Proud owner of a new yacht need some help please

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I got given a yacht today yes given... brand new, freind of mine who I unfortunately havent seen in 6 years built it, hes in his 80's and has been a boat builder all his life. Well she is about 19ft and designed to be lightweight and fast. Based loosely around the old Juno 560. What I need to know is what sort of height mast would be appropriate? Thanks
 
Thats a pretty big question that depends on so many different factors.... such as how and where you want to sail her... what kind of sails you want to fit... whether you want to race... whether you are trailing her and thus need it easily self steppable... etc etc

Personally I'd start by approaching a rigger and asking for some advice, as there is unlikely to be a single correct or obvious answer

But if she's light and fast, then a good starting point would be to look at other boats that are designed to do the same... a Pogo for example... or less extreme, perhaps a Jeanneau 2000 or similar
 
If you want to keep her light and fast, I'd say to go with a fractional rig. It allows you a lot more freedom to adjust and tune the rig as your sailing. If you fancy keeping it to the original idea. Maybe look at an old mini tonner rig.

If you want to keep it cruisy then go for a mast head rig. You could probably get away with using a coachroof stepped mast like a hunter europa. On the plus side of using something like that, there will always be secondhand sails as they are very popular.
 
Well I will have her on a mooring as its easier really, she's got quite a large beam and doesnt draw a huge amount (will get exact details up in next few days) I will be sailing her accross the channel and around the coast. Not interested in racing or high speed, looking really to set her up for gentle sailing winds. Dont want to have to fight her. So a safe and allround sort of rig if there is such a thing :)
 
monkfish24 said:
If you want to keep her light and fast, I'd say to go with a fractional rig. It allows you a lot more freedom to adjust and tune the rig as your sailing. If you fancy keeping it to the original idea. Maybe look at an old mini tonner rig.

If you want to keep it cruisy then go for a mast head rig. You could probably get away with using a coachroof stepped mast like a hunter europa. On the plus side of using something like that, there will always be secondhand sails as they are very popular.
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Mast head rig seems ideal really, I believe she was designed to take coachroof stepped mast. Dont want to be spending a fortune, preffered just being crew on other yachts but who can say no to a brand new yacht for free :D
 
Foster's said:
Mast head rig seems ideal really, I believe she was designed to take coachroof stepped mast. Dont want to be spending a fortune, preffered just being crew on other yachts but who can say no to a brand new yacht for free :D
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If you do look at it, there was a good article in PBO about a chap doing up an old quarter tonner and he ended up using a rig from an etchells. He described how he used the mast from the different boat and how he got it to fit and work. I can try and dig out the issue number for you to get a back copy after the weekend, it was fairly recent.
 
Foster's said:
Doesnt happen often things like this! Was about time my luck changed though. All I have to do is fit her out with cushions, port holes, outboard, mast, sails, anchor and various bits and bobs :D
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That's about 50% of the cost of a new boat!

What does the builder/designer recommend? There ought to be fittings for the rig - or at least pre-prepared sections of hull to take tangs/ u-bolts or whatever for the stays & shrouds. Where is the foot of the mast designed to go? The hull fittings (or reinforced areas) will tell an experienced person the sort of rig it is meant to take. Typically a mast will be slightly longer than the boat, something like around 25' for a 19' boat.

If you want a real simple rig go for Junk, but it needs a keel stepped mast (supported by the cabin roof & without stays. Get a book on Yacht design from the library & do a LOT of reading - or get a professional to design the rig for you. This "free" boat could easily cost you thousands!

Alternatively, keep an eye on e-bay for a secondhand rig, or an old "project" boat that can be bought for a song & stripped for parts. A Wayfarer rig might be enough for a really l/w hull, but what ballast/ centreboard or keel does it have?

If you are in fairly sheltered waters, you can use a Scull or Yuloh (look it up) to move her around & save the cost of an outboard.
 
Thanks all for the info, I realise the cost though, I fell in love with this yacht 6 years ago, not much has been done to it since then. A lot of top knotch work has gone into her. The hull has been so well made if you looked at it or felt it you would think "Fibreglass Factory Job" but no its wood... not sure what finish is on it but honestly it looks amazing. I know the builder quite well but today was first time I have seen him in 6 years. I was unfortunately in a bit of a rush so was only there for an hour. Next time I go over I will take some pictures to give an idea of the quality of this yacht. I know she will be a money pit but personally I think she will be worth it. My aim is to have her finished in time for the summer but realise that may be a tall order... If I can afford it in the new year I may have new rigging made up for her instead of going secondhand, have everything made to fit and designed to be just right I hope! The moment I gulped a "Yes I will take her" I thought its going to cost me at least £4k to fit her out nicely if not more. But for a new yacht if shes cost me 4k to get her set up she will be worth that if not more in a years time. Im going to try with all my might to go slowly with this project but im sure you can all understand how exciting it is :o I think for the next few weeks if not months it will be organising rigging and the dull task of sanding lining everything up and everything else. It will be a hell of a task but definitely worth it. And who knows with a bit of luck I may be sailing my own vessel to cherbourg next year instead of crewing :p Well I best carry on with my shopping list on "Force4" :D
 
Also he did mention something about rigging but my memory seems to have deserted me recently (its been hectic!) Will find out all the details and then update this thread... I suppose I will have to think of a suitable name :D oooh the fun im going to have and the pain of not eating to pay for this :eek::D:D I think if done properly it doesnt have to cost a fortune to get good quality its just a lot of work. And all the fittings that can be made will be made by me.
 
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If you go for new rigging and sails, I suspect £4k is a little short of the mark!

But, as has been suggested above, careful shopping around for secondhand stuff, and a bit of ingenuity would IMHO see you rig her really nicely for that budget, and probably have a good bit left over.... you can often buy a wrecked small keelboat complete with rig and sails for next to nothing, and that would get you going pretty quickly...
 
Foster's said:
Also he did mention something about rigging but my memory seems to have deserted me recently (its been hectic!) Will find out all the details and then update this thread... I suppose I will have to think of a suitable name :D oooh the fun im going to have and the pain of not eating to pay for this :eek::D:D I think if done properly it doesnt have to cost a fortune to get good quality its just a lot of work. And all the fittings that can be made will be made by me.
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Howabout 'Freeloader' for the name? My first boat was a gift from a complete stranger. I spent £1k on her and had fantastic fun for 4 years before trading up.
 
That's really great! What a project!

You might consider using the ultra-modern Dyneema UHWMPE cordage for your rigging. The French Mini650 sailors, and others, are saving much of the weight and cost of s/s rigging and turnbuckles by using this superb stuff, and you could, too. The splicing is easy and although it'll take just a little research on 'how best', you won't go wrong on a 19' boat.

Here's a place to start

Do let us see some pics when you can.

:)
 
Sounds great. Did the builder use a set of drawings? And did they include a rig design? The positioning of the mast and areas of the sails must be right or you will have balance problems. Apart from needing a well suported part of the coach roof to step it.
Good luck and post a few pics for us.
 
Foster's said:
What I need to know is what sort of height mast would be appropriate?
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As has been suggested, a meter or so longer than the boat length, but that is just the start of the story.
Look into Sail Area / Displacement ratios, you will also need to decide on a boom length which may be an easier decision.
With a given boom length and main sail area, mast height will become an easier decision.
 
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