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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

403.0. "Converting a Sloop to a CUtter" by COIN::GARDINER () Wed Sep 10 1986 13:58

    Does anyone have any information on converting a sloop rig to a
    cutter?  I want to move my mast aft 8" to better position it 
    over the main support beam.  I would like to add a staysail and 
    perhaps move the forestay onto a bowsprit, if necessary.

    What I am concerned about is balance.  I have done a sail plan that
    proportions the fore triangle an main area according to my original
    plan, but am unsure of some of the "trade secrets" that I need to
    consider when doing this.  
    
    Has anyone seen an article or book on doing this?  Does anyone know
    of a good Naval Architect that could work with me on this project?
    
    Thanks,
    Jeff
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
403.1GRAMPS::WCLARKWalt ClarkWed Sep 10 1986 15:039
    Do you have a lee helm now?  If not, that much movement is liable
    to give you a brutal weather helm.  If your current rig has a masthead
    type foresail, wouldnt it be just as effective to add an inner stay to
    the current setup ?   A bow sprit and moving the mast aft will
    change your aspect ratio a good bit which will (as I understand
    it) reduce the effeciency of the jib.
    
    Walt
403.2Did i have it backwards???USMRW6::RNICOLAZZOBetter living through chemistryWed Sep 10 1986 15:535
      RE .1
     
      I thought moving the mast aft increases lee helm and forward
    increases weather helm????
403.3.1 is wrong, .2 is correct, but ...COIN::GARDINERWed Sep 10 1986 18:1319
    Moving the mast aft will increase weather helm, not lee helm, if
    the main area remains the same.  I am reducing my main area
    substantially to compesate for this.  My boat was designed in 1958
    and built in 1965 so the main is bigggggg and fore triangle is
    relatively small.  My boom is 14.5' long and catches on the back
    stay during gybes.  I will be reducing the boom length to 12.7'
    so the arc misses the backstay after moving the mast aft.
    
    The boat now has significant weather helm which I overcame by
    installing a wheel steerer and modifying my rudder, so I don't feel
    that the change in "lead" will affect the balance that much.
    
    I am still looking for a Naval Architect or knowledgeable sailmaker
    to work on this project with me.
    
    Thanks,
    Jeff
403.4whose on first? whats on second!GRAMPS::WCLARKWalt ClarkThu Sep 11 1986 12:3619
    Jeff, thats what I said (your -< >- subtitle indicated the opposite
    of your .3 note).
    

    I know Im not answering your need, also, I dont know what you want
    to end up with as a main:jib ratio, but I see a tendency back toward
    larger mains/smaller jibs in cruising boats, which makes sense to
    me (as an owner of a boat that favors the main a bit).  
    
    Finally, it would probably be a lot cheaper to install a hydralic
    vang to keep the boom down, a good jib furler, and Geneoa meant
    for furling/reefing, than moving the mast and chainplates aft adding
    the bowsprit, and recutting the sails.
    
    Anyway, you should talk this over with an architect and weigh the
    cost with the value of the boat (it likely wouldnt add any $ value).
    
    Walt