Fractional rig vs masthead rig....

[smeaks]

I can see some advantages of sail handling with a fractional rig and also note that the trend in newer boats is to carry a fractional rig. I have only had much experience of mast head rigs so where do the big differences lie in sailing performance between the two?

 

[Norman_E]

For a cruising boat there may not be much difference. The real difference is not between masthead and fractional but between having a big rig for the boat size or a small one, in other words sail area to displacement ratio has more effect.

 

[Modulation]

For a cruising boat there may not be much difference. The real difference is not between masthead and fractional but between having a big rig for the boat size or a small one, in other words sail area to displacement ratio has more effect.

I agreee with that comment. I've owned boats with masthead and fractional and found that its the sail area that really counts. that said, I've also found it a bit easier to control the jib on the fractional rigs so maybe that helps me to sail a bit better.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The real difference is not between masthead and fractional but between having a big rig for the boat size or a small one...

I find that the number of hulls makes the biggest difference.

 

[pugwash60]

I think that the mast bends more easily with a fractional rig, when tweaking your backstay.

 

[johnalison]

A fractional rig was found to be better to windward per unit sail area many years ago. The masthead rig became universal around the 1960s because of its simplicity and the fact that a given sail area can be carried lower and thus with less heeling moment.

What has changed is that modern sail handling, better blocks and cordage, slab reefing and jib furling means that even a family crew can manage a boat of up to 40 feet with a fractional rig and large main. These boats are significantly faster to windward, easier to sail downwind as the headsail isn't blanketed so much, and can carry a cruising jib or spinnaker that is still a modest size.

There is nothing wrong with a masthead rig and it may well be better for ocean passages, but a fractional rig gives the consumer better value today, which is why they are popular.

 

[Salty John]

I think that as you modify a 'racy' fractional rig to make it more suited to cruising you diminish its sailing advantages to the point that you might as well have a simple masthead rig.
A 3/4 rig with a bendy mast that relies on running backstays to support the mast while the fixed backstay does the bending is a bit labour intensive for cruising; make it 7/8 and stiffen the mast so you don't need the runners and you've lost much of the advantage.
Small headsails make tacking easier and that's an advantage for cruisers and racers, of course.

 

[dunedin]

A fractional rig was found to be better to windward per unit sail area many years ago. The masthead rig became universal around the 1960s because of its simplicity and the fact that a given sail area can be carried lower and thus with less heeling moment.

What has changed is that modern sail handling, better blocks and cordage, slab reefing and jib furling means that even a family crew can manage a boat of up to 40 feet with a fractional rig and large main. These boats are significantly faster to windward, easier to sail downwind as the headsail isn't blanketed so much, and can carry a cruising jib or spinnaker that is still a modest size.

There is nothing wrong with a masthead rig and it may well be better for ocean passages, but a fractional rig gives the consumer better value today, which is why they are popular.

With one important exception. In any wind behind the beam, sailing under masthead genoa only can be a very comfortable and fast way to sail. Simply unfurl the genny and go at speed - with no risk of gybing and the boat virtually self steers. We have spend many days without taking the mainsail cover off (whilst still sailing at speed, often faster than dual sailed boats). We can even beat rapidly to windward under genoa only, but not ideal in waves.
Modern cruising boats with very small headsails, particularly self tracking ones, lose this Safe and fast mode of travel

 

[AngusMcDoon]

We have spend many days without taking the mainsail cover off...

How un-seamanlike of you!

 

[LostinFrance]

For what is worth, I built my own 34 ft boat and because for the last 30 odd years I've raced boats and am a firm believer in the performance of fractional rigs I fitted mine with one.
Now I regret that decision because, yes the genoa is a bit easier to handle, and yes, I've put all the nice sail handling gear on, and when I race the boat it is a winner; but cruising with the missus (which I do more and more) is a real PITA when conditions aren't perfect. The main is a huge pig to fold correctly and to hoist short handed - and downwind in a swell you'd better keep your head down because when that boom comes over unintentionally it'll take your head off. A spinnaker is the only thing to use before the mast because the little genny is blanketed to such an extent that it's useless unless it's poled out, and for me and the missus it's not an option to even try flying one. And I haven't even started on about broaching when the main is not snapped off quickly enough - that's a big engine. Depends on what you do and the agility of your crew I suppose, but I'm feeling a bit past it now for the ruff tuff racing stuff.

Next boat gets a masthead rig, easier by far to handle in my opinion.

 

[William_H]

Mast head versus fractional

Certainly on smaller bosats ie 24ft down fractioanal rigs makes tacking much easier and sailing to windward better. Reefing the main is also far more efficient than rolling up a jib or changing a jib. I would agree that or ocean passages mast head is more surdy and the disadvantages don,t matter so much. I love my fractioanl 21fter rig. olewill

 

[doug748]

I used to miss my fast, folkboat type, 26 footer. She had an excellent, fast, fractional rig with no backstays and, in the days before universal roller reefing, it was nice to have a choice of just two headsails.
Now I am not so sure. I have a huge genoa and tiny main. I hate the restricted vision forward but can sail with a couple of rolls in at close quarters. For singlehanding it is good to be able to get the bulk of sail off the boat quickly in squalls, without leaving the cockpit. With a full main I can sail through most things, at least for a time, and the cockpit is not filled with miles of reefing gear. Downwind I don't have the problem of swept back spreaders causing wear on the main....but there is extra chafe on the genoa to compensate. Short tacking can be a pain, but the rig is very robust...so I am happy with either...depending.

 

[wklein]

They each have advantages and dis-advantages. In my opinion a slab reefed main reefed down is a lot more efficient than a furled genoa, and easier to handle. I think my boat is a good compromise for my purposes. Mast is masthead rigged and well forward with large mainsail. This gives solidity of masthead rig, excellent forestay tension and minimal performance loss from non overlapping headsail (with option of big overlapper)