to set top sails

English translation: to sail at full speed

18:11 May 2, 2010
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Ships, Sailing, Maritime / Possible sailing idiom
English term or phrase: to set top sails
(ex. an English teaching mag article on sailing) --> (...) but the next day was glorious as we set top sails and headed for the picturesque town of Tobermory. --> "to set top sails" was shown in its glossary as "to sail at high speed". Correct?
FNO
Selected answer:to sail at full speed
Explanation:
Yes, that's right; more usually spelt 'topsails', I think you'll find.

The topsails were the last sails to be used, usually in fair weaher (possibly light winds), in order to gain just that last bit of speed... The sort of thing that would date from the days of the clippers, and the races between them to be the first to reach port with their merchandize.
Selected response from:

Tony M
France
Local time: 11:07
Grading comment
Thanks, Tony! Hugs.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
3 +6to sail at full speed
Tony M


  

Answers


7 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +6
to set topsails
to sail at full speed


Explanation:
Yes, that's right; more usually spelt 'topsails', I think you'll find.

The topsails were the last sails to be used, usually in fair weaher (possibly light winds), in order to gain just that last bit of speed... The sort of thing that would date from the days of the clippers, and the races between them to be the first to reach port with their merchandize.

Tony M
France
Local time: 11:07
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 28
Grading comment
Thanks, Tony! Hugs.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  MPGS: :)
5 mins
  -> Thanks, MPGS!

agree  Demi Ebrite: Yes!
9 mins
  -> Thanks, Demi!

agree  Jack Doughty
3 hrs
  -> Thanks, Jack!

agree  Rolf Keiser
13 hrs
  -> Thanks, G/C!

agree  B D Finch: Merchandise?
15 hrs
  -> Thanks, Barbara! Dear me, yes indeed — mea culpa!

agree  Stephanie Ezrol
15 hrs
  -> Thanks, Stephanie!
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