I need advice for a first purchase

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Teadaemon,
I don't disagree with you at all. It is a sailors preference and each rig has an advantage. I've sailed on all except a squarerigged ship and have chosen a cutter for simplicity and performance. If I were to choose another divided plan it would be a bermudan yawl because to me performance to windward matters. If windward performance doesn't matter to you as much then a ketch or schooner is a good choice.
I, again, will say that the excerpts in rating efficiency are stating overall efficiency, not just windward efficiency which is what I'm after.
Regards, JohnL

[camaraderie]

Originally Posted by MrShankmmz

First, has anyone ever heard of or seen a double ended cutter rig catch?

If anyone is still interested in the original question....
Apparently Robert Perry designed a 53 footer for Valiant in 2006 that is all of the above. It is not on the Valiant website but if something like that is within your budget...my guess is they would send you some data on request.

[SkiprJohn]

Hans Christian 38 comes in double ended ketch and cutter configuration. Check the Hans Christian Owners website for specifics. Very nice traditional looking craft.
JohnL

[Sailormann]

serious problem when we're basically talking about a few degrees

If you are going to do any cruising, don't dismiss a few degrees as unimportant. If you plot your course on paper - first with your imaginary cutter sailing about 48 degrees off the wind, and then with a schooner at about 55 degrees off the wind, and then you measure how many miles you had to sail on each course to get to the same point, you're going to find the difference is considerably more than would at first be imagined...

[SkiprJohn]

Thank you Sailorman.
JohnL