problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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....

problems with gaff rigs?
 

"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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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?


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.

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.

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. 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).



--

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..

Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting
a
gaff


for your tugboat?

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting
a gaff



Scotty wrote:
for your tugboat?


No, like this
http://www.shrimperowners.org/Home/i...wake718_fs.jpg

DSK

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Scotty wrote:
"DSK" wrote in message
. ..

Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting

a

gaff



for your tugboat?




It's already gaff rigged...I saw it...

problems with gaff rigs?
 

DSK wrote:
Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting
a gaff




Scotty wrote:

for your tugboat?


No, like this
http://www.shrimperowners.org/Home/i...wake718_fs.jpg


DSK

Oh cute...there's one of those out at the city marina in Cape Char;es...

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Taddy and Doug... great answers! That's what I was looking for...

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

"DSK" wrote in message
. ..
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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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...)

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,
which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.

In its defence though, on a cruising
rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
of the sail.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT





http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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...)

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Yes, I see what you mean. I was just curious, since the gaff rig is a lot
like a huge roach.

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

"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,
which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.

In its defence though, on a cruising
rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
of the sail.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT





http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Thom Stewart wrote:
Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,

..... which shows that, despite your years of sailing experience, it's
relatively narrowly based. Otherwise you'd know about saddles -
basically a leathered metal section that closely fits the mast off of
which the gaff pivots. Quite a neat arrangement.

which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.

Also untrue. You can lace the sail to the mast. The absence of
sailtrack also means the absence of track jams when trying to lower the
sail.

In its defence though, on a cruising
rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
of the sail.

There's an excellent book on all things related to the gaff rig by John
Leather IIRC. Called 'The Gaff Rig Handbook' I think.

PDW

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Thanks Peter... I'll check it out... I have a friend who is really
interested in this sort of setup.

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

"Peter" wrote in message
oups.com...

Thom Stewart wrote:
Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,

.... which shows that, despite your years of sailing experience, it's
relatively narrowly based. Otherwise you'd know about saddles -
basically a leathered metal section that closely fits the mast off of
which the gaff pivots. Quite a neat arrangement.

which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.

Also untrue. You can lace the sail to the mast. The absence of
sailtrack also means the absence of track jams when trying to lower the
sail.

In its defence though, on a cruising
rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
of the sail.

There's an excellent book on all things related to the gaff rig by John
Leather IIRC. Called 'The Gaff Rig Handbook' I think.

PDW

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Scotty posted to Doug's comment:
Gaff rigs are cool. I keep toying with the idea of getting a gaff

for your tugboat?

Go for it Doug; A Gaff Rigged Steadying Sail.-------That would be Cool.
A PITA
but Cool!


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

I guess, maybe, you could call that a Gaff but Doug, that is a
"Connecticut Rig" and quite different in theory. Sail Theory.

It's to have a higher hoist with a short Mast. It was a Rule buster.

Jack Kennedy's Star had that rig.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Capt. JG wrote:
Yes, I see what you mean. I was just curious, since the gaff rig is a lot
like a huge roach.

You can smoke it?

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Capt. JG wrote:
Yes, I see what you mean. I was just curious, since the gaff rig is a
lot like a huge roach.


katysails wrote:
You can smoke it?


heh my first thought was... time to put on those pointy-toed
cowboy boots!

DSK

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Jon,

That Roach,as you say, is also a problem on a beam reach or a run. It
puts the center of effort pretty far outboard of the hull. This produces
a lot of weather helm which created those big "Barn Door" rudders. This
also created the bow sprit and Jib to reduce the tendency to :Round Up
and created the Friendship Sloop. A thing of Beauty to these Ole eyes of
mine. I can't think of a prettier sight than a Friendship Sloop,
carrying a Top sail, scudding across the water.

Ah, memories of an Old Man.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Capt. JG wrote:
Thanks Peter... I'll check it out... I have a friend who is really
interested in this sort of setup.

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

"Peter" wrote in message
oups.com...

Thom Stewart wrote:
Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,

.... which shows that, despite your years of sailing experience, it's
relatively narrowly based. Otherwise you'd know about saddles -
basically a leathered metal section that closely fits the mast off of
which the gaff pivots. Quite a neat arrangement.

which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.

Also untrue. You can lace the sail to the mast. The absence of
sailtrack also means the absence of track jams when trying to lower the
sail.

In its defence though, on a cruising
rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
of the sail.

There's an excellent book on all things related to the gaff rig by John
Leather IIRC. Called 'The Gaff Rig Handbook' I think.

Jon, I think it's fair to say that the gaff rig isn't going to point as
high as a marconi rig. Nobody really disputes that, tho the difference
might depend on a lot of other factors than the rig itself. OTOH you
get to set a lot of sail on relatively short sticks which makes staying
a lot easier & stronger, reducing the cost of the rig itself.

As a racing rig for round the buoys, its day has gone. As a cruising
rig - got a lot going for it still.

PDW

problems with gaff rigs?
 

"Peter" wrote in message ups.com...
|
| Capt. JG wrote:
| Thanks Peter... I'll check it out... I have a friend who is really
| interested in this sort of setup.
|
| --
| "j" ganz @@
| www.sailnow.com
|
| "Peter" wrote in message
| oups.com...
|
| Thom Stewart wrote:
| Jon,
|
| My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
| years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,
|
| .... which shows that, despite your years of sailing experience, it's
| relatively narrowly based. Otherwise you'd know about saddles -
| basically a leathered metal section that closely fits the mast off of
| which the gaff pivots. Quite a neat arrangement.
|
| which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
| sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
| jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
| PITA.
|
| Also untrue. You can lace the sail to the mast. The absence of
| sailtrack also means the absence of track jams when trying to lower the
| sail.
|
| In its defence though, on a cruising
| rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
| of the sail.
|
| There's an excellent book on all things related to the gaff rig by John
| Leather IIRC. Called 'The Gaff Rig Handbook' I think.
|
| Jon, I think it's fair to say that the gaff rig isn't going to point as
| high as a marconi rig. Nobody really disputes that, tho the difference
| might depend on a lot of other factors than the rig itself. OTOH you
| get to set a lot of sail on relatively short sticks which makes staying
| a lot easier & stronger, reducing the cost of the rig itself.
|
| As a racing rig for round the buoys, its day has gone. As a cruising
| rig - got a lot going for it still.
|
| PDW
|

It is antiquated. It is too heavy aloft. It has too much weather helm when the wind gets up. It is
much harder to reef. It requires more running rigging. Only stupid people would go gaff instead
of Marconi.

Paladin
(Have Blue Water Yacht - Marconi Rigged - Will Travel)

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Peter,

I've heard of "Saddles" but I've never seen it use. Have You? If you
have Where have you seen it use and on what vessel ?

After the Marconi Rig came into being, designers just added height to
the Mast and used higher narrower sails to reduce weather helm and the
need for larger rudders and weather helm, with the slowing of the boat
with rudder holding course.

No Peter, I can't ever remembering seeing a "Saddle" used but there are
many things I hasn't seen.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:25:57 -0800, "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?


Unless you're planning to drop a trawl and run down wind to catch
shrimp, what possible need would you have for it?

Frank

problems with gaff rigs?
 

"Thom Stewart" wrote
| No Peter, I can't ever remembering seeing a "Saddle" used but there are
| many things I hasn't seen.


And many more you can't remember seeing. Too much hard liquor kills the ole memory.

The saddle is the thing on the business end of the gaff and the boom that straddles
the mast. It's usually made of wood and takes the place of the gooseneck.

Paladin
(Have Blue Water Yacht - Will Travel)



--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Nostalgia?

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

"Frank Boettcher" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 17:25:57 -0800, "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?


Unless you're planning to drop a trawl and run down wind to catch
shrimp, what possible need would you have for it?

Frank

problems with gaff rigs?
 

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

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Paladin wrote:
"Peter" wrote in message ups.com...
|
| Capt. JG wrote:
| Thanks Peter... I'll check it out... I have a friend who is really
| interested in this sort of setup.
|
| --
| "j" ganz @@
| www.sailnow.com
|
| "Peter" wrote in message
| oups.com...
|
| Thom Stewart wrote:
| Jon,
|
| My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
| years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,
|
| .... which shows that, despite your years of sailing experience, it's
| relatively narrowly based. Otherwise you'd know about saddles -
| basically a leathered metal section that closely fits the mast off of
| which the gaff pivots. Quite a neat arrangement.
|
| which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
| sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
| jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
| PITA.
|
| Also untrue. You can lace the sail to the mast. The absence of
| sailtrack also means the absence of track jams when trying to lower the
| sail.
|
| In its defence though, on a cruising
| rig the sail shape is closer to the shape of the Max. area of the effort
| of the sail.
|
| There's an excellent book on all things related to the gaff rig by John
| Leather IIRC. Called 'The Gaff Rig Handbook' I think.
|
| Jon, I think it's fair to say that the gaff rig isn't going to point as
| high as a marconi rig. Nobody really disputes that, tho the difference
| might depend on a lot of other factors than the rig itself. OTOH you
| get to set a lot of sail on relatively short sticks which makes staying
| a lot easier & stronger, reducing the cost of the rig itself.
|
| As a racing rig for round the buoys, its day has gone. As a cruising
| rig - got a lot going for it still.
|
| PDW
|

It is antiquated. It is too heavy aloft. It has too much weather helm when the wind gets up. It is
much harder to reef. It requires more running rigging. Only stupid people would go gaff instead
of Marconi.

Paladin
(Have Blue Water Yacht - Marconi Rigged - Will Travel)

Hah.

All you are is a handful of acerbic bytes on the net. You hide your
identity so that you can pretend to be a competent human being, but
it's still obvious that you're not. Your opinion is completely
worthless.

I'd suspect you'd loooooove junk rigs then.

PDW

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Paladin wrote:
It is antiquated. It is too heavy aloft. It has too much weather helm when the wind gets up. It is
much harder to reef. It requires more running rigging. Only stupid people would go gaff instead
of Marconi.


It's pretty clear you've never sailed a gaff rig.


Peter wrote:
Hah.

All you are is a handful of acerbic bytes on the net. You hide your
identity so that you can pretend to be a competent human being, but
it's still obvious that you're not. Your opinion is completely
worthless.

I'd suspect you'd loooooove junk rigs then.


And be just as incompetent with one of those, as with a gaff.

DSK

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Neal,

I do remember that a "GooseNeck" is a fitting on the "MAIN BOOM" A
permanent one position fitting connecting the Main Boom to the Mast. It
doesn't get hoisted as would a Saddle or Boom Jaw on a "GAFF BOOM "
:^))

Your sailing ignorance has been demonstrated very well in your post.
Thanks Doppy, I don't think a reply is necessary on my part, thanks to
you.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Neal/ Paladin,

Take your "Blue Water Yacht and travel" please do.


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Doug,

The only Gaff Neal is acquitted is a Gaff Hook that has been used to get
"Know Nothings" out of the way


http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ILLDRINKTOTHAT

problems with gaff rigs?
 

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
No problem... I question my sanity every morning.

As well you should. Of course I tend to be suspect that you haven't come up
with a definitive answer by now.

Max
:-)

problems with gaff rigs?
 

No need to suspect. I haven't. If I do, I think I'll be in trouble either
way.

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

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

"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
No problem... I question my sanity every morning.

As well you should. Of course I tend to be suspect that you haven't come
up with a definitive answer by now.

Max
:-)

problems with gaff rigs?
 

Thom Stewart wrote:
Jon,

My major objection, after weight aloft is maintenance. Jon, In all my
years of sailing, I can't remember a Gaff rig without Gaff boom Jaws,
which means a greased main and a absence of a sail track which means
sail hoops on the Luff of the sail, which also increases the chance of
jamming, which also increases the need for a slippery mast, which is a
PITA.


OK Thom...a lot depends where the halyards are led, particularly the
throat halyard. If it's in column, the jaws simply become steadiers and
the gaff, which is hoisted parallel to the water, should hardly touch
the mast on the way up. The most pressure against the mast comes when
the throat halyard is at full hoist, and the peak halyard is peaking
the sail. When under way, there's no pressure of the jaws against the
mast, properly set up.

I do have leathered gaff jaws, also a tumbler to ride against the mast,
which it doesn't, making it totally redundant. There's no point in
greasing the mast: it's not needed and all it does is collect sand, grit
and grot.

Also: most gaff rigs have far too many hoops or rope parrels on the
luff of the sail. usually, only two or three are necessary until you
get into the ship size, and they're only needed for sail control in
hoisting and lowering, not for shaping the sail.

Weather helm was rarely an issue on Flying Tadpole: one used the weather
helm to help lift the boat bodily to windward, bat that was a deep
rudder. Lady Kate, with a tiny rudder, is set up as a cat yawl: most of
the advantages of a catboat, few of the disadvantages. And after Flying
Tadpole II's four sails, a mere two are child's play.

--

Flying Tadpole
----------------------------------
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problems with gaff rigs?
 

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