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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

679.0. "the best rig?" by SKYLRK::MARCOTTE (George Marcotte SWS Santa Clara) Wed Oct 28 1987 03:58

    I'd like to start another religious argument going here.
    
    What is the best rig sloop, ketch,  gaff, cutters etc...
    
    
    
    
    George

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679.1Avoiding the religion...AYOU17::NAYLORWed Oct 28 1987 08:098
    Depends on what you're looking for!
    
    My own racer is a fractional sloop, capable of pointing up to within
    20 degrees of the wind on both tacks. BUT - as a cruiser she's rather
    fiery!
    
    Brian

679.2dependsMSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensWed Oct 28 1987 11:543
Exactly. The best rig is the one you like best for the sailing that you 
do on the boat you own. 

679.3My opinionCNTROL::HAYSIt is fall, isn't it?Wed Oct 28 1987 12:0322
RE:.0 by SKYLRK::MARCOTTE "George Marcotte SWS Santa Clara"

>    What is the best rig sloop, ketch,  gaff, cutters etc...
    
The best racing rig is a sloop.  It is the fastest upwind, and upwind
speed wins races.

The best cruising rig is probably a cutter.  I will admit that this will
gather some disagreement....

Balance and easier sail handling are advantages of a cutter over a sloop.
A sloop, as it reefs down, tends to develop lee helm, as the area of
the jib and the main moves forward as area decreases.  By switching
from a jib to a staysail, the rig stays in better balance.

The advantage a cutter has over a ketch, a schooner or other "exotic"
rigs is better speed to weather.  The disadvantage of a cutter is downwind
speed is not as good in moderate air (unless you wish to fly a 'chute).


Phil

679.4cutterGRANMA::HAJOHNSONWed Oct 28 1987 16:167
    One thing I like about my cutter is the ease of handling when short
    handed.  The main and staysail are self-tending.  We cruisers need
    to keep a hand free for the beer.
    
    Only four more sailing weeks til winter - that's Chesapeake time.
    

679.5ODIHAM::GOUGHTue Nov 03 1987 05:506
    In the English Channel environment the most favoured rig for cruising
    is the sloop quickly followed by ketch. Most of the racing machines
    are not unnaturally fractional. But at the end of the day as stated
    in an earlier reply it is all a matter of personal choice a bit
    like the arguments on who cuts the best sails.......