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

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

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?


Betcha getting whacked with that giant boom hirts a lot more than a
regular one....

katy wrote:

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?

Heavy spar that needs to be hoisted - this implies more complicated
rigging for the halyard(s) instead of the simple no-mechanical-advantage
systems on a marconi rig. More stuff to go wrong when hoisting or
lowering the sail. Not a showstopper by any means, but there's elegance
in simplicity.

Betcha getting whacked with that giant boom hirts a lot more than a
regular one....

If you get whacked hard enough, it's painless.

//Walt

Walt wrote:

Heavy spar that needs to be hoisted - this implies more complicated
rigging for the halyard(s) instead of the simple no-mechanical-advantage
systems on a marconi rig.

What, no winches on your Marconi rig???

Lady Kate: 16' by 3"to 4" (shaped) gaff main. No winch needed. Simple
block setup. All running rigging visible and easily fixable. Good
exercise. [If incapable of much physical effort due to
age/infirmity/sedentary lifestyle, or just lonely, you could add a
winch.] Downside is lots of line: you do need to learn ropehandling, no
longer a common skill.

Flying Tadpole
----------------------------------
www.flyingtadpole.com

Flying Tadpole wrote:
Walt wrote:

Heavy spar that needs to be hoisted - this implies more complicated
rigging for the halyard(s) instead of the simple
no-mechanical-advantage systems on a marconi rig.


What, no winches on your Marconi rig???

Nope. No winches. No motors or electronics either.

Lady Kate: 16' by 3"to 4" (shaped) gaff main. No winch needed. Simple
block setup. All running rigging visible and easily fixable. Good
exercise. [If incapable of much physical effort due to
age/infirmity/sedentary lifestyle, or just lonely, you could add a
winch.] Downside is lots of line: you do need to learn ropehandling, no
longer a common skill.

So even with a block system, raising the mainsail is "good exercise".
I'd say that's a disadvantage over a marconi rig. Not a big one, and
perhaps outweighed by other considerations.

OTOH, the need to learn ropehandling should go in the "advantage" column.

//Walt

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

Go for it, Jon. I think a gaff rig would look great on a Sabre 30. In
fact, why not consider turning the boat into a schooner with four or five
headsails . . . :-)

Max

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

Go for it, Jon. I think a gaff rig would look great on a Sabre 30. In
fact, why not consider turning the boat into a schooner with four or five
headsails . . . :-)

Max



Hey, two of us managed a clubbed jib and a main staysail, but then we
cheated.

--

Flying Tadpole
----------------------------------
http://www.soundclick.com/flyingtadpole
http://music.download.com/timfatchen
http://music.download.com/internetopera

Heh... I wasn't thinking of putting it on my boat...

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Maxprop" wrote in message
ink.net...

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

Go for it, Jon. I think a gaff rig would look great on a Sabre 30. In
fact, why not consider turning the boat into a schooner with four or five
headsails . . . :-)

Max

Capt. JG wrote:
Heh... I wasn't thinking of putting it on my boat...

Thank you..I am relieved....mucking up a Sabre like that would have made
me question your sanity (not that I haven't questioned it
before...smilie thing...)

No problem... I question my sanity every morning.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"katy" wrote in message
...
Capt. JG wrote:
Heh... I wasn't thinking of putting it on my boat...

Thank you..I am relieved....mucking up a Sabre like that would have made
me question your sanity (not that I haven't questioned it before...smilie
thing...)