On Wed, 02 Jul 2003 05:42:51 GMT, Geoff McCaughan
wrote:

In nz.general Roger Dewhurst wrote:

A sloop would never be mistaken for a ketch.

Even if seen in the dark, with the mast of another boat behind it giving the
impression of a 2 masted boat?


Sloop is a mast with a mainsail and a headsail.

Ketch is a shorter mizzen mast abaft (towards the stern from) the main
mast

A cutter rig is like a sloop except the mast is not a far forward,
making a longer fore-triangle for the headsail. The headsail area is
rigged with two headsails on two stays; the forestay and the staysail
stay.

Thus, a sloop has more power from it's mainsail (because it is larger)
and is balanced with the headsail.

Ketch rigs use smaller sails that may be easier to handle. But ketch
rigs do not go upwind as well and are not as fast as a single, taller
rig. I don't see very many new boats with ketch rigs unless they are
over about 60'.

The cutter has a smaller mainsail that may be easier to handle. It's
headsail can be large. With a roller furler, even a large headsail can
be set or furled quickly and easily. A stays'l can be used alone or
with a reefed mainsail in rougher weather. The cutter is a versatile
rig and is my rig of choice.

But any well-found boat will get you around and you'll have fun.