Ketch v Sloop

[hectou]

I have a ketch but I don't see the point of the extra mast and sail. Its useless for beating ,its useless for running,gives weather helm if not carefully trimmed and makes fitting a bimini much more difficult, limits boarding from the stern,clutters up the cokpit....etc etc. I does give you something to stick the radar on and it looks pretty in photographs.Why have I got a ketch? The rest of the Seastream 43 is terrific!

 

[Allan]

I certainly won't be ignoring the comments on here. Why would I put a question on here then not read the answers?
Thank you all for the comments so far.
Allan

 

[l'escargot]

A sloop you can only sail as a sloop, but a ketch can be sailed as a ketch or a sloop.

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
I certainly won't be ignoring the comments on here. Why would I put a question on here then not read the answers?
Thank you all for the comments so far.
Allan

[/ QUOTE ]

OK, not ignore, just remember most of us have strong opinions & fixed viewpoints - which doesn't always equate to unbiased advice.
Enjoy your decision, whatever it is. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[narooma]

I sail a 46' ketch and most of the time run with genny and mizzen. With this set-up we can only get approx 37 deg off the wind (bit more on one tack and bit less on the other) Where I really loose out is boat speed in light air going to wind. To balance this, like a lot of ketch-rigged boats, we have a decent engine and plentiful fuel supply of fuel.
With light wind on the beam we add either the main or a mizzen staysail and have no problems. The mizzen is seldom taken in as it provides stability when motoring and balance for the genoa when sailing. Occasionally we use it when parked as well.

With winds from astern and we have lots of options depending on sea state and weather.

If I wanted a boat for day sailing this would not be it and similarly if I wanted to go round the world I would not choose it, but for sailing round UK and too and fro from the Med it is, for me, spot on.
Horses for courses.

 

[David_Jersey]

[ QUOTE ]


if I wanted to go round the world I would not choose it, but for sailing round UK and too and fro from the Med it is, for me, spot on.


[/ QUOTE ]

Can you clarify why you say that a Ketch is ok for sailing round the UK and down to the Med, but not going RTW?

 

[narooma]

Quote:
Can you clarify why you say that a Ketch is ok for sailing round the UK and down to the Med, but not going RTW?
.......................................................................................
Having spent the last ten minutes trying to justify to myself this comment I find that really I can't.
Thinking more carefully about the prospects of long distance ocean crossings I can see no justifiable reason why I would not undertake such a trip in a ketch as opposed to sloop. I think the reasoning behind the comment was based on the way I have operated our boat.
If the wind/sea/weather goes bad it is great to be able to put the engine on and know that you will be out of it in a couple of hours, or days at worst. (1000nm range on engine)
In reality it is not about distance but about sustainability. Coping with emergencies and spending longer at sea has nothing to do with the rig so I withdraw this comment (can’t edit it) with apologies for letting the (ketch supporters) side down.

 

[David_Jersey]

Fair enuf (don't get a lot of that on YBW! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif)

I wasn't going to go all "fundamentalist" on yer, just genuinely interested in the opinion / experiance of someone who clearly has a few more sea miles under their belt than yours truly.

Anyway, Happy New Year and Happy "Ketching" /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif in 2008!

 

[captainslarty]

OOOOOOOOOOO ! Gypsy /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
How dare you doubt the beloved Seastream /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif


I wouldnt be WITHOUT the Mizz on our Seastream,, running, foresails are better on most rigs, beating ? whats that ? lol..
I love it to bits, a great rig, great boat. get on a good reach and it really pays, balances beautifuly.. dump the main if it blows..

Lurrverrly..

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

(PS, GREAT Choice of boat.. you are obviously a people of excellent tastes )

Joe n Jayne