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Macblaze · 09-03-2015, 19:53

I'm just starting to wrap my mind around sailing a ketch and then along comes this.

1975 Islander Freeport

The description says "Center cockpit, ketch rigged with a club footed jib and roller furling genoa gives all weather sailing flexibility." So is the jib like a staysail? Or do you sail it like a cutter? Or is the question so dumb because I have a lot more to learn...

btrayfors · 09-03-2015, 20:10

One of the nice things about a ketch is that you can have multiple sail plans, according to the conditions.

The boat you're looking at has a staysail on a boom....so-called "self tending". This means you don't have to do anything to the staysail sheet when you tack. You only have to worry about the genoa sheet.

Bill

**Ex-Calif** · 09-03-2015, 20:12

A club footed jib has a boom. It obviously does not extend past the mast. You can single sheet the sail (like the mainsail). That one looks to be in a bag but there are setups that can be furled.

It also can be considered "self tending" upwind. With the sail trimmed on one tack you come about and the sail "automatically" is trimmed for the opposite track.

This boat seems to have a lot of sail plan options. Including flying both headsails if the need arises.

Stu Jackson · 09-03-2015, 20:29

Islander Bahama 41? Great boats, wonderful interiors.

jkindredpdx · 10-03-2015, 07:34

Looks like a sweet boat!

moseriw · 10-03-2015, 08:05

Hmm yes but the source question is not really answered.
so:
First sail is a jib, genoa, or yankee
Second is the staysail (selftailing)
Third mainsail
fourth you can set a sail between main mast and mizzen fisherman or mizzen staysail**
fifth mizzen.

Yankee

mention that the foot is going up a lot!

You can fly the Yankee with the Staysail but you should not use a Genoa or another Big sail like a Code Zero with the staysail as they will calm themselfes.

Test your boat on the tack, maybe the staysail without genoa gives you more height than the genoa. And be aware that these wonderful bluewater cruisers ar built for monsoon and passat winds and are not really good on the tack.

You wanted a secure stron ship? You got it but it never will be a racer - especially on the tack.

You should test if Genoa and mizzen alone is best for your boat on the tack. If it is genoa or staysail+yankee and mainsail then I am sure that your mizzen will be becalmed by the mainsail.

On the other hand the mizzen is the very best option to trim the boat.
I was told that one trimmed it to steer the same course for 3/4 of an hour.

Please respond if this is what you wanted to know.

**mizzen staysail

Macblaze · 10-03-2015, 08:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by moseriw

Hmm yes but the source question is not really answered.
so:
First sail is a jib, genoa, or yankee
Second is the staysail (selftailing)
Third mainsail
fourth you can set a sail between main mast and mizzen fisherman or mizzen staysail**
fifth mizzen.
Yankee

mention that the foot is going up a lot!

You can fly the Yankee with the Staysail but you should not use a Genoa or another Big sail like a Code Zero with the staysail as they will calm themselfes.

Test your boat on the tack, maybe the staysail without genoa gives you more height than the genoa. And be aware that these wonderful bluewater cruisers ar built for monsoon and passat winds and are not really good on the tack.

You wanted a secure stron ship? You got it but it never will be a racer - especially on the tack.

You should test if Genoa and mizzen alone is best for your boat on the tack. If it is genoa or staysail+yankee and mainsail then I am sure that your mizzen will be becalmed by the mainsail.

On the other hand the mizzen is the very best option to trim the boat.
I was told that one trimmed it to steer the same course for 3/4 of an hour.

Please respond if this is what you wanted to know.

Not my boat. A lot of the boats in my "list" seem to be ketchs and I have been reading a bit about sailing one and then along comes this dual foresail beauty. Thanks for the explanation.

Suijin · 10-03-2015, 08:54

Just to be clear, "club footed" is not exclusive to a staysail. There are plenty of sloops out there with a single club footed jibs. The club foot just refers to it being on a boom.

Personally I find club footed jibs to be a PITA as it seems like the boom is always in the way and cluttering up the foredeck. In some situations they are downright dangerous. You can do away with it and still have the jib be self-tending but it requires some careful modifications.

Cheechako · 10-03-2015, 09:14

So here's a question... when the Staysail tack is located at the bow...in lieu of a few feet aft of the bow.. is it a staysail or a jib?

ctl411 · 10-03-2015, 09:34

You can use a Genoa or spinnaker with a staysail. Its effectiveness will be boat and heading dependent.
Cheechako, if there is a stay in front of it, yes it would by a staysail.
Mac, check out the "ketch sailing for beginners" thread. I think that was the title????

kjdavie01 · 10-03-2015, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheechako

So here's a question... when the Staysail tack is located at the bow...in lieu of a few feet aft of the bow.. is it a staysail or a jib?

Regardless of where the staysail is attached, it's still a staysail, and the jib would be forward of it.
BTW, a "Yankee" is simply a jib that has a very high-cut foot (and so a shorter leech). This gives more room on deck below it (to work, or for the staysail), and improves visibility forward.

Steve1944 · 10-03-2015, 10:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macblaze

I'm just starting to wrap my mind around sailing a ketch and then along comes this.

1975 Islander Freeport

The description says "Center cockpit, ketch rigged with a club footed jib and roller furling genoa gives all weather sailing flexibility." So is the jib like a staysail? Or do you sail it like a cutter? Or is the question so dumb because I have a lot more to learn...

Any sail forward of the fore mast is called a head sail, or head sails. The jib on a sailboat steadies the boat from yawl. When flown properly, as many as three head sails will drive the boat while they steady her.

A club footed jib is a head sail on its own stay or 'mast' as a jib it steadies the boat from her yawl.

Learn about sails, while it's a gaff rig book, Cunliffe's book "Hand, Reef and Steer" will 'learn' ya what's behind all the break and purchase you need to know.

Steve1944 · 10-03-2015, 10:37

You have to be an exceptional bartender to properly own a Ketch

Steve1944 · 10-03-2015, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suijin

Just to be clear, "club footed" is not exclusive to a staysail. There are plenty of sloops out there with a single club footed jibs. The club foot just refers to it being on a boom.

Personally I find club footed jibs to be a PITA as it seems like the boom is always in the way and cluttering up the foredeck. In some situations they are downright dangerous. You can do away with it and still have the jib be self-tending but it requires some careful modifications.

Heh, heh. That's funny.