Beitass
Encyclopedia
A beitass, or stretching pole, is a wooden spar
used on Viking ship
s 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.
Spar
In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a pole of wood, metal or lightweight materials such as carbon fiber used on a sailing vessel. Spars of all types In sailing, a spar is a...
used on Viking ship
Viking ship
Viking ships were vessels used during the Viking Age in Northern Europe. Scandinavian tradition of shipbuilding during the Viking Age was characterized by slender and flexible boats, with symmetrical ends with true keel. They were clinker built, which is the overlapping of planks riveted together...
s that was fitted into a pocket at the lower corner of the sail
Sail
A sail is any type of surface intended to move a vessel, vehicle or rotor by being placed in a wind—in essence a propulsion wing. Sails are used in sailing.-History of sails:...
. This innovation was used to stiffen and hold the edge of the sail when sailing close to the wind.