Gaff Rig?

[Curt Varner]

Has anyone tried an unstayed gaff rig on CS17 or CS20?

 

Ideally, I would like to be able to set one up with only a lite jib stay and a shorter wooden mast for single hand sailing and beach camping.  I would of course be keeping my two aluminum masts so I can sail as a cat ketch when I like, but for solo overnights I was thinking the gaff would be easier to reef under way, go under more bridges with its shorter mast, and allow for a simple boom tent camp setup.  Also would be easier to row on my own without straddling the mizzen mast.

 

Thanks to another member for the photo of his old boat...

[Don Silsbe]

I’ve never understood the fascination that some have with gaff rigs.  Wouldn’t it be cheaper to add sail track and reefing to your current rig?  And why not use a boomless lug rig?  That’s the simplest to reef as well as raise.

 

 

When I row my boat, I move the mizzen forward.

[Hirilonde]

1 hour ago, Thrillsbe said:

I’ve never understood the fascination that some have with gaff rigs. 

Other than on a classic boat of the era, I agree. 

 

There is no way reefing a gaff is easier than a sprit Marconi. And if you are looking for a sail plan for a good blow, a fully reefed main and mizzen on a cat ketch is about as short of a lever arm as you can get with a still viable rig.

 

As to sleeping floor plan, I would do what I had to do with a well rigged sailboat.

[Paul356]

I agree with Dave and Don.  It takes me a minute, maybe less, to reef both sails on my CS 17.  What could be easier than that?  The mizzen keeps me pointed to wind, or actually just off wind, while I reef the main, and the mizzen almost reefs itself.  I haven't found a big need to tie in the reef points, although I can do it if I have time.  Head to wind then -- 3 seconds each -- sheet mizzen, loosen main halyard, loosen main snotter, tighten forward reefing line, tighten rear reefing line, hoist main halyard, tighten snotter.  Loosen mizzen sheet, repeat reefing routine on mizzen.  Back main slightly or use rudder to get back close hauled.  Done, all from the center thwart.

[Don Silsbe]

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

As many of you know, my sails are laced on.  They are not reefed in the classic way.  I was pondering how I’d re-step the mizzen in a blow.  Some time ago, a good friend of mine on this forum suggested to me that I could leave the mizzen in the aft position, raise the c/b to shift the CLR aft a bit, and just sail that way.  I never tried it until today.  The winds were variable, but they frequently reached 10 mph.  Not exactly a blow, but a nice breeze.  I never unfurled the main, but only ran with the mizzen aft.  I was short on time, but here is what I found:

1.  On a run and a broad reach,  there was absolutely nothing “wrong”.  I liked it.

2. On a beam reach at 10 mph wind, my boat speed was over 3 mph, and there was no weather helm.  (!)

3.  I didn’t get to analyze sailing in a beat, because I was running late.  I’m sure I wouldn’t point very high, but I felt confident that this was definitely possible.  The big question for me is would she actually come about when tacking.  More research is required.  (All research has this as a conclusion.)

 

So, before you commit an expensive gaffe, try furling your main, raising your c/b, and give this a try.  That’s the sprit!