Stays hold the MAST
They steady the mast.
I believe you are referring to the shrouds and the stays that are attached to the mast(s) for stability. See the related link below:
The Mast
the masts
Stays support the mast on a sailing boat running from the mast forward and aft. Shrouds also support the mast and run from the mast to the sides of the boat.
Ah, the beautiful stays on a sailboat! They are like the supportive arms of a friend, holding up the mast so it can catch the wind and carry you on your journey. Just like how we all need support sometimes, the stays keep the mast strong and steady as you sail through the waves of life. Remember, it's okay to rely on others for support, just like the stays rely on the mast to guide the boat safely to its destination.
The Mast
tabernacle
Yeah, on utility poles simply hold on the wires. It's always been like that and it will no doubt always stay that way, too
The answer is simple, the amount of weight a boat can hold depends on how big your boat is the bigger the boat the more water it displaces the more weight it can hold.
How much weight a boat will hold depends on the volume of the boat. This is called displacement. displacement is exactly equal to the weight of the water the boat displaces, that is the boat makes a hole in the water. The volume of that hole times the weight of water (64 lbs for salt water, 62.4 for fresh water) - displacement. The volume of water displaces is equal to the volume of the boat.