Glossary · Rig
Backstay
Also called: Pataras, bastaque, bastaques, runner, runners, running backstay
The wire or rope holding the mast from behind; runners are the movable version, one per side.
The backstay pulls the mast aft and balances the forestay. On boats with a large square-top mainsail it would foul the sail, so it is replaced by runners, tensioned on the windward side and eased to leeward at every tack.
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No source yet · updated 30 Sept 2026