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Forestay
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
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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]