Marlow-Hunter Rigging.

[colemj]

I'm always surprised at the controversy around B&R rigs. Highly-fractional, diamond-supported, swept-spreader, no-backstay rigs are the standard on catamarans - and there is no controversy there.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

I'm always surprised at the controversy around B&R rigs. Highly-fractional, diamond-supported, swept-spreader, no-backstay rigs are the standard on catamarans - and there is no controversy there.

Mark

But...not the big radically back swept spreaders...most cats have no spreaders at all on the side stays at all.

The B&R rig obviously works, no higher failure rates than other designs that I've ever heard of, but those big back swept spreaders on a cruising boat dont make sense to me. On a high performance boat, for which they were originally designed, they make sense because the apparent wind is almost never aft of beam and it allows you to carry a big roachy main. On a cruising boat, all they do is get in the way off the wind (and not very deep off at that).

I think the primary reason Hunter went with them was to eliminate the backstay and thus open up transom access for swimming etc. So, eliminating that advantage by adding a backstay, makes no sense to me especially since it is not structurally necessary.

[Sailor Doug]

Fractional rig is my love. B&R delivers this with on runners.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[colemj]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

But...not the big radically back swept spreaders...most cats have no spreaders at all on the side stays at all.

Ours spreaders are large and swept quite far back. Most others I see are also.

Maybe it is a difference in degree, and I haven't paid enough attention to the B&R in comparison.

Mark

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by colemj

Ours spreaders are large and swept quite far back. Most others I see are also.

Maybe it is a difference in degree, and I haven't paid enough attention to the B&R in comparison.

Mark

Interesting, didn't recall that about the Manta rig. Will have to look at one again (the Catana too, are those on the side stays or on a lower diamond stay?). But, IIRC, the B&Rs tend to be longer and swept further aft and so interfere with main trim off the wind.

I have none on my side stays, no need with a wide beam. The lower spreaders you see in this pic are on are on a lower diamond stay.