derwent
New Member
excuse my ignorance,but can anyone tell me what is a taffrail,and what is a belaying pin Fyfe rail? toodle pip!
werona
- Thread starter derwent
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Gordonmc
Well-Known Member
Here goes...
Taffrail is the low board above the stern of a flush-deck boat.
A belaying pin rail is found at the mast foot or at the hounds for securing running rigging. The pins slot into the rail and act as cleats. I don't know the significance of Fyfe... perhaps a refinement?
Taffrail is the low board above the stern of a flush-deck boat.
A belaying pin rail is found at the mast foot or at the hounds for securing running rigging. The pins slot into the rail and act as cleats. I don't know the significance of Fyfe... perhaps a refinement?
PeteCooper
Well-Known Member
I am not sure that a boat needs to have flush decks to have a taffrail. I remember the Cowal class of yacht, built in very small numbers by Morris and Lorrimer and that had an ornamental taffrail but not flush decks.
Billy_Mizzen
Well-Known Member
A fyfe rail is a pin rail that is specificly fitted around the mast, on square riggers it belays the clewlines, buntlines and halyards etc.
Peterduck
Well-Known Member
. . . .and is spelt 'fife', as the pins have similarities in appearance to the musical instruments found on square-rigged ships. They don't look like fifes to me either, but if those old-time sailors could imagine that manatees and dugongs resemble beautiful women, then it's not such a great leap of the imagination.
Peter.
Peter.