jleaworthy
Well-Known Member
Personally, I've never had any problem dropping the sail and I've no downhauls. As the sail comes down the sheetlets slacken, the sail pays off and spills any wind in it.
Junk rigs junk?
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Signed Out
Well-Known Member
Another thing that's had my brain ticking, is the question of whether they're better on one tack than the other, due to the mast ruining the aerodynamics of the sail when it's on the lee side of the sail.
Thanks for all your help, Jem.
Thanks for all your help, Jem.
jleaworthy
Well-Known Member
Some people say so. I've never noticed much difference.
knome
New Member
Hi folks. I'd highly recommend looking at the Yahoo group about Junk Rigs.. a lot of folks there who have a lot of experience.
The 'junk rigs don't go upwind' argument has been going on since before most of us were born, I am guessing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif From everything I have read, and my own experience, it has more to do with the rig being properly fit to the hull than the fact of having a junk rig ON a boat. Folks sailing in or near china have seen many old style Junks going like bats out of hell in a good puff, and doing it very upwind. There are special rig designs made up to 'compensate' for the problems that using a junk rig on a western hull create, but they end up costing as much or more than a Bermudan rig. Ultimately, it seems like Junk rigs have similar strengths and weaknesses as gaff rigs on western hulls.. that is to say, if you ain't racing around the buoys it don't make a difference.
Personally, I would much rather have "one hand" reefing on a 50 footer when a blow pipes up then get 5 or 10 more degrees upwind. I'd rather just bear off, slog it out and drink my hot cocoa.. or hot buttered rum. Maybe get out a pipe, light up and read a nice book. In the meantime, 5 other yachtsmen in the latest cruiser/racer are getting knocked around, wet and nauseous not 100 yards away.. heaven forbid they even think about doing anything but drink some coffee. Yep. They'll make port 3 hours ahead of me. Boy. Thats sure something. When I pull up I suppose they will already be in the bar telling tales about the horrible crossing, wringing out their hair and clothes. Since my crossing was so uneventful, and my kids are bored and ready for liberty, I guess I'll just let them be the heroes of the evening and check out the local zoo.
The 'junk rigs don't go upwind' argument has been going on since before most of us were born, I am guessing /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif From everything I have read, and my own experience, it has more to do with the rig being properly fit to the hull than the fact of having a junk rig ON a boat. Folks sailing in or near china have seen many old style Junks going like bats out of hell in a good puff, and doing it very upwind. There are special rig designs made up to 'compensate' for the problems that using a junk rig on a western hull create, but they end up costing as much or more than a Bermudan rig. Ultimately, it seems like Junk rigs have similar strengths and weaknesses as gaff rigs on western hulls.. that is to say, if you ain't racing around the buoys it don't make a difference.
Personally, I would much rather have "one hand" reefing on a 50 footer when a blow pipes up then get 5 or 10 more degrees upwind. I'd rather just bear off, slog it out and drink my hot cocoa.. or hot buttered rum. Maybe get out a pipe, light up and read a nice book. In the meantime, 5 other yachtsmen in the latest cruiser/racer are getting knocked around, wet and nauseous not 100 yards away.. heaven forbid they even think about doing anything but drink some coffee. Yep. They'll make port 3 hours ahead of me. Boy. Thats sure something. When I pull up I suppose they will already be in the bar telling tales about the horrible crossing, wringing out their hair and clothes. Since my crossing was so uneventful, and my kids are bored and ready for liberty, I guess I'll just let them be the heroes of the evening and check out the local zoo.
shamrock
Well-Known Member
Having recenty re-read Voyaging on a Small Income , Annie Hill's boat is a junk rig and they speak highly of it, plus a good discussion of the realtive merits of the rig.
