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blgklr · 30-01-2011, 12:20

The poster has a very nice boat masthead rig so the the 100% jib is bigger than the main. Seems like from his origanal post that he does not want a larger headsail than the jib he has now. So a new exotic material main with more roach and battens is probably his easiest route to more power. He could add a longer boom but not worth the expense in my opinion. Yes a dacron sail will last longer than the exotic but the more powerful sail for the same area will be the exotic. I would be more than happy with cruising his boat just the way it is. If light air performance is really critical he should buy a boat that is a performance design.

Weyalan · 30-01-2011, 12:37

Any signigicant modification to the as-designed / as built mast and associated rigging (and sail) configuaration is, in my opinion, a colossal money sink for very little gain. Sit yourself down and work out the real costs of such an exercise.

bob perry · 30-01-2011, 12:41

You could do it but it does need some scrutiny. If your boat is well balanced and having sailed one I recall it is then it's not going to hurt. But it's going to cost you a lot for minimal gains. But hell, I love experiments with other people's money.

Can you post an accurate sail plan of what you have now?

Charlie · 30-01-2011, 13:21

Hi Bob:

Here is a link to a review that you (I think) did on Sceptre's a few years ago http://www.sceptremarine.com/s41perryreview.pdf and here is a link to a sail plan. I have to be honest I don't know that I could afford a big change to the mast right now but when it comes time to buy a new main in 3 or 4 years that would be the time for me to do it. Here is a link to the Sailplan Picasa Web Albums - Charlie McKenzie - Drop Box

bob perry · 30-01-2011, 13:36

Charlie:
Looking at the location of that mast I dont think a frac rig conversion would work well for you.

Charlie · 30-01-2011, 17:16

Thanks Bob. With the cutter rig I was wondering about that. It sails well and with a bigger jib works fine in light air. I guess I'll have to wait till I make a million and have you design a boat just like what I want LOL

Bash · 30-01-2011, 17:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

IMHO the best rig for normal sailing conditions is a fractional rig with a self tacking jib plus a light-air sail on a furler in front of the jib. You see this rig on the new Tartans, on the Seawind cats and in quite a few other places.

I'm looking out the hatch at a new Tartan 4300 right now, and it has a masthead rig.

bob perry · 30-01-2011, 17:25

hatch/ rig so what?

Bash · 30-01-2011, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob perry

hatch/ rig so what?

You would love the view out my hatch right now, Bob. At the moment I'm looking at a LaFitte 66.

Not many of those around.

bob perry · 30-01-2011, 18:13

Bash:
I get pics from all over the world from L44 owners who love their boats.
Here is one from Scotland.

They appear to be having fun.

Curmudgeon · 30-01-2011, 19:31

Yes, I stand corrected the Tartan 3700 and 4300 have masthead rigs. But the jib is self tacking, yes?

Bash · 30-01-2011, 19:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob perry

Bash:
I get pics from all over the world from L44 owners who love their boats.
Here is one from Scotland.

They appear to be having fun.

They certainly do. The LaFitte 44 is a great boat. So is the LaFitte 66 across the fairway from me, as I write this. Lovely boats; masthead rigs. The 66, as I understand it, is somewhat rare.

My original comment was that some new Tartans have masthead rigs. I was correcting a bit of misinformation--nothing more. I spent some time in July cruising a newer Tartan with a masthead rig up in the San Juans, and had a great deal of fun on the boat. It's on my radar this days. Many new Tartans have masthead rigs.

Bash · 30-01-2011, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Yes, I stand corrected the Tartan 3700 and 4300 have masthead rigs. But the jib is self tacking, yes?

I imagine that's an option? I spent some time on a friend's new Tartan up in the San Juans last summer, and it had a masthead solent rig, which means one jib was self-tacking, and the other wasn't.

The new Tartan 5300 is masthead-rigged as well.

Curmudgeon · 30-01-2011, 19:53

Right, but the "solent rig" usually has some sort of light air sail on the forward roller: reacher, screacher whatever you want to call it. I suppose it's technically a "jib" but its a big jib.

Bash · 30-01-2011, 19:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Right, but the "solent rig" usually has some sort of light air sail on the forward roller: reacher, screacher whatever you want to call it. I suppose it's technically a "jib" but its a big jib.

That's correct. If memory serves, this boat had a 130% genoa.