Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 4, 2026

Cringle

A cringle is an eye through which to pass a rope. In nautical settings, the word refers to a small hole anywhere along the edge or in the corner of a sail, rimmed with stranded cordage and worked into the boltrope. Typically it encloses a metal grommet for reinforcement and to reduce wear. In this context, cringle and grommet coincide enough that the two are sometimes used interchangeably.

Last revised
Jun 4, 2026
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Wikipedia ↗
A cringle at the corner of a sail. source ↗

A cringle is an eye through which to pass a rope. In nautical settings, the word refers to a small hole anywhere along the edge or in the corner of a sail, rimmed with stranded cordage and worked into the boltrope.1 Typically it encloses a metal grommet for reinforcement and to reduce wear. In this context, cringle and grommet coincide enough that the two are sometimes used interchangeably.23

References

References

  1. "The Basics of Reefing - SailNet Community". www.sailnet.com. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  2. "Boating Terms and expressions". DIY Wood Boat. Retrieved 2016-02-11.
  3. Knight, Austin N. (1921). Modern Seamanship (8 ed.). New York: D. van Nostrand Company. pp. 831. head cringle.