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Good points, thank you for the input. Indeed, I did a bunch of sketching and number crunching to plot the CE and its relationship to the CLR at various stages of reefing. At that time, I was plotting with the mast 15 inches forward of its existing position. If the chainplates are only 12 inches forward, is the 3 inches of difference a big problem? Could this problem be mitigated by the use of swept spreaders? Could it be more easily mitigated through the installation of intermediate shrouds to the aftmost chainplates? One reason why I have slowed down on the number crunching on the CE location is that I have learned of an adjustable mast step. This is made by Ensign Spars in Florida for the (nearly identical) New Ensign, and I believe it could avoid resorting to the adding/subtracting from 'sprit and boom, recutting sails and raking the stick that you mention. Yes, this approach may require altering the length of stays - certainly no picnic but still. I promise I won't discount the jib. I'm counting on it being similar to the stock working jib: around 85 sq ft. Probably only overlap the mast by about 6 or 8 inches, but I agree that even that should help smooth out airflow on the main. As for total sail area, the rated sail area for the Alberg22 with 100% foretriangle is 236 square feet. I gather people go a bit beyond that with 130% and 150% genoas. I do not plan to use a spinnaker, and I do not mind reefing early. So I have been looking at 160 in the main (up from 118 in the stock masthead sloop rig) plus 85 in the jib for a total of maybe 245 sq ft. If you feel this is too greedy for a boat with 7' beam and 3' draft of 3200lbs displ and 1540lbs external ballast, by all means let me know. I had originally been thinking of a short (18 inch) plank bowsprit, but now think I should be able to keep the rig all inboard. Since the short gaff rig I envisage will be rather like a bermudan rig with the head (and foot) lopped off, its center of effort will move forward as it is reefed, to a greater extent than more traditional gaffs. So my hope is that this move of the CE forward will maintain or re-establish helm balance as the wind increases, without the 'sprit. Promise, I'll get a sketch out before too long, but it is very helpful to me to get some of these issues sorted out first, so I don't embarrass myself or anything. Thank you again for your input.

Greetings, fellow enthusiasts, I am converting an Alberg 22/CapeDory22/Pearson Ensign to a short gaff rig, am open to suggestions, particularly on standing rigging and staying. Inspiration came from Michael Kasten's designs: high aspect ratio like a Baltimore pilot, short gaff like the Dutch. Plan is to use the stock mast (25 or 26 feet long), in case any future owner regards my work as heresy. Gaff will only be about 3.5 feet long (carbon fiber tubing purchased already) with a single halyard on bridle. Throat of gaff would be maybe 2.5 feet down the mast to keep mainsail luff long. I will stick to the working jib and forgo a genoa, in favour of greater area in the mainsail. Stock masthead main is only about 118 sq ft, mine would bump that up to 150 or 160. Obviously, the mast will have to move forward a bunch in order to maintain balance. If I move the mast forward a foot, it will be in line with the chainplate that was used for the forward lowers. I will use this front chainplate for the uppers and do away with forward shrouds. Is this scary? The middle chainplates would now be used for the aft lowers, at about the same angle as always. This leaves the aft chainplates. I could run intermediate shrouds from them to a point between the spreaders and the masthead, seems prudent. Maybe someday (in phase 2), I will bring the jibstay about 3 feet down from the masthead, and have it meet the mast at these intermediates so they can help tension it. But I would still need running backstays (at least in anything but light air). Since I am going to need running backstays anyway, I wish to launch (phase 1) with the jibstay remaining at the masthead. I realize this means I will need to make greater use of masthead running backstays to tension the forestay. But I have freed up my winches (no genoa sheets) so I may be OK on that front. So my first question is this: If I have to use masthead running backstays all the time anyway, do I need to install the intermediate shrouds going to the aft chainplates? My initial reaction is yes, it would help prevent losing the stick in case I blow a tack and don't get my runners sorted out in time. I just wonder, though, if they are worth the extra weight and windage aloft. If these intermediate shrouds only have 2 feet of sweep aft the mast, would I be better off with highfield levers that anchored farther back, and would allow me to get rid of the running backstays? I look forward to drawing on your impressive pool of expertise, Vincent