"Steve Lusardi" wrote in message
...
In a 40 ft boat, you're talking about small sails in any configuration.
Any multi-mast configuration will not point well because the mizzen is
masked by the main. Off the wind, no problem, but close to the wind is
where the sloop has the hands down advantage. There is only so much
righting moment and if you share that across multiple masts and one mast
is effectively disabled by the main, serious sail area and close haul
drive is sacrificed. Additionally, 2 masts require more sails. Sails need
sail bags and sail bags need storage space. With a 40' boat, storage space
is at a premium for liveaboard use. That size is great for a vacation, but
as a permanent home, many creature comforts will have to be sacrificed and
your dream soon gets old.
You are in the dream stage now where all you can see is the bow wave in
crystal clear waters. You have no idea how much **** you end up carrying
and the frustration that sets in when you can't carry more. Add to that,
the misery of carrying your dirty laundry through the rain to the nearest
Laundromat and this idealistic scenario you now envisage goes to hell in a
hand basket. You will need a bigger boat if your dream is to survive and
they don't come cheap.
Steve
I would have to say that "small" is relative. My CT41 ketch had a main and
genny that were big enough that I had to be VERY careful about reefing
before the wind picked up too much or they could be too much for me to
handle. The sails on my Rawson 30 ketch are small compared with anything
larger than a Sabot (well, almost), but they fit her nicely and I can set
enough light air sail to keep moving if there's even a breath of wind.
As for the main blanketing the mizzen, this doesn't affect pointing ability,
only the effectiveness of the mizzen itself when sailing close hauled, and
isn't needed anyway. An older narrower-beamed ketch can outpoing many newer
sloops of the very beamy variety with wide spreaders and shrouds. Of course,
the narrower beam will also translate into less space down below. Everything
on a boat is a compromise.
--
KLC Lewis
WISCONSIN
Where It's So Cool Outside, Nobody Stays Indoors Napping
www.KLCLewisStudios.com