Bowsprit

A spar projecting forward from a vessel’s bow to support rigging or the tack of a forward sail.

On traditional rigs it may carry forestays and stays for jibs, increasing the foretriangle or spreading the standing-rigging loads. Modern yachts may use a fixed or retractable bowsprit primarily for an asymmetric spinnaker or other reaching sail without attaching the mast’s forestay to it.

The bowsprit, bobstay, whisker stays, fittings and deck structure must suit the direction and magnitude of their loads. Its projection creates collision, mooring and crew-access hazards and may affect the vessel’s measured overall length.