That really is not an issue with a fractionally rigged boat with a smaller, less overlapping sail. Recognise if you are thinking of an old IOR type masthead rig with a huge genoa that regularly needs deep reefing, although again many of boats with that original rig go better in cruising with a smaller genoa of say 120% rather than the original 140 or 150.
Very much your last para. They are an individual taste, like an old British sports car. Neitherfast nor comfortable, but nonetheless stylish seaworthy, and pleasantly retro. Buy it for any other reason and disappointment may await.
My last two boats were cutter rigged. The foresails had high clews and both kept a good shape when part rolled in a blow as the sail is evenly distributed on the roller. Much better than the common genoa shape with most of the area wrapped around the bottom. Also, the headsails were only around 100% so tacking was not a great problem, though much depends on the distance between forestays. On one boat the staysail was self tacking, so only headsail sheets to work. I frequently sailed single handed, but was rarely in a short tacking situation for more than an hour or so. That said, the second, bigger, boat came with dirty fuel tanks so we got used to clogged filters and entering harbour/marina/anchorage under sail at the end of lively passages. (eventually I bit the bullet and opened up the tank to physically clean it). Of course with a cutter if short tacking you can use just the headsail, or in fresh conditions just the staysail with reefed main.
Nic 32 at a guess.
Philistines! It is, of course, the icon of sailing perfection - a Contessa 32!
I have a Vic 800 cutter rigged with a self tacking staysail, and even short tacking up the Medway it's never a problem single handed. I furl the jib , centre the mainsheet and tack away. No sheets to tend to. Even with full rig the jib usually clears the inner forestay.
So are you saying that you do not use the jib?
Correct. The only time not using the jib can be an issue is with strong headwinds as the boat can get caught in irons as I'm unable to back the staysail. With a crew it's easy to get someone forward to hold it back. In time I learned to sail through the tacks with staysail alone, but you need to anticipate getting stuck and allow for an escape. In light winds never a problem.
But that is a heck of a lot of hassle compared to a standard sloop rig, particularly a fractional rigged one with a moderate overlap jib.
In which case why don't all modern boats have a rotating mast wing sail? They are so much more efficient than sloop rigs, ancient or modern.
If tacking up narrow muddy creeks is your thing, then obviously, you will want and hopefully have a hull form and rig that facilitates such activities. When boats were individually built to order, after detailed discussion with the client, there was a wide variety of hull shapes and rigs around the UK coast, each developed to suit local conditions and needs. It is only with the advent of GRP and factory production that the "one design of boat/rig must suit all" and "modern designs are best" mindset has developed.
