in stays

nautical Of a vessel, having its sails flapping as it moves into the wind. The captain says we need to keep the ship in stays for now! A: "Are the sails all right?" B: "Yes, we are to keep them in stays for now. Deckies, the ship needs to be in stays as we move into the wind.

See also: stay

See also:

back and fill
back and fill, to
filling
brace aback
on the wind
sail near the wind
near the wind
brace by
forge over
close to the wind

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