whats in a rig Articles

What’s in a Rig? Today we begin our new series about sailboat rigs with the one that many of us sail – the Sloop Rig.

Although wingsails have risen to the limelight with the America’s Cup now employing the technology across the board, they are in no way a brand new concept.

By definition, a schooner is a sailboat with at least two masts, with the forward mast (foremast) being a bit shorter than the main mast.

A cat rig sailboat has a single mast situated well forward, near the bow, which carries a large single sail and has no standing rigging.

A gaff rig employs a spar on the top of the sail and typically other sails can be set in conjunction with that mainsail with the gaff.

Like, the ketch a yawl is equipped with two masts, a main and a mizzen, but ordinarily on a yawl, the mast is smaller and set behind the rudder post. This, therefore, beckons the question: is this an efficient and practical rig?

Ketch rigs hold a special place in many a cruising sailor’s heart. They are two masted rigs with a main mast and a (smaller) mizzenmast – they carry a jib just like a sloop.

What’s in a Rig Series #3 There’s probably no rig more fascinating than the junk rig. Long before Columbus’ time, early as the 10th century, the Chinese were making their way through the oceans with a rig that has amazingly stood the test of the time. There are many who feel that this very old but very innovative sail plan

What’s in a Rig Series #2 A variation on the last installment of What’s in a Rig (the sloop) is the Cutter Rig. Although it has gone through some changes through the course of history, the modern cutter rig is generally a set-up with two headsails. The forward sail is called the yankee and the one slightly behind it is