On a sailing vessel, a forestay, sometimes called a jibstay, or a headstay, is a piece of standing rigging.[1] It keeps a mast from falling backwards.[1] It is usually attached to the very top of the mast.[1][2] The other end of the forestay is attached to the bow of the boat.[1]

Sailboat diagram. The forestay is identified by the number 16.

Often a sail is attached to the forestay.[1] This sail may be a jib or a genoa.[1] In a cutter rig, the jib or jibs are flown from stays in front of the forestay, perhaps going from the masthead to a bowsprit. The sail on the forestay is then referred to as the staysail.[3] A forestay might be made from stainless steel wire or rod.[4]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "YPI glossary". Yachting Partners International. Retrieved December 29, 2016.[permanent dead link]
  2. "Rigging Small Boats, Chapter 2". Glen-L marine designs. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  3. Don Street (March 14, 2013). "Rig for a Staysail". Cruising World. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  4. "Sailboat Rigging: Part 1 - Standing Rigging". sailboat-cruising.com. Retrieved December 29, 2016.