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I recently went boat shopping
Criteria was 1. cheaper than last boat. 2. Would give up interior comfort but required same or better performance.
In looking I saw a lot of cool boats. Some were masthead and some fractional. As I generally sail with a crew I was not biased for that reason but I had one huge reason to prefer Fractional rigs.
MONEY!!!!!
On a fractional boat the main is the most expensive sail. Similar sized boats will typically have a more expensive main on the fractional than the masthead but far cheaper headsails and spinnakers. Something in the order of 2/3 to 3/4 the cost of a headsail on a fractional boat to that on a similar sized masthead boat.
Since my boats typically only have one regularly used mainsail and at least three headsails (including spin) I decided I like fractional boats the best.
Jeff's comment that masthead boats usually require more headsails just adds more money to the argument.
For fun just take a J27 and a C&C27 (mark III, IV or V) to your local loft and ask for their pricing sheets. It is scary!
Note that I raced regularly on a Petersen / Wiggers 37 MH rig last two years and like it just as much. But then I am not paying for sails on that boat as I am only crew!
BTW - Paulk - I love the lines of your boat. What is it?
Mike
J27 #150
Nut Case
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