RA Sails

The yard is the transverse timber that is attached to the mast at right angles to the mast on square-rigged sailing ships and under which a sail is (or can be) carried.

Focusing on the wind

The RA can be directed to the wind using the two brasses.

A bras is a line attached to one end of a yard. Brashing the sail is another meaning for pointing the yardarm and sail to the wind.