wrote in message
ups.com...

Being seriously radical, get rid of the vertical mast and
replace it
with a sort of vertical wishbone with a vertical cable running
its
length down the middle where the mast would be. You would
have
conventional fore and back stays but the spreader and shrouds
would be
different. The sail RINGS would run up and down the vertical
cable.
Furhtermore, this sail would be more efficient than one with a
conventional mast as the airflow would not be disturbed by the
mast.

I had a chance to go aboard the 50 ft South Carolina with the
same type of rig, in which Robin Davie sailed the 98-99 Around
Alone. Impressive boat... He did retire from the race due gear
problems, but did complete the circumnavigation approximately 5
hours after the winner.