Changing rig to gaff cutter

[Reptile Smile]

I don't know - I'm just playing with the idea but I don't really know where to start.

I want a wooden mast anyway, but don't really know where to look, and I don't know whether I'm likely to find sails to fit my 24' Eventide, or whether they would have to be custom-made, and if so how much this would cost? I'd also need to fit a bow sprit and a furling system for the sprit sail.

There's a trad rigger near me in Bristol, but I think that if I have a job like this done, I'll never have seen a boating bill with so many zeros on it... I only paid peanuts for the boat, and though I don't mind spending a bit on her, I can't go mad with it. Any ideas?

 

[sideshowbob]

Suggest you should try the eventide owners bound to be plenty of people with words of advice. http://www.eventides.org.uk/

 

[maxcampbell]

I sail a gaff cutter, and I like the rig. First up, if by "sprit sail" you mean the one flown from the end of the bowsprit, most people would call it a "flying jib" (the other "jib" is a staysail) - sprit sails are what barges have.

More seriously, if you're going to stick a lot more canvas at the front end, then if the boat is well balanced now, you're going to have to shift the mast back.

A small furler is a minor item - prob £30 or £40.

Gaff - whether cutter or sloop - does give the advantage that to raise, lower or reef the main you don't need to point up head to wind - and that alone will keep me a gaffer, I think.

 

[lenseman]

Suggest you should try the eventide owners bound to be plenty of people with words of advice. http://www.eventides.org.uk/

Words of advice might already be too late, he needs restraining !!!



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[William_H]

Just forget the gaff rig idea. Especially iof you already have a functioning sloop (marconi) rig. Sure you could try a bow sprit and cutter rig but really it is most likely wjat you have is the best arrangement and certainly the cheapest. Just get out there and sail; it olewill

 

[Tranona]

I don't know - I'm just playing with the idea but I don't really know where to start.

I want a wooden mast anyway, but don't really know where to look, and I don't know whether I'm likely to find sails to fit my 24' Eventide, or whether they would have to be custom-made, and if so how much this would cost? I'd also need to fit a bow sprit and a furling system for the sprit sail.

There's a trad rigger near me in Bristol, but I think that if I have a job like this done, I'll never have seen a boating bill with so many zeros on it... I only paid peanuts for the boat, and though I don't mind spending a bit on her, I can't go mad with it. Any ideas?

Unless you can find a complete fig off another boat that will fit straight on, forget it. Minimum of 3k in materials to reduce the performance of the boat. If you like the look, Photoshop a picture of your boat with the right you like and hang it on the wall.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Lol, and thanks to all

I'll prob put a bowsprit on it - she was originally cutter rigged, and her weather helm is slightly annoying, I have the other sail already, and I think I can do this without too much faff. I'll let the gaff rig/wooden mast go for the time being unless a gift horse appears. Thanks to all for their input.

Olewill, your sage advice about 'just sail the damned thing' is the reason why my boat is the embarrassment of the marina as it is. I spend a lot more time sailing her than worrying about what she looks like

 

[Stemar]

Olewill, your sage advice about 'just sail the damned thing' is the reason why my boat is the embarrassment of the marina as it is. I spend a lot more time sailing her than worrying about what she looks like

Sounds familiar!

 

[chrishelen]

My old Eventide could be rigged as a cutter which i did from time to time,i think she sailed better as a cutter and the foresails were much easier to handle...you can add a bowsprit,its not a difficult job, mine was a six foot plank of wood.

PM me if you want the full details.
but ,yeah just sail the damn thing.