Capt. JG wrote:
So, what are the downsides to gaff rigs? I know about weight aloft and
possible handling issues with the gaff, but anything else?


Of course! There's always "something else!"

Flying Tadpole wrote:
The main downside, poorer pointing, is also a function of the main
upside, which is lower center of effort and greater ease of holding the
boat up under a press of canvas.


Yep... performance not so good to windward, GREAT off the wind.

A secondary downside is controlling twist. If the twist really upsets
you, the paraphernalia of downhauls and vangs needed to reduce it to
modern desires, you might as well go for a modern rig.


You can vang a schooner's foresail pretty well, but I've
never seen a gaff vang run to the aft quarters that was
worth a durn. It does help bend the gaff for flattening,
though... just make sure your crew doesn't confuse it for
the running backs!


There is no point however in imitating the lightly sparred racing
gaffers of long ago: their rigs were every bit as prone to
disintegration as a modern highly-strung (!) bermuda racing rig.

Rather more so, I would think.
But let's mention in passing that the gaff-rigged maxi
racers of yore would shock many sailors with their speed off
the wind, several were clocked in the high teens and rumors
abounded of 20 knot runs.


..... THe
virtues come in cruising, on heavier boats (yes, Flying Tadpole II was a
quite intentional aberration, and she was terrible to windward in any
sort of a seaway). (Lady Kate's gaff by the way is almost identical to
Flying Tadpole II's mainmast).


Aerodynamically speaking?

The added weight of the gaff at the top of the sail can be
advantage, the sail definitely comes down when you want it
to. It also can be shortend down very quickly and easiy,
much faster than a marconi can be reefed (of course, it's
sort of an emergency measure and you do have to straighten
it up later). Just cast off the peak halyard and let the
upper half of the sail drop into the lee of the lower
half... "scandalizing" it's called.

Another advantage, often proclaimed by my grandfather as the
reason why he just couldn't get any enjoyment out of racing
marconi-rigged boats, is that between the peak & throat
halyards you have a very fine adjustment for sail shape.

Disadvantage... extra rope & pulleys flopping about on the mast.

Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting a
gaffer instead of a modern boat.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King