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