On asquare rigged ship, thespanker is agaff-riggedfore-and-aft sail set from, and aft of, the aftmostmast.[1][2][3] Spankers are also calleddriver,jigger, andpusher sail.[4]
On aschooner of four or more masts, the spanker is the sail on the mast nearest thestern.[5]
The spanker is a small sail, but as it is so faraft of the balance point of thehull, it has strong leverage. When sheeted in, the spanker is important in driving the boat to a newtack.[4]
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