Ketch without mizzensail

[fishbait58]

Looking to purchase a Contest 42 ketch. I have never sailed a ketch. The owner has installed a radar and a high standing davit so the mizzen isn't usable at all. Can someone who sails a ketch tell me what they think about sailing it without the mizzen? How important is the mizzen? Seems like you need it if it's on there. Thanks in advance for any insight.


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[zeehag]

without the mizzen all you have is an under rigged funky sloop with a misplaced mast.
you can re locate items you wish to so relocate and make it so you again have an effective and efficient split rig .....

[markpierce]

The previous owner probably just motored. You could do the same but plan on removing obstructions to the mizzen sail if you're seriously thinking of sailing.

[44'cruisingcat]

Should be easy to install the radar so the mizzen can still be used? Davits might be harder, maybe raise the boom?

[fishbait58]

Here's a pic


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[olaf hart]

Crapontheback needs to go!

[Eleuthera 2014]

Originally Posted by olaf hart

Crapontheback needs to go!

+1...

[44'cruisingcat]

Wind Gens could also be mounted on the front of the mizzen.

[Sailmonkey]

Our ketch upwind without the mizzen gets gnarly lee helm. Running I stow the mizzen to prevent the boat tending to round up.
But the amount of crap on the back of that boat would need to go even if the mizzen would work with it there!!


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[fishbait58]

Crap in the back? The davits? I'm not digging the tall davits but would like to have something to hold the dingy. Any suggestions? Thanks.


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[markpierce]

Originally Posted by fishbait58

Crap in the back? The davits? I'm not digging the tall davits but would like to have something to hold the dingy. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Appropriately configured davits wouldn't interfere with the mizzen's operations.

[Cheechako]

Sell the wind gens to pay for the davit mods.

[jeepbluetj]

Or look for another boat that the PO had some pride in to not jack it up quite that much.

I maybe shoulda taken my own advice

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by fishbait58

Here's a pic


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I saw that boat listing somewhere I can't recall now, but when I saw it, I thought the lack of mizzen boom and the Tower of Power on the stern looked horrendous or laughable.

I don't say this to offend anyone here. And generally I am a practical guy who knows that solar and wind generators are useful, even if unsightly sometimes. But the combination as shown on that boat is too much, for my taste. YMMV

Good luck on your decision.

[autumnbreeze27]

And we don't mean to be harsh, but anybody that would do that kind of thing to a boat... would probably do other horrible things. Like re-wire the boat with cheap wire, or screw things in that should be bolted, or not sealing screw holes in weather, etc.

If you intend to sail you will have issues without your mizzen. I can post a pic of our setup, but if you look around the marina you're in, my guess is you'll find plenty of examples of ketches with stern davits AND mizzen booms.

If you keep that setup you should add a water slide to it.