Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 20, 2026

Beitass

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.

Last revised
Jun 20, 2026
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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.123

References

References

  1. "Glossary of Viking Words". Archived from the original on 2007-09-30.
  2. Grambs, David (1993). Did I Say Something Wrong?. Penguin Group. p. 75. ISBN 0-452-26831-1.
  3. Gedney, Elias. Ships and Navigation of the SCA Period (PDF). East Kingdom Guild of St Erasmus. p. 11.