What term describes a pulley on a boat?

Study for the US Sailing Basic Keelboat Test. Enhance your sailing skills with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

What term describes a pulley on a boat?

Explanation:
On boats, a pulley is called a block. A block contains a wheel (the sheave) inside a housing, and the sail or rigging line runs around that wheel to change direction or to gain mechanical advantage when using tackle. This is a core part of rigging because blocks let you redirect force and multiply effort when raising sails or adjusting lines. The other terms refer to different things: a boat hook is a long pole with a hook, a bolt rope is the rope sewn into the edge of a sail, and “below” isn’t a sailing hardware term.

On boats, a pulley is called a block. A block contains a wheel (the sheave) inside a housing, and the sail or rigging line runs around that wheel to change direction or to gain mechanical advantage when using tackle. This is a core part of rigging because blocks let you redirect force and multiply effort when raising sails or adjusting lines. The other terms refer to different things: a boat hook is a long pole with a hook, a bolt rope is the rope sewn into the edge of a sail, and “below” isn’t a sailing hardware term.

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