Parrel beads (also spelled parral[1] or parrell) are an element of sailing rigging. They act as roller bearings on a parrel, which is a rope or wire strop that typically fastens one spar to another along which it must have some freedom of movement. An example of this is at the jaws of a gaff on a gaff rigged or gunter rigged craft. This allows the gaff to slide up and down the mast as sail is hoisted or lowered, and allows some rotation around the mast as the sail is sheeted in and out to allow for different wind directions.[2] Another example is on the tack of a spinnaker rigged over a furled jib.[3]
- ^ "Definitions from Dictionary.com". Retrieved 2007-08-21.
- ^ Leather, John (2001). "1". The Gaff Rig Handbook: History, Design, Techniques, Developments. WoodenBoat Publications. p. 240. ISBN 0-937822-67-1.
- ^ "Cruising with an Asymmetrical Spinnaker". Retrieved 2007-08-21.