Beitass

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

A beitass, or a stretching pole, is a wooden spar used on Viking ships that was fitted into a pocket at the lower corner of the sail. This innovation was used to stiffen and hold the edge of the sail when sailing close to the wind.[1][2][3]

References

  1. ^ "Glossary of Viking Words". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  2. .
  3. ^ Gedney, Elias. Ships and Navigation of the SCA Period (PDF). East Kingdom Guild of St Erasmus. p. 11.