For many years I have been fasinated by the oceanic lateen or crab
claw. Marchaj wrote about it being superior in many ways.
I have built a couple of them and I think one of the main reasons they
work so well is because of a greater percentage of sail area up high.
They are very very simple to make (no
sailmaker required) and very
cheap to make. They are cut flat.
I saw one recently on a 50 ft
Wharram cat, they used bamboo poles as the spars/booms.
advantages are that they don't flog, and they are very easy to control.
They are difficult to tack, so I intend to have two, one for each side.
And they are best suited to a reach or downwind.
Also they are one of the most beautiful
sails to look at.(mine will be a dark red)
As most of you know by now I am building a powered
trimaran with sail assist. The oceanic lateen will be my sail assist.
Any comments, any experience with these
sails.
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