Any advice on removing the mizzen?

[rascacio]

I'm looking for some advice from more experienced sailors with a view to removing the mizzen on my Columbia 45. When they were built the 45 came in three configurations ie 1 Std keel tall rig. 2 shallow keel tall rig and 3 std keel ketch. The main mast on the ketch is approx 7' shorter than the standard. The standard sail plan at the time had approx 814sqft of sail and the ketch had 770sqft. Now on my boat the genoa is a 150% and between the main and genoa i have 825sqft and the mizzen gives an extra 103sqft. The reason I want to remove the mizzen is that after living aboard for 3 years I did not really use it that much and as the transom is quite narrow by modern standards it is very cluttered with the rigging,mast and boom. When using the mizzen it only really gave a very small increase and I think the space could be better used for access and convenience. So if anyone has done the same or can give some advice I would be most grateful

 

[chockswahay]

Hi Rascacio,

I can't give you any advice because I have not removed my mizzen mast yet. However, I too have been thinking about removing the mizzen on our 44ft ketch too. The argument for keeping it is that you have a wide choice of easily handled sails and that when motoring the mizzen will provide stability and help reduce roll. In my experience a fully reefed main is just as good when motoring and that the mizzen is only really useful (when sailing) when the wind is just forward of the beam........how often does that happen!!??

In practice I think it just gets in the way of the cockpit, so I think I might well remove mine for a season and see what happens!

Oh, I do remember talking to a chap in Jersey a couple of years ago who had removed his mizzen and found it made barely any difference to his speed, but gave him loads more room!

I do love my boat, but let's face it, ketch's are a bit too 'old school' these days.

Cheers

Chox

 

[rascacio]

Yes chockswahay my sentiments exactly but I'll probably leave it a bit longer. Hoping to get back in the water this spring and head for Tunisia or Greece so I'll probably use that trip as a final decider

Cheers

 

[KellysEye]

>the mizzen is only really useful (when sailing) when the wind is just forward of the beam

I find it odd you say that. We use a mizzen on all points of sail except hard on the wind when it just produces drag. It's particularly useful when running with twin headsails or a kite (the main interferes, the mizzen doesn't).

On removing the mizzen mast, you just end up with an unbalanced sail plan - the main mast on a ketch is further forward than a sloop. I suspect it would also affect the resale value. As for ketches being 'outdated' they are more expensive to build and the AWB market wants cheap more than it wants the benefits of a ketch.

 

[rascacio]

Some of what you say is true,however on this boat the main mast is in exactly the same place as on the sloop it's just a bit shorter.The ketch version was added as an after market thought.It was designed on day one as a sloop by Bill Tripp Snr at the beginning of the 70's.The mizzen was definately an afterthought. Also the headsail she is carrying is double the size of that supplied as standad back in 1972 when she was built.
We are looking for a trade off between space and performance from a liveaboards viewpoint but all comments are being taken on board. Thanks very much.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

If mine fell overboard I would seriously think about not replacing it.
This is my first ketch and I still haven't got the point of a mizzen after five years. Its useless on a beat since it is foulwinded by the main . Its useless on a reach where the cruising chute comes into its own.Its useless on a run as it masks the mainsail. It makes the bimini installation more complex.
Its good at anchor to stay head to wind and reduce yawing.Otherwise it blocks the cockpit and puts up a lot of extra windage.
The boat has a fully battened mainsail with a good roach which is probably much more powerful than the original sailplan and sails beautifully without the mizzen being hoisted so I mainly don't bother.

 

[Capn Pugwash]

I have a Whitby 42 ketch which (fortunately I guess!) has a centre cockpit so the mizzen is not a major obstruction. When we sailed across the atlantic it came into its own. Lots and lots of sail plans - but mostly used a storm jib and double reefed mizzen! Still got 12 kts SOG and comfortable as you like. Some ketches I know, the owners have sworn to hacksaw the bloody thing off! Horses for courses I would say, but certainly wouldn't be without mine! Even in the solent it works well on most occasions.

 

[Capn Pugwash]

Oh...one other thing I must admit, running backstays are a pain in the butt!