Slutter Rig ?

[Badger]

This is an alternative option to the cutter rig on a Rustler 44 apparently. Anyone know what it is ?

 

[Keen_Ed]

http://www.sunstonesailing.com/tips/tipsa.html

Slutter versus Rig

For single masted cruisers, the choice seems increasingly to be between the standard cutter rig and what might be called a 'slutter' rig. The difference between the two lies mostly in the placement of the inner forestay.

Cutters usually have an inner forestay which runs from the upper of two sets of spreaders down to a point about one third of the way aft in the fore-triangle. The staysail set on such a stay is pretty small. It is efficient when used in combination with the larger foresail on the headstay, but is not really much use by itself except in heavy weather. Unfortunately it is also often sheeted quite close inboard, which is not useful for heavy conditions. This cutter rig usually also carries running backstays which are set up to support the rig in strong winds. The alternative is a set of jumper stays; these may foul and chafe the foresail set on the headstay. It is usually possible to tack the foresail around the inner forestay.

The 'slutter' rig differs from the cutter in that the inner forestay, sometimes called a Solent stay, runs from very near the top of the mast down to a point only half a metre or so behind the headstay. The advantages of this arrangement are that a larger, more powerful staysail can be carried on the inner forestay and there is no need for runners to support the mast. Disadvantages of the rig are that the use of both headsails together is not very efficient and the foresail on the head stay cannot usually be tacked past the inner forestay. However, the staysail is big enough that it is likely to be used by itself in almost any short -tacking situation. The staysail is also efficient used by itself in moderate as well as heavy conditions.

In both rigs, the staysail can either be set on a roller-furler or with hanks on the stay. The advantage of the latter arrangement is that it allows a change to a storm jib when necessary. It is useful on the slutter rig to be able to detach the inner forestay so that the foresail on the headstay can be easily tacked in lighter, flukier conditions. Both rigs are often well enough balanced to allow the use of the staysail alone in heavier winds.

On 'Sunstone' we use a slutter rig with the staysail permanently hanked to the inner forestay. We have been extremely happy with the rig and prefer it to the cutter.

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

This is an alternative option to the cutter rig on a Rustler 44 apparently. Anyone know what it is ?

I have a Rustler 44 and can add very little to Keened's description. We do all windward work with the inner headsail and have a lighter cloth on the larger sail which we use mainly for reaching and downwind.

The 44 of course is available with either cutter or slutter rig. I fell in love with the slutter when sailing a Discovery 55 and have not regretted the decision, but it is not what everyone wants.

 

[TiggerToo]

I have a Rustler 44 ....

lucky you!