Staysail

Triangular staysails set forward of the foremost mast are called jibs, headsails, or foresails.

Unlike the cutter staysail, none of these sails have their luff affixed to a stay.

In cutter rigged yachts the genoa will often need to be furled before changing tack due to the difficulty in passing the big sail between the two forestays.

For example, in high winds a captain might reef a headsail, but that impacts the sail shape and can result in slower ship speed.

Instead, the headsail could be furled entirely and a staysail used instead, resulting in higher ship speed.