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