Topsails

[AndrewF]

I have 2 topsails for my gaff rigged leigh cockler. 1 is small and not problem, the other is quite a bit larger and needs spars to set. The question is where do other people stow their spars for the topsail when not in use. Also do they stow the spars with the topsail secured.
Trying to find a decent spot before i make the spars and clutter up the cabin with yet more gear.

 

[Kukri]

How do you reef?

If you use points and have twin topping lifts the received wisdom is to fit lazyjacks and drop the topsail on its spars into the lazyjacks.

This is really easy.

If on the other hand like me you use roller reefing things are rather more awkward and the common solution (nowhere near as good) is to roll the topsail round its spars and stuff the lot into a sausage shaped sailbag that you stow up a shroud.

This is frankly a bore, but I have put up with it for a long time.

 

[oldfrank]

I've seen people on the Broads spend more than half an hour rigging a topsail for a forty minute race. If they're not rigged (or set) properly the damn things actually make the boat go slower - they require a degree of expertise often seems lacking. In my thoroughly biased opinion, topsails are the single most compelling argument in favour of bermudan rig.

Those who persist with these aberrations often stow them in a bag and hang them off the whisker shrouds - where at least they're out of the way.

Don't underestimate the relatively newly developed integral topsails. The gaff virtually becomes a top batten and all sails go up at once ... and the topsail is always up. When there's too much wind, a slab is taken into the main (centre of effort remains constant). These sails are really working well and have proved both remarkably 'family friendly' and faster. Mike Mcnamara and Chris Jeckells have produced numbers of them. Probably the only development of gaff rig in the last century.

 

[Seagreen]

Depends on the length of the spars. If short enough, stow on the coachroof. Next best bet is to rig rope grommets round the boom and stow them alongside the boom. Third option is to make a ring out of brass bar and lash it up a shroud. Not elegant. Option 4 is a combination of stowing the shorter jenny yard on the coachroof and stowing the long spar up the rigging.

However, you can also stow it up the front of the mast, unless you already have a spinny pole there...