Advice on Yawl

[Jacothebrave]

Would apreciate some advantages and disadvanteges on a yawl.
1978 Design: Flamingo Designer : van De Stadt

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Jaco,
I sailed aboard an Offshore 41 yawl in the 80s and a Luders 44 in the 70s and found them to be very good sailers. The mizzen was very helpful on the 44 for maneuvering since it didn't have an engine. There is more rigging to contend with but it allows you to not only fly the mizzen but also a mizzen staysail. Their performance to windward, in my opinion, is every bit as good as a sloop.
Their disadvantages: More rigging. Rigging that takes up aft deck space that could be used for fishing poles, radar masts, etc..
Hope that helps.
Kind Regards,
JohnL

[Celestialsailor]

I agree with John...The rigging takes up a lot of room for any affect a yawl gives. If you're going to have the extra rigging, a Ketch might prove to be more efficient. I had a Tartan Blackwatch Yawl and now a Ingrid Ketch.
One thing not mentioned is that there was nothing sexier than a Yawl slipping into the anchorage ghosting along in 5 knots of wind with everything up including the mizzen staysail.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

... Their disadvantages ... takes up aft deck space that could be used for fishing poles, radar masts, etc..

I always thought a mizzen was a radar mast.

[imagine2frolic]

For drying clothing??????

[Jacothebrave]

Thanks, so looks like not to much of difrence between ketch Yawl rigging regarding space taken away if I understand correctly, looking at 37 ft ketch / 42 feet Yawl dificult to come to a decition

[Celestialsailor]

Although I have owned both a Ketch and Yawl. I would prefer a cutter over either. Less clutter getting in and out of the vessel with a dodger around the Mizzen shroads and epecially when the yard hands you the bill for replacing the rigging. The difference is substancial.

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Jacothebrave

Would apreciate some advantages and disadvanteges on a yawl.
1978 Design: Flamingo Designer : van De Stadt

Are you asking about this particular boat or are you asking about advantages of a yawl?

If it's the latter, I think you asked that question already.

One thing I noticed was missing from the answers is how the mizzen is often used as a riding sail while at anchor. You can rig one using the backstay on a sloop but it takes more work.

I still believe the ketch is superior to the yawl for the reasons I stated in the linked post.

[Santana]

I always thought a mizzen was a radar mast.

On our boat besides holding up the sail, our mizzen mast holds up the radar, SSB and VHF antennas. outrigger clips for trolling, and most important, we have our KISS windgen on top of the mizzen mast, where it is out of the way and has free rotation. Been a couple of birds that didn't like the location though, made one hell of a mess....

[Steve Rust]

I think the definition of a ketch or yawl is the the yawl has the mizzen stepped aft of the rudder post and the ketch forward. I remember reading a quote from one of Don Street's books about something one of his friends said about his beloved yawl Iolaire, "give me an axe and I will improve the looks of any yawl".

[Holding Pattern]

I would not trade a ketch...(yawl included for apples & oranges sake)
the mizzen is a fantastic stabilizer...
to repeat Gord... the mizzen is a radar mount, wind gen mount, etc.

the yard handing a bill for replacing rigging? I will replace it myself, thank you and save thousands.

We have a staysail ketch, so we have the dual headsail advantage, we can fly any or all of 5 sails and I think we beat to weather wonderfully

using the mizzen, multi-reefed as a riding sail keeps us steady while many others are dancing, searching, horsing, sliding around in switchy winds.

I am sure I'll think of other benefits once I hit 'post'

[Benny]

Jacothebrave - which 37 foot ketch are you interested in? I have an Irwin 37 and I can give you info if it's this make you are looking at buying. BTW I would also take a ketch over a sloop having owned both for the same reasons mentioned here

Good luck with your decision.

[Jacothebrave]

It's a Endurance 37 1987 cruising keel

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Santana

... we have our KISS windgen on top of the mizzen mast, where it is out of the way and has free rotation. Been a couple of birds that didn't like the location though, made one hell of a mess....

Did the bird strikes damage your windgen? I liked the idea of placing it on top but that does make me pause.

[Santana]

Maren
I think it was about the 3rd bird that finally broke a blade. Have put the little whistles that they use to scare deer with that you put on cars and trucks. Weight is negligible, just make sure they weigh the same, made of plastic so you can trim them down weight wise, and put them in exactly the same place for balance...