Definition

Noun

  1. A rope or heavy rod, fastened to a square yard, to which a sail is bent.
  2. A wire or rope secured between two points and used as a support for equipment.

Origin

18th century.

Comments

A jackstay can also be a line, rod, or bar in the crew’s quarters for hanging hammocks, clothes, and gear. In other examples, breeches buoys, deck awnings, and hoses from refueling tankers are rigged on jackstays.

Ideally, there’s a safety factor of four when rigging a jackstay. That is, the load supported by the jackstay including its own weight, shouldn’t be more than 1/4th the breaking strain of the wire/rope used.

References

Kemp, P. (1994). The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea. Oxford University Press.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.