ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Sheet (sailing)

A sheet on a sailboat is a rope that is used to control the sail. It's kind of like the reins that a cowboy uses to control a horse. Just like how pulling on one rein will make the horse go one way or the other, pulling on the sheet will make the sail go one way or the other.

When you want to turn the boat, you pull on one sheet and let out the other. This will cause the sail to move from one side of the boat to the other, pushing the boat in the opposite direction.

But it's not just as simple as pulling on a rope. There are different sheets for different sails and different wind conditions. And the amount of tension on the sheet needs to be just right in order to get the most speed and efficiency from the sail.

In summary, a sheet is like the reins for a sailboat sail. It helps control the direction and speed of the boat by adjusting the sail.