Posted by Jonathan Labaree on November 11, 2004 at 03:42:32 from 24.198.196.209 user JLabaree.
In Reply to: Re: 'Bent on' posted by Ben Zartman on November 11, 2004 at 23:21:20:
Oh goody, I get to be a bit pedantic.
First, I think the person who said "it's not a nautical term" was referring to "depowering the main". As in, you wouldn't shout to your crew as a squall approached "Depower the main!" Said crew would likely look at you cross-eyed as your vessel swamped.
Second, I'm pretty sure a "jibboom" is not a boom for a jib - that's a "club." The jibboom is one part of a two-part bowsprit. It's the longer part, I think (please, others, correct me if I'm wrong). If you take a look at how the bowsprits of large vessels were made, that had a short, stout piece underneath that extended some way out from the bow and a narrower, longer piece that overlapped it and extended the full distance out. That latter piece is, I believe, the jibboom. A quick web search did not reveal any good illustrations. I will continue looking and post anything that is enlightening.
You don't see jibbooms much these days - most bowsprits are now made with one piece.
For what it’s worth, I agree that to bend on a sail means to attach it to its spars, whether those are yards, booms, gaffs, masts, or whatever. I don’t know if it derives from “bend” the knot or, um, not.