lilianroyle
Well-Known Member
I am planning to replace the damaged jaws on my gaff, and was wondering what the pros and cons are of jaws as opposed to saddle. I assume it has nothing to do with the angle of the gaff. Thanks.
Pete
Pete
Gaff: Jaws or Saddle
- Thread starter lilianroyle
- Start date
Kukri
Well-Known Member
Gaff Jaws or Saddle
Saddle, every time.
Much stronger, much less likely to trap halyards, much quieter (jaws squeak all the time)
No contest!
Saddle, every time.
Much stronger, much less likely to trap halyards, much quieter (jaws squeak all the time)
No contest!
Romeo
Well-Known Member
dur
Well-Known Member
I have had wooden jaws on a 19 and 22 footer. Both were originally laminated and on both the glue had failed causing the jaws to break. Current boat has a saddle which won't break unless the bolts falls out. I don't really think the jaws were any more prone to squeaking than the saddle - both need a dollop of vaseline or similar from time to time. I don't think the jaws would have broken if the glue hadn't failed. The saddle is actually really quite heavy which is not a good idea up the mast. If I didn't have a saddle I wouldn't buy one. As I have one I can't bring myself to make some nice solid ash jaws to compare...
Not helping much, am I?
Not helping much, am I?
lilianroyle
Well-Known Member
31 foot smack
Seagreen
Well-Known Member
Here's a compromise: jaws with a tumbler block. The tumbler spreads the direct pressure of the gaff against the mast, like the saddle, but you still get the security of jaws. All leathered up, there's little wear or noise. Works well on 36' yawl.
laurance
Well-Known Member
I have seen two sets of jaws break, on set made of oak and one of 'Tropical cedar' (a strong hardwood commonly used for framing and keels in the Carribean) The problem with wooden jaws seems to me that to be sufficiently strong enough to endure the considerable strains imposed, particularly in ocean sailing, they must be heavily built from carefully selected timber and well fitted and through bolted to the gaff. A well made set, I believe, should last a long time and are, of course, a joy to behold.
Poorly made gaff saddles should also be a source of problems, but here is the curios thing: I can think of nobody reporting problems with saddles yet one frequently hears of broken jaws. My conclusion is that it is easier to get metal saddles right than wooden jaws, metal saddles seem better suited to the job than bits of wood and if well made and well fitted seem pretty likely to last forever.
I have found saddles less likely squeak than jaws and tumblers but it is possible lubricate jaws with the sail set, with a saddle, the throat and therefore probably the peak must be lowered a little so one can goop up the mast in way of the saddle before re-hoisting. This might be a pain in a larger vessel, in a rough sea or when the topsail is set. Also the leatherwork seems to last longer on saddles as the distribution of chaff is better.
Another consideration is if you intend doing the work yourself. Wooden jaws are a suitable and highly satisfying DIY job for most of us but saddles are a rather more ambitious project that most would rather see done by a good fabricator - with attendant price tag.
For me the clincher is windage: saddles offer far less of it than jaws. Yes they may well be heavier but well made wooden jaws and tumbler are not going to be far behind.
Poorly made gaff saddles should also be a source of problems, but here is the curios thing: I can think of nobody reporting problems with saddles yet one frequently hears of broken jaws. My conclusion is that it is easier to get metal saddles right than wooden jaws, metal saddles seem better suited to the job than bits of wood and if well made and well fitted seem pretty likely to last forever.
I have found saddles less likely squeak than jaws and tumblers but it is possible lubricate jaws with the sail set, with a saddle, the throat and therefore probably the peak must be lowered a little so one can goop up the mast in way of the saddle before re-hoisting. This might be a pain in a larger vessel, in a rough sea or when the topsail is set. Also the leatherwork seems to last longer on saddles as the distribution of chaff is better.
Another consideration is if you intend doing the work yourself. Wooden jaws are a suitable and highly satisfying DIY job for most of us but saddles are a rather more ambitious project that most would rather see done by a good fabricator - with attendant price tag.
For me the clincher is windage: saddles offer far less of it than jaws. Yes they may well be heavier but well made wooden jaws and tumbler are not going to be far behind.