Parts of REAPER
B’layrip - A short length of rope used to grip the halyard while it is being secured on a cleat.
Bool n’ rope - The rope used to control the foresail during hoisting and to reduce the risk of gybing in a following wind.
Burton - Lifting block and tackle on both masts. The mizzen burton is also set up as a mizzen forestay when at sea.
Crance - A forged hinged iron ring attaching the mizzen yard to the mast.
Cringle - A galvanised ring stitched into the leech of the sail for use when reefing the sail in bad weather.
Fore Thaft - A large cross beam taking the strain of the unstayed foremast.
Kaymsin - Steam Capstan used for handling the heavy masts and sails and the fishing gear ( see picture below).
Pawrells - A ring of large wooden beads attaching the foreyard to the mast. This is an alternative to the Crance used on the Mizzen Mast.
Pike & Chawder (Pintle and Gudgeon) - Fittings which attach the rudder to the hull of the boat.
Rovins - Ropes used to attach the sails to the yards.
Span - Forged iron fitting with a ring which is lashed to the yard. The hook on the wire halyard ‘tie’ is attached to this ring when hoisting the sail.
Teck - The lower end of the luff of the sail where it is attached to the boat
Wather rope - The Luff of the sail which is the rope or wire up the leading edge of the sail.
Steam Capstan
Steam capstan by McDonald Bros, Portsoy
The introduction of Steam Capstans towards the end of the nineteenth century to assist in the handling of the fishing gear and the masts and sails, allowed larger boats to be built. The foresails were also fitted with wire in place of rope luffs which the capstan was able to hoist tightly for windward sailing.
REAPER’s capstan was made in the 1920’s by McDonald Brothers of Portsoy. The small steam engine under the top cover which drives it is now operated by compressed air. This allows the capstan to be used to hoist the sails.
