Ketch Rig . . . Why ?

[smallyachts]

In the event of a serious failure in the rig there are more pieces to come up with some type of jury rig.

Not to mention that if only 1 stick fails, you have a backup.

Easier to balance the rig in a wider range of conditions. If we don't want to get beat up on a gusty day we run on jib and mizzen, set the sails and forget about it.

But most importantly I feel it is aestetically more pleasing.

[zeehag]

i have a nice orange yellow red and striped hammock--i can place it in many different places --not just one... and i cant stop the picture of us in a sloop bashing into a storm as we were blown way by a ketch under jib n jigger--cant wait to get this boat into the same circumstances we were in in gulf sailing a sloop with incredible weather helm and non responsive autohelm..... i think i win with my ketch. btw--i own one of each, sloop and ketch. i would never again consider cruising the sloop after sailing a ketch.
same with a cutter-- btdt.
gimme a lovely formosa ketch. oh!! that is right--i already have one....... lol

[cal40john]

Originally Posted by smallyachts

In the event of a serious failure in the rig there are more pieces to come up with some type of jury rig.

Not to mention that if only 1 stick fails, you have a backup.

Easier to balance the rig in a wider range of conditions. If we don't want to get beat up on a gusty day we run on jib and mizzen, set the sails and forget about it.

But most importantly I feel it is aestetically more pleasing.

Has anyone actually tried this? If you lose the main mast can you really get enough sail area far enough forward on the mizzen to make progress?

John

[CarlF]

I'm surprised that I didn't get any argument from my earlier post. Evidently, even ketch people have allowed themselves to be cowed by the round the buoy racers and the production boat marketing peoples claims based solely on a sloop's slightly better pointing ability.

A ketch is the faster offshore rig for cruisers (monohull 42ft+).

Offshore, few short handed cruising couples will set a cruising spinnaker in any but the most benign conditions. Never at night. Even fewer would consider changing headsails even though the typical 130% furling headsail is a bad compromise except in a narrow wind range.

More sail safely carried = faster passages.

Carl

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by cal40john

Has anyone actually tried this? If you lose the main mast can you really get enough sail area far enough forward on the mizzen to make progress?

John

one would also have to rig a foresail, as ketches dont like sailing under mizzen alone..with my formosa--is keel stepped, so jury rigging is easier than if lost entire deck stepped mast.......havent done it, but have the plans are in my brain for emergent use. and the cable cutters at the ready..next to the flares....etc.

carl--i thought i addressed that-- we were sailing a sloop in a t-storm off fla and were blown away by a ketch under jib n jigger--lol i cant wait to get my ketch into that body of water--i will have an absolute BALLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! less weathr helm and more speed..LOL..i can dig it.....saw it happen and will do it meself....

[Theros]

Originally Posted by bdurham

somebody tell me what is so amazing about ketch rigged sailboats?

There are lots of reasons given here but one is certainly missing. A ketch sits better at anchor. I like to fly a small triangle of sail cloth on my mizzen. No anchor weave...

[SurferShane]

They look really traditional and owning one is cool? Then even on my smaller H 28 I find it is a practical rig that works well cruising. Bugger crew - I would be even more lost without my mizzen!

[SurferShane]

Originally Posted by Theros

There are lots of reasons given here but one is certainly missing. A ketch sits better at anchor. I like to fly a small triangle of sail cloth on my mizzen. No anchor weave...

Totally agree as I also use the mizzen to stabilise the boat at anchor. It does a great job of holding the bow into the wind and takes a bit of pressure off the anchor. My mizzen is about to be replaced and I am looking at getting a decent weight cloth with a reef so it will handle heavy weather and constant use. From memory this point was well covered in a similar previous thread.

[SurferShane]

Seriously, how cool do ketches look hitting top gear on a big reach using a mizzen staysail?

[s/v Jedi]

Let's just define the negative (there's only one) of a ketch rig for cruisers: you can't have a fixed bimini over the cockpit as it interferes with the mizzen boom/vang/sheet.

Ketches rule!

ciao!
Nick.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Let's just define the negative (there's only one) of a ketch rig for cruisers: you can't have a fixed bimini over the cockpit as it interferes with the mizzen boom/vang/sheet.

Ketches rule!

ciao!
Nick.

If you had a proper center cockpit forward of the mizzen mast you would not have that problem.

[Theros]

I have two reefs in my new mizzen. Well worth it.

[Heikki]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Let's just define the negative (there's only one) of a ketch rig for cruisers: you can't have a fixed bimini over the cockpit as it interferes with the mizzen boom/vang/sheet.

That is not necessarily the case. Our mizzen sheet is attached to deck just about 3 inched forward of the aft. The more or less permanent steel arch holding the bimini is just lightly more forward. For running, I have to detach the sheet and lead it forward of the arch, otherwise the sheet would pull the arch which again is no problem on lighter winds. Sure enough, the bimini itself is removable and not fixed.

No offence Nick, but owning and frequently sailing both a ketch and a sloop, I seriously doubt if there any negative issues with ketches. As you say, they just rule...

I trust the following secret will never leave this forum and this fine thread and shall never be released to any sloop-only sailors: there is downside and it’s related to racing. Extra mast causes extra drag. A mast further upwind also causes some turbulence. That makes the same sail area relatively less efficient on a ketch than on a sloop. However, ketch rig is still performing relatively better than yawl and schooner rigs. Most systems give you no credit on extra masts, but just count the total area of your sail plan. With the same area of canvas, sloop will be faster.

--heikki

[kbudd]

The best thing about a ketch is sailing on a broad reach with a spinnaker, staysail, main, mizzen, and mizzen staysail. Nothing looks better and it gives the crew lots of stuff to do. It may not be fast but it looks good !

[kbudd]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

Let's just define the negative (there's only one) of a ketch rig for cruisers: you can't have a fixed bimini over the cockpit as it interferes with the mizzen boom/vang/sheet.

Ketches rule!

ciao!
Nick.

You can if the cockpit is in the middle.