If the posts don't meet the
keel then I believe that they are called Sampson posts.
"Sampson post - A strong vertical post used to support a ship's
windlass and the heel of a ship's
bowsprit."
"knighthead (plural knightheads)
1. A mitred backing timber which extends the after line of the rabbet in the stem to give extra support to the ends of the planks and the bowsprit.
2. A bollard or bitt.
3. Either of two timbers rising from the
keel of a sailing ship and supporting the inner end of the bowsprit."