Mizzen Mast

A mast stepped abaft the mainmast on a multi-masted sailing vessel.

On a ketch or yawl, the mizzen mast is the smaller after mast and carries the mizzen sail. Its position relative to the rudder stock forms the conventional distinction between those two rigs.

On vessels with more complex rigs, “mizzen” identifies an after mast according to the established mast-naming sequence. It contributes to the sail plan, balance and rig loads and must not be defined simply as any mast behind another mast.