Junk rig performance on the RTI

[chrisedwards]

You are absolutely right -

"most of the things you descibe being able to do can be done easily on most cruising boats - but probably not under sail" " vast majority happy to stow sails and undertake close quarters work under motor"

Great - read previous posts - we all play different games - I like to sail and not use motor - thats all. - Andd this is where the junk rig is superior - am I not allowed to have this view?

Much as I admire your spirited advocacy of the rig on your boat, it does not seem that its advantages as you describe them appeal to many other people - at least to the extent of of owning a boat with that rig. All the things you describe being able to do can be done easily on most cruising sailing boats - but probably not under sail. That is what you have an auxiliary engine for. While it might give you a good feeling to be able to do these things under sail, the vast majority of people are quite happy to stow their sails and undertake close quarters work with a motor. Cannot understand why you think your way is inherently superior to another. It is a question of making the best use of the resources at your disposal.

The chance of alternative rigs, that do not provide significant advantages from the point of view of the average user, gaining any ground is minimal. The vast majority of people buy existing boats and few are fitted with junk rig. The cost of conversion is disproportionate to the value of the boat, so few will do that. New boat buyers can choose rigs that are either easy to handle (in mast or in boom reefing for example) or performance orientated and in the last 20 years no new rigs have made any significant progress in the market place. Everything is about developing a basic form that satisfies most needs.

So, think your type of rig will forever stay on the margins of mainstream yachting. Appreciated by a small number of people but of limited attraction to the majority.

 

[Tranona]

You are absolutely right -


Great - read previous posts - we all play different games - I like to sail and not use motor - thats all. - Andd this is where the junk rig is superior - am I not allowed to have this view?

Yes, of course you are - however you always come across in a way that suggests only you know about it. Not sure what you see as valuable is appreciated by others, otherwise there would be far more junk rigged boats around.

Just pointing out that there is more to choosing a boat than one particular aspect and folks seem to get along just fine with Marconi rigs.

 

[lw395]

If sailing when other boats need to use a motor is the only thing that matters, a big racing rig with a damn great kite is often the answer.
Sal downwind when others are motoring.
But whatever suits you.
Trying to inflict our taste on other people is a mug's game though.

The RTIR is a great source of stats, but I suspect it could support any argument, as two competently sailed boats of the same OD class often finish an hour or so apart.
This year was a quick race I think, with not much beating?

 

[Daydream believer]

The op suggests that a junk rig is superior in close situations
I wonder how an equivalent hull size junk rigged boat would compare with a thames barge
I am sure in their heyday thames barges were manoeuvred in all sorts of spaces without engines
The crew is said to be a man & a boy
So would the same sized hull with junk rig have needed only a man & boy
Would they have done so well with haystacks on deck?
I do not know the answer but only ask the question
I am not an advocate of either rig but i think i would prefer the gaffer in this situation
Oh & i sail a bermudian rig much bigger than a Hurley single handed with no problem
In fact to carry as much sail on an unstayed rig would need very heavy mast & possibly two
Not so easy then & not so stiff with all that weight aloft i suspect