Sure. The further away from the triangular plan form and the closer to the
elliptical, the better. The sprit's rectangle proved a better approach in
these trials. Note: the sprit used was not a low aspect ratio sail.

Another approach to the elliptical is provided by the use of battans.

Keep on with this line of thinking and you'll get to the gaff rig which was
also superior to the jib headed main in the trials.

IMHO the backstay is for 1) running or 2) providing most of the thrust via
the headsails.

As I've said before, you can't push a rope, nor any but the most extreme
varieties of sailcloth. The load put on the mast by the mainsail is aft.
(I like Chappelle's "Hampton Flattie" which uses the halyard as a forestay;
its only standing rigging.)

Roger

http://home.insightbb.com/~derbyrm

"Terry Spragg" wrote in message
.. .

A lower effort of heeling centre would be one reason to use any low rig in
a canoe or kayak.

I wonder if a marconi mast could do better if tried with a more square
sail, with the top cut off of a main too large for the backstay, a longer
boom, and a batten spar car hoisted a little below the tack of the sail.
Attacked to the sail's peak and trimmed close to car, it could affect the
curvature of the sail at it's top. The backstay could be disconnected and
seized to the mast base, freeing the leach of what could be a schooner
sized sail. With a vang at the bottom and a spar at the top, it may well
be a superior rig to the marconi sail, inside a backstay. Some boats will
balance well this way, especially if they have a history of too much
weather helm.

The sail itself will take the strain of the absent backstay, and a jib
flown low on a cutter stay could be accommodated. The spar might cause the
mast to curve one way or another, depending on how high the sail is
carried. When high, a foot or two above the spreaders, it would fatten the
sail, and when low and reefed at the foot, a foot or two below the
spreaders, would flatten it. A topping lift attached to the sail tack
would beef up the backstay function for scaredy cats who might feel better
with a backstay substitute. Two could be made self adjusting if fed back
to the boom as vangs and preventers capable of ensuring the main never
touches the lower shrouds. They would be set and forget.

If this rig was found suitable in all conditions except racing, the mast
could then be shortened. You might find yourself passing boats with
smaller ior rating penalties.

If I had a big old tall main to butcher, I might try it.

The batten spar, or two smaller wishbone style battens for balanced
tacking sail shape, would hang between the sail peak and the car in the
sail track. It could be trimmed from the cockpit, even in line with the
halyard.

It would contribute to weight aloft, which might be balanced by shortening
the mast and even downsizing or eliminating the spreaders.

A longer boom could be accommodated with the marconi backstay
disconnected.