Cornish fishermen and their sails

[prv]

An idle thought for a wet Sunday...

Small fishing boats down West often have mizzen masts with small sails fitted. For example:

I don't remember ever having seen such sails hoisted, and I haven't noticed them on boats elsewhere. The one in the picture looks very neatly stowed, as if it doesn't get used often.

I realise that the official purpose is probably as a steadying sail, I don't need a dozen posts telling me about that idea. But I know we have a pro fisherman or two here, and I'd be interested to hear from them whether these sails are actually used (and if not, why they are fitted anyway) and whether my impression that they're only found on West Country boats is correct (and if so, why).

Cheers,

Pete

 

[Tidewaiter2]

East Coast drifters out of Lowestoft and Yarmouth had them for hauling and shooting, and a lot of West Coast Swedish fishing boats still have then, but in metal!

 

[Storyline]

There is a small prawner operating from Oban (I think) with that exact same setup. See him out & about in the Firth of Lorne but never seen the sail hoisted. Maybe they use them in long summer days when they can anchor for a few hours kip and work their gear for long days without returning to base. Some of these small potters also go for mackerel as bait so maybe they deploy them when stationary and jigging

 

[prv]

East Coast drifters out of Lowestoft and Yarmouth had them for hauling and shooting

Had, or have?

Pete

 

[trapezeartist]

We saw quite a few in the Scillies with the mizzen sail permanently unfurled. Such a tiny sail on a motorboat, we concluded it was a riding sail (as we swirled to and fro on the anchor and the fishing boat sat resolutely static).

 

[horatio_nelson]

I saw a couple of fishing boats with that rig, sail furled, in the Channel Islands recently and also wondered about their actual use - presumably they are there for a good reason

 

[rich]

Steadying and head to wind at anchor

 

[Ru88ell]

There are a number of them operating out of Mylor, and they are permanently raised.

 

[tolhurstorganic]

There are a number of them operating out of Mylor, and they are permanently raised.

If you have ever sailed a ketch you will appreciate the value of the mizzen, not so much for driving the boat along, it only works with wind beam or abaft beam but in particular if you are single handed. I use my mizzen a lot more when sailing solo, great for keeping head up to wind for raising main, keeping steady at anchor and hove too to reef sails. Handy for fishing too.

 

[prv]

If you have ever sailed a ketch you will appreciate the value of the mizzen, not so much for driving the boat along, it only works with wind beam or abaft beam but in particular if you are single handed. I use my mizzen a lot more when sailing solo, great for keeping head up to wind for raising main, keeping steady at anchor and hove too to reef sails. Handy for fishing too.

I used to sail a gaff yawl, and used the mizzen for most of those things. That boat also hove to beautifully, and you could use the mizzen sheet to adjust the angle to the wind that she lay at.

But I've not seen the Cornish fishermen actually hoist theirs.

Pete

 

[Sandgrounder]

As a child, in the mid 60's, I recall seeing a fishing boat anchored in the bay in Saundersfoot (Pembrokeshire) with a very similar sail. I can only assume that I saw it set because I don't think I would remember the bare spars but..............

 

[Ru88ell]

Pete - If you check our the western webcam at Mylor you'll see fishing boats with sails raised. You'll also see Kindred Spirit on the pontoon. ;-)

 

[Mavis]

They are for keeping the bow into the wind while shooting and hauling pots, nets, long lines, etc. also for fishing with rods or hand lines.

 

[fisherman]

They are for keeping the bow into the wind while shooting and hauling pots, nets, long lines, etc. also for fishing with rods or hand lines.

More or less... When hauling gear the boat will always settle in one attitude rather than at random, so keeping the helm one way you nudge the boat along, regaining ground lost to drifting and at the same time turning along the gear, always provided the wind is not dead astern. Helps with rolling as well.