The Death of the Ketch ?

[Greatketch33]

Originally Posted by banyandah

Seems dominated by ketch lovers, .....

Very clear observation indeed, and logical to reason why the topic Death of the Ketch could
be preposterous in the mind of those ketch lovers.

I suppose the adage, "whatever floats your boat" holds water in this thread.

[ARTOLA]

I have a ketch:viksund31 the french sailor ericTABARLY is the winner of
"transat anglaise PLYMOUTH > NEWPORT the 29-6-1976 with his ketch PEN DUICK 6
During this "transat" he cross 5 storm episode.

[JMAC34]

Love the variety and the ability to balance the boat. Almost sails herself when properly trimmed. Head turner too when we're cruising passed the jetty down the fairway with 3 flying.

Good Living!!

[DSDman]

I'm king of the world!

[Nicholson58]

This weekend on lake Michigan.

[ketchman]

I have a ketch too sir king,,, and I totally agree with the balance helm. Its a great all around rigg in lite or heavy air. Up to 15 knots all raggs flying,, 15 to 20 jib and gigger.. its all good brother... I've found how to point really close to wind too,if I just pull the mizzen hard into windward. I'm convinced that the ketch rigg is the rigg for me!

[Hudson Force]

[/URL]

I loved my 14 years living aboard and cruising sloops, but we've been on this ketch for 28 years now and loving it too!

[boatsail]

What about the downside of the extra stick, chain plates and rigging? Worth the kexpense?

[Scott Berg]

Reports of my death are much exaggerated!






SB

[bill cartwright]

Since the downfall of the boating industry back in the 90's, all boats have slid to lower productions! A good example is Catalina. The Ketch is not dead but the owners are dying off with fewer kids to pass them on to. Boat junk people are cutting them up and selling the lead keels for profit. America is no longer producing a greater national product than what it is taking in and the people have been sold out to China and the East. No Jobs, no money, therefore no production of Ketches other than the Far East. The problem is not the Ketch but the economy of the country and world. I have owned 2 or 3 Ketches but now downsized to a Flicka-20. Forty years ago I singlehanded them every where and now I singlehand just as well. I just don't need more boat to get the job done.
Again it is not the Ketches but the Owners! They are dying off too fast!
Just my opinion but we all have one, so what is yours?
Have a good one
S/Y Enterprise
Galveston Texas

[Rubikoop]

Originally Posted by boatsail

What about the downside of the extra stick, chain plates and rigging? Worth the kexpense?

No extra chain plates on my boat. Actually no chainplates at all. No extra rigging so no extra expense.

[svMarite]

Very interesting - we're new-to-us cutter/ketch owners - 43 Shannon - good ol' boat '87. I had a sloop and after 2 trans-Ats, I was done with that rig. As stated here, I love the ability to configure so many different ways. We recently tacked out of a river in a lovely 12kt breeze with never touching lines! it was marvelous - self tacking stays'l, main and mizzen in tight, scurried along beautifully at 5+ kts! We had just sailed the day before in 25+ with no issue - jib&jigger...I love that. When's the last time you said that on a sloop in 25+...reef and all - never feels really right...

[scoobert]

not that i have ever lived on a mono sloop, but i can say my level headed ketch moves very little compared to the sloop on the other side of the finger.
I believe having all that extra weight up high, helps keep it from moving as much.
those masts have to weigh over 1000# with all the rigging.

[Capt.Fred]

Originally Posted by svMarite

Very interesting - we're new-to-us cutter/ketch owners - 43 Shannon - good ol' boat '87. I had a sloop and after 2 trans-Ats, I was done with that rig. As stated here, I love the ability to configure so many different ways. We recently tacked out of a river in a lovely 12kt breeze with never touching lines! it was marvelous - self tacking stays'l, main and mizzen in tight, scurried along beautifully at 5+ kts! We had just sailed the day before in 25+ with no issue - jib&jigger...I love that. When's the last time you said that on a sloop in 25+...reef and all - never feels really right...

Until you've sailed a ketch or yawl one doesn't realize what he is missing. I could do circles and figure 8's with my 50 footer in a crowded anchorage to the amazement of the other boat occupants. For fun I would come thru the boats several times, No chance of missing, since you can simply adjust your mizzen and/or stay sail with snatch cleats at your finger tips.
Out in the clear, you unfurl your yankee and you blast off. Yes, A cutter rigged yawl is my choice for every sailing condition. Two furling jibs really works with a self tending furling boomed stay sail. All lines should be within reach using snatch cleats. The photos are my Rob Roy 23, same rig.

[beiland]

Deketchification....what a concept !
Just found a great new word....invented by Eric Sponberg

Naturally I was interested in anything discussing ketches......