Masts, or see: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_ship_poles_called
for a more indepth answer.
It is called the mast
The pole on a sailboat that holds the sails is called the "mast." It is a vertical structure that supports the sails and rigging, allowing the boat to harness wind power for propulsion. The height and design of the mast can vary depending on the type of sailboat and its intended use.
It is called mast.
The pole you are referring to is called the mast. If the boat only has one mast it is usually not in the middle of the boat but is normally found in the forward third of the boat.
The middle of a sailboat that holds up the sails is called the mast. The mast is a vertical pole that supports the sails and rigging, allowing the boat to harness wind power for propulsion. It is typically made of wood, aluminum, or fiberglass, depending on the boat's design and purpose. The sails are attached to the mast with various lines and hardware to facilitate adjustments for optimal sailing performance.
A pole on a sailboat used to hold sails is called a "spar." Different types of spars include the mast, which supports the sails vertically, and booms, which extend horizontally to control the angle of the sail. Spars are essential for the rigging and overall functionality of the sailboat.
Mast (vertical, leading edge of sail), Boom (horizontal,bottom of sail), and a spinnaker pole if you use a spinnaker which is a sail type
Mast
A pole on a boat that holds spars or sails.
The pole on a sailboat is called the mast.
The vertical pole on a sailboat is called the mast, but at the bottom of the sail is horizontal pole called a boom. On the Tall Ships, the horizontal pole AT THE TOP of the sail is called the yardarm.
Is called a mast