jackstay

In nautical|lang=en terms the difference between rope and jackstay

is that rope is (nautical) cordage of at least 1 inch in diameter, or a length of such cordage while jackstay is (nautical) a line (rope, webbing or cable), attached to a boat at the ends, to which a safety harness can be clipped to restrain falling in rough conditions and to prevent falling overboard.

As nouns the difference between rope and jackstay

is that rope is (uncountable) thick strings, yarn, monofilaments, metal wires, or strands of other cordage that are twisted together to form a stronger line while jackstay is (nautical) a stay (rope, bar or batten), running along a ship's yard, to which is attached the head of a square sail.

As a verb rope

is to tie (something) with something.