Anyone here have any experience with Garry Hoyt's latest invention, The Hoyt Balanced Rig, or HBR as he calls it?
At the beginning of last season, I observed Garry testing what first appeared to be a very strange looking contraption, and eventually learned it to be the rig prototype. He slipped the boat at the very beginning of my dock at NEB in Portsmouth, RI, so I walked by it almost daily.
Since the prototype hull had no engine, one day my yacht broker and I even helped him in after one of his test sails - when the wind turned to dead calm. From this, I had a chance to talk with him and witness the rig up close, but have yet to go out in it.
As most know, Garry Hoyt's sailing entrepreneurial experiences include designs for Freedom Yachts and Alerion Express. His innovations also include: single line reefing, carbon fiber spars, Hoyt jib boom and now the HBR.
In September of 2007, his ownership of Alerion was transferred to Pearson Composites - as reported
HERE. His new company is promoting his popular jib boom and this unorthodox, strange looking rig. Here's a
VIDEO showing him sailing the prototype just over 2 months ago at my marina. My old boat has been sold and is on the hard there right now - awaiting warmer weather for the sea trial with her new owner.
My interest in this rig is mainly out of curiosity, since I have been researching which boat to buy as a day-sailer - until another cruising boat is found by my wife and I. I have no financial connection with this at all and also have limited experience with sailing as well - just trying to learn from others.
What does everyone think about the future success, or failure, of this new rig?