I have read some older post's regarding this - I would appreciate any input on pros' and con's. I am currently looking at two boats, one a 29' masthead, the other a 30' fractional.
Thanks
Keiffer
Thanks
Keiffer
Masthead Sloop vs Fractional Rig
- Thread starter Keiffer
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The fractional rig is a more flexible rig. If the two boats were identical except for the rig, I'd go for the fractionally rigged boat. A fractional rig gives you more control over the sail shape.
That said, I doubt these boats are identical and it would really help if you said what the two models were. Some sailboats are known to have certain drawbacks and peculiarities. It would also help if you said what kind of sailing plans you have for the boat.
That said, I doubt these boats are identical and it would really help if you said what the two models were. Some sailboats are known to have certain drawbacks and peculiarities. It would also help if you said what kind of sailing plans you have for the boat.
I had a small O'Day with a fractional rig and you could point almost directly into the apparent wind.
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I have had four fractionally rigged boats and two masthead. I find a masthead is better off the wind and a fractional on a beat. Having said that, it is down the list compared to other performance characteristics of the particular boat. While I like fractionally rigged boats, it's really just familiarity and comfort level.
I have had four fractionally rigged boats and two masthead. I find a masthead is better off the wind and a fractional on a beat. Having said that, it is down the list compared to other performance characteristics of the particular boat. While I like fractionally rigged boats, it's really just familiarity and comfort level.
I've had fractional and masthead boats and I prefer the fractional. Usually the fractional has a smaller more easily trimmed jib. I also find the adjustability of the main desirable. The usually bendier fractional rig sags off in a blow and depowers and flattens the main. I like a comparison to a tree that bends in the wind vs. a tree with a massive trunk that stands to the wind.
Fractional rigs tend to sail pretty well with just the main. Mastheads less so.
Fractional rigs tend to sail pretty well with just the main. Mastheads less so.
Sorry i should have idicated what the boats were - Ericson 29 Mast Head, and Ericson 30+ Fractional. I appreciate the input as this will be my first "big" boat.
Keiffer
Keiffer
One other note I will be sailing on Lake Lanier an inland lake about an hour north of Atlanta.
Keiffer
Keiffer
I was interested in both too at one point. Fractional versus masthead is low on my list for that pair versus the very different keel design. The 29 has a old style thick fin with a shallower draft while the 30+ has a more modern foil, but it is rather deep for a 30 footer, if I recall correctly (5' 10"). Should be a drastic price differnce. A 29 is a 10-20K boat while a 30+ is probably a 20-30K boat. I love the engine access on the 29, but it is tough to find one in good shape from those I have seen. The 29 might also have the odd split cockpit that the 29 and 32 had. I don't know where they got the shortened pedestals from, but if it isn't Edson it could be tough to find parts.
Bob's point about the split cockpit is extremely important. Most E32s had that, and it is a killer wrong design. Just ask your shins and your knees after a few sails. Good point, Bob.
How much fractional? 7/8 is not too much different. 3/4 is very different.
Masthead boats can sail on their jibs alone quite well. Big mains without adequate controls and good shape (i.e., relatively new) may be an issue. What condition are the sails in?
And if one of them has an M25 engine and the other doesn't, buy the M25 - we have a tremendous amoutn of great information about those engines on this board and our C34 wiki.
After all this input though, YOU have to make the decision: can you sit in your dinghy, look back and say: Ahhhh.....
How much fractional? 7/8 is not too much different. 3/4 is very different.
Masthead boats can sail on their jibs alone quite well. Big mains without adequate controls and good shape (i.e., relatively new) may be an issue. What condition are the sails in?
And if one of them has an M25 engine and the other doesn't, buy the M25 - we have a tremendous amoutn of great information about those engines on this board and our C34 wiki.
After all this input though, YOU have to make the decision: can you sit in your dinghy, look back and say: Ahhhh.....
Generally speaking, the fractional rig will have a smaller headsail, which is easier to tack and the mainsail will be larger than the masthead relatively speaking. On a masthead rig you can expect most of your horse power to be off the headsail, while on a fractional rig, you can expect your mainsail to be very important in the horsepower area. If you sail in very windy conditions, you will like the fractional rig because the headsail is easier to tack, the combined center of effort most likely will be lower and the mast will probably be tapered, which means it will bend to leeward in a blow, which helps depower the rig for better control in higher winds. If you have a masthead rig, you will have very big headsails, which might be better if you sail in a very light winded area. You will like the additional sail area and the higher combined center of effort the masthead rig will offer. You usually have more bend control over a fractional rig for various shapes in various wind conditions. Many masthead rigs are like telephone poles and do not bend much.
The Ericson 30+ is a faster boat than the Ericson 30. It has a different keel, probably a longer mast and I just happen to know it is a pretty nice sailing and fast boat (powerful), which will have a fun factor that the E-30 does not necessarily have. Also, I believe the interior of the 30+ is fancier and perhaps more pleasing.
So, it might depend on how many people you are sailing with, where you sail and what sort of wind conditions you have, how you are going to use the boat (if you are ever going to race it, go with the 30+) and then compare the basement to see what sort of cruising accommodations each have.
The Ericson 30+ is a faster boat than the Ericson 30. It has a different keel, probably a longer mast and I just happen to know it is a pretty nice sailing and fast boat (powerful), which will have a fun factor that the E-30 does not necessarily have. Also, I believe the interior of the 30+ is fancier and perhaps more pleasing.
So, it might depend on how many people you are sailing with, where you sail and what sort of wind conditions you have, how you are going to use the boat (if you are ever going to race it, go with the 30+) and then compare the basement to see what sort of cruising accommodations each have.
The 30 is a much newer design, and will be much faster upwind
and in light air. The big fractional rig will make it a more responsive,
and more fun boat to sail.
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