SailNet Community - View Single Post - Fractional Rig vs. Mast Head Rig
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Old 01-08-2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikehoyt View Post
....but I had one huge reason to prefer Fractional rigs.

MONEY!!!!!

....... 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.
Great point, Mike... keeping the costs of headsails down has gotta help, esp if you're racing.

As others have pointed out, too, if the main on a frac is sufficiently powered up, you can get by cruising with a small non overlapping headsail (and a kite). This keeps costs down yet again, and leaves the Vberth or Quarter berth less littered with sailbags.

Small, relatively inexpensive sails, easy quick tacks - these are some serious advantages over the long haul.

btw - it's no wonder you admire PaulK's boat.. Its a J36!
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