Question about sails.

[Gilfy]

As most of you are aware, i am planning on building a 3 in 1 sailing dinghy.

However i really like the sail design on the weekender; the mainsail at least, (i don't think that the front sail would do too good on such a short boat as the 3 in 1). i like the two boom design of the weekender's sail, do you guys think a sail like that would work well on the 3 in 1?

Also, i am very new to the whole sailing thing, my only experience being on a sunfish at Younglife Camp. mayhaps you Kind Gents would help me with the lingo a bit?

[lewisboats]

The sail you are talking about is called a Gaff Sail...The top wood is called the Gaff and the bottom is the boom...which is optional. The front sail is called a jib (or a couple of other names depending on size and how it is connected). The problem with changing the type of sail being used is that the balance of the boat is affected...meaning that it could produce a lee helm or a weather helm...or even a neutral helm. You want a bit of weather helm...neutral helm doesn't give any feedback and lee helm is just plain dangerous. When you move the center of effort of the sail (which you would do by changing the sail from a Lateen to a Gaff) you change it's relationship to the pivot point (the lateral resistance made up of the underwater profile of the hull and the appendages like a dagger board or leeboard). A Gaff sail would probably give it more of a weather helm as the center of effort of the sail is further back(kind of like a weather cock on a barn roof) causing it to point into the wind if the tiller is let go. Too much weather helm is tiring to the skipper and can make the boat unmanageable if taken to extremes. To make the change you would have to re-calculate the centers for both the sail and the lateral resistance and reposition things to suit...which means you might have to move the daggerboard back a few inches. Then again...adding a skeg ( a fin extending from the lowest point aft) would have the same effect but might make it a bit less nimble in the turns. Your best bet would be to talk to the designer...who happens to post here and should see this if he has the time to browse.

Steve

[Barry Pyeatt]

If you want to learn more about Gaff Rigs, Frank (our host) has put together a great resource.

http://www.messing-about.com/gaffrig/

Some of the Stevenson's designs have a choice between a couple different rigs, But the 3 in 1 is a pretty small boat to change up the sail plan. This particular design is a compromise between a whole lot of variables that can effect performance in any of the three areas. So, in my opinion, you don't mess with what works well for this particular design.

A Skipjack as an example can use a couple different variations, the Gaff rig being one of them and it works well with either of them.

The new Super Skipjack will use the same sail set as the Weekender but should be a fine performer with a better sail area in a smaller boat.

Most of the Stevenson's designs are somewhat underpowered since they are designed for first time builders and learning to sail. All of them can carry more sail than designed for but at a disadvantage to the newbie since the entire boat becomes a lot more responsive and the newbie to sailing can quickly get out of control and face a potentially dangerous situation without understanding what is happening.

The 3-1 is a good design, with a lot of fun potential. A good initial project.

[Gilfy]

Hmmmmm perhaps i'll stick with a lateen sail then, i don't know this wind capturing science so well as to experiment yet.

[PAR]

I see no reason the 3 in 1 couldn't be a gaff cat, gaff sloop, Bermudian cat or sloop. Yes, you'll likely have to relocate the mast (not as much as some might think, probably just a few inches), but if you're early in the building of her, you have a better chance of doing it without having to hack up pieces already installed. I've seen 8' sloops, carrying a tee shirt sized (okay a xx tee shirt) jib. I too, think a jib would be a touch of a nuisance on a pram this size, but she'd look great as a gaff cat (no jib, just the gaff sail)

If you drop me an email I can walk you through the process of figuring out the centers (it's pretty east actually) so you can put a gaff on her.

[Andrew_Butchart]

Don't discount the lateen - it was the preferred rig for pirates in the Mediteranean for a long time. I quite liked it because it was very easy to use and store.

[Gilfy]

haha, maybe i'll make both, and see which is faster maybe not, but it WOULD be interesting wouldn't it?

OH! I have a question for you guys, is it possible to sail on the ohio river? its the nearest large body of water, but it has kinda a strong current in the middle. i hear from lots of folks that its impossible...

I figure i'll ask some real sailors about it.

[Barry Pyeatt]

You can sail almost any river but headed upstream you may very well be heading up stream but moving downstream. Currents are funny that way and not laughing funny.

Practically, if there is a quiet place with a large pool, like behind a dam, you shouldn't have any trouble sailing there. Otherwise be prepared to motor upstream quite aways and then sail yourself down and back.