These sturdy wooden fairleads are fixed near the outer end of the bowsprit on traditional sailing vessels. They feature holes or sheaves that allow the fore-topmast stays to pass through smoothly down to the hull. They act as heavy-duty guides that manage chafe and maintain the correct angle for the standing rigging supporting the upper masts.
Heard on the job
Check the port bee on the bowsprit, I think the stay is chafing against the edge.
Also heard as
- bee block