Gaff saddles

[samfieldhouse]

Hi everyone,
I had the gaff saddle for my dad’s Yarmouth 23 recovered as it was in a very poor state. The saddler did a beautiful job. However, are there meant to be two holes for a length of string to loop around the mast? I can’t remember if it did before, and if the saddler has covered them over inadvertently!
Most of the pictures I see of gaff saddles don’t have holes - I assume the combination of weight of the gaff plus luff lacing is sufficient to hold the saddle against the mast?

 

[Mandarin331]

Well I would expect two holes for a set of parrell beads found the mast. Plain cord / rope will likely jam. There are times when the saddle will move away from the mast, especially when lowering or raising sail.

 

[srm]

The Drascombes I used to sail for work had a parrell line on the jaws of the gunter yards.
John Leather in his book "Gaff Gig" shows a parrell line with wood beads to hold the saddle against the mast.