Converting to cutter rig.

[Gaspilot]

NOTE: This thread has been moved from the Sailboat Design and Technology Forum Rules for posting. Jeff H- Sailnet Moderator

I have my 30' sloop on the hard for a complete re-fit. I have drawn up the geometry etc for adding a bowsprit. I have already added an inner forestay.
My question is: Has anyone experience or advice on a project like this. My reason for doing it is I want to experiment with various sizes of head sail that can be flown on any combination of the three forestays thus allowing large areas in light airs but still being able to get down to the storm jib if things get busy. I am also condsidering adding a yawl rig mizzen maybe to balance the rig. I would love to hear from anyone with experience/advice on this.
Gaspilot.
"....Procrastination is the thief of time...."

[Jeff_H]

I have been involved in a number of projects like this, mostly on larger boats. Frankly, on a normal and reasonably well designed 30 footer, it makes very little sense to add an inner forestay, no less a bowsprit, or mizzen. A 30 footer generally does not need and is greatly damaged by the extra weight aloft, and the extra complexity and difficulty in handling implied by the extra rigging that you are contemplating adding. I would think that you would really screw up most 30 footers doing what you arfe proposing and have done already.

If you really want to add sail area in lighter air that you can use above a beam reach, then perhaps you should consider adding a code 0 to your sail inventory and adding a spinnaker for broad reaches and runs.

Jeff

[EO32]

I have a cutter and it is really a pain to tack my 135 genny through the slot between the front stay and stay sail.

On the other hand, I was out this last weekend, we wanted to just hang out on the water, so I had all sails down, except the stay sail, which self tacks. The wind was up, so we just poked around with stay sail, not worrying about gybing or tacking. It didn't point worth a damn.

[sailingdog]

EO32-

You need some mainsail up to really point.

[RXBOT]

Why not attach inner stay with a highfield lever, remove for the genoa put back in place for storm gib.

[jrd22]

I have to agree with Jeff, you are adding weight and complexity to a relatively small boat that was designed to sail as a sloop. Spinn's and asym's are for light air and don't mess up the design.

John

[EO32]

Originally Posted by RXBOT

Why not attach inner stay with a highfield lever, remove for the genoa put back in place for storm gib.

Not a bad idea, but I like the look of the cutter.

Also I rigged a solution, I call the "Genny Puller". It's a small line attached to the foot of the Genoa about a third of the distance from the tack and runs to a block on the pulpit and back to the cockpit.

When I tack, the Genoa lays up on the stay sail, then I pull the "Genny Puller" which slides more sail forward into the slot. The wind catches it and pulls it through the slot. So far it's been working good. Better than having to go forward and yank it through by hand on each tack.

[JackDawson]

Jeff, do you really think the weight of an inner stay added to a rig would be damaging? What's that, like 10lbs of wire on a 30 foot boat?

Nothing wrong with a staysail on a 30 foot boat when conditions warrant it. It's one thing to be racing with crew and another to be singlehanding on a long trip - tired and wet - and need to handle a big sail in a blow. That staysail with its attendant annoyances pays for itself.

Eo32: Nice idea with your genny puller!