Heavy Weather Strategy for a Ketch

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by bob perry

There are a lot of boats out there that have my name pinned on them but they are not my designs.

That could go either way, I suppose, but usually, only the one way...

[Black Wind]

Hi - Is there a thread out there to continue this subject of sailing the ketch rig in heavy weather as this one has become a bit of a legal/copyright discussion? I would like to get more input on the differences between approaches with what is possibly different types of ketch.

James

[estarzinger]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Once again, Mr. Starzinger should call a lawyer.

For us, lawyers are a very last resort. We prefer to settle things directly if at all possible.

We have found no way to contact the owners of the site, but have contacted the site host and asked them to remove the offending page. They have gotten back to us and said they are looking into it. We will see what happens.

Originally Posted by Black Wind

I would like to get more input on the differences between approaches with what is possibly different types of ketch.

Sorry, the drift is my fault I guess. But back to the topic . . . when the wind comes up, you have a choice between starting to sail like a sloop - just drop the mizzen and forget about it and reduce sail and heave to like a sloop/cutter would OR you can sail like a ketch and drop the main and sail with mizzen and headsails until you want to heave-to which you probably do mizzen alone (if it is big enough for the wind speed).

We noticed a surprising number of ketches which were sailed like sloops/cutters. In fact we know a few that don't even have a sail on the mizzen boom. It is just used as a big pole to hang the radar and a wing gen on.

But when we had our ketch we really liked to use the mizzen. We could get rid of the main early - and get it all flaked and sail tied neatly when the conditions on deck were not so bad. Then we had the mizzen in the cockpit and could easily and safely deal with it.

[marc2012]

I usually sail with jib & mizzen.Even if hove to drifts less than this thread.marc

[witchcraft]

On our boat what works best is this...the first sail to go is the mizzen ( a largish one) then the jib, then a reefed main and staysail. We start bringing everything into the centre.
In non heavy weather for manuvering under sail alone the mizzen and stay will put the boat anywhere we want. they go up first. Sorry I just drifted there too.
Fair Winds

[zeehag]

i was advised formosas maintain a about 4 kts under jib and mizzen. not bad for a full keel heavy cruiser. seems if we can maintain 4 kts, then a pearson should be able to maintain at least that and perhaps more. should be fun to practice.. have fun mike and smooth sailing!!!!!

[lakedipper]

Originally Posted by estarzinger

That's quite annoying . . . that's an article we wrote that those guys have stolen and even removed our names from, although they left our boat name in it.

That link is now dead, Do you have a link to your original article?

[autumnbreeze27]

Glad they took their whole website down, but let's keep this thread on track, start your own thread about the stolen article, don't hijack this thread.

We've learned recently that the mizzen can be a problem when the wind is behind the mast. Especially if there's a big swell running, the boat will yaw and then the wind will catch the mizzen and make it worse.