headstay

Mast's forward support

A headstay is a cable or wire running from the top of a sailboat's mast to the bow, providing forward support for the mast.

Headsails like jibs and genoas attach to it.

Also called a forestay, though some distinguish between them based on position or which sails they carry.

rigging

forestay

Forward mast-bracing cable

shroudsWraps that hide
backstayAft mast-supporting line
mastVessel's sail support

spreaders · turnbuckles · swage · standing rigging · lifelines · wire · fittings · clevis · pin · tang

sailing

jib

Triangular sail forward

genoaOversized forward sail
headsailForward-mounted boat canvas
furlingRolling up sails

furler · tacking · luffing · upwind · halyard · sheet · tack · clew · luff · leech

structure

tension

Stretched or strained state

supportTo uphold or sustain
mastVessel's sail support
bowRespectful forward inclination

forestay · anchorage · load · compression · balance · integrity · stiffness · alignment · sag · tuning

Opposites

fore-aft rigging position

headstaybackstay

Aft mast-supporting line

shroud · shrouds

Family

head, stay, heads, stays, headed, heading, headless, stayed, staying

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