is attached at its uppermost point (the head), while a gaff rigged sail has two, a main or gaff halyard and a peak halyard. Halyards, like most other parts of the running rigging, were classically made of natural fiber like manila or hemp. Today, polyester is most often used, but stainless steel or galvanized steel may be found on some older yachts, and lightweight carbon fiber on racing vessels.