Forestay
On a
sailboat, a
forestay is a piece of
standing rigging which keeps a
mast from falling backwards. It is attached either at the very top of the mast, or on a bendy mast between 1/6 and 1/4 from the top of the mast. The other end of the forestay is attached at the
bow of the vessel. Often a
sail is attached to the forestay. One such sail is a
jib or a
genoa. A forestay might be made from stainless steel wire on a modern yacht, or natural fibers on an older square-rigged ship.
Contrast with backstay and shrouds.