![]() ![]() Of course, it all depends on the boat's bottom geometry as well.Äownwind, we can set 2 spinnakers (main +mizzen) with small staysails and really get going. We find that when going upwind in heavy weather +30knots, a small yankee + staysail + mizzen (1 reef) is a great combination that will allow one to lie close to the wind for hours (days) and not even needing to use the autopilot or the windvane. On our ketch, we do have an inner forestay, hence it's a cutter-ketch rig. It would be interesting to make a detail cost study. However, the sails are smaller and easier to handle - hence hardware size goes down (and cost) - but it probably still is more expensive to have a ketch rig versus a cutter rig. Of course, the downside is that you get an extra mast, extra hardware, etc. If you are motoring or motorsailing, you can also use the mizzen as a windvane to reduce the need for autopilot. It's also been my experience that the mizzen on the ketch is a very valuable sail at anchor (to stabilize rolling and orient the bow to the wind), and also to get out of tight squeezes under sail (you can back it easy, etc.). ![]() ![]() Basically, there are more combination available to balance the sailplan with a ketch. I've had both types of sailplan and have to say that the ketch rig offers more flexibility than the cutter rig, especially in heavy weather. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |