Sailing a ketch

oldvarnish said:
One of the joys of a two masted boat - which I miss - is the ability to use the mizzen to swing the stern of the boat exactly where you want it.
For example, if backing out of a marina berth with a strong wind on the beam, there's a danger of the bow blowing off away from the direction you wish to go. Hoist the mizzen and pull it to weather and the stern will always fall away first.
Also, if you happen to have a yawl rather than a ketch, you can make it sail backwards - which is not often useful but doesn't half attract attention.
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+1 I love the versatility of the ketch, which more than compensates (me at least) for the loss of upwind performance. The mizzen has so many more uses than simply driving the boat. As well as the uses you mention, which I use regularly, I find I can balance the steering so precisely that the autopilot rarely emerges from its nest.

But for anyone new to a ketch - don't forget to ease the mizzen sheet as you bear away. It will do its best to prevent that manoeuvre if it can! (It knows its duty)
 
Tim O said:
Can anyone point me to any good books, or online resources, about the basics and finer details of actually SAILING a ketch......different sail configurations etc under different conditions. I have usual main, mizzen, Genoa, plus mizzen staysail, and trisail to play with......all new to me as a sloop sailor up to now.

This post is guaranteed free from anchors, electronics, sealants and battery charging.......it's about sailing! ??
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Hi,
I posted a short blog entry about our experience with the ketch rig here. https://aleriasadventures.blogspot.ie/2015/08/the-versatile-ketch-rig.html#more
Feel free to post questions.
 
geem said:
Our mizzen staysail is hoisted on the mizzen mast with an attachment at the base of the main mast to secure the tack. Sheet to toerail block and back to winch in cockpit or in our case use the mizzen boom with a block back to cockpit winch.
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Ours tacked to the chainplate for the aft lowers on the windward side and sheeted to a block on the end of the mizzen boom. It pulled like a train and we flew it when the apparent wind angle was between 60 and 150 degrees off the bow. Tensioning the luff makes a big difference as the apparent wind comes forward. I've never seen a tread with so many mizzen staysails mentioned - actually seeing one flying is quite rarity but we used our a lot. It even features in the pic on my avatar!
 
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