One of the books my wife gave me for Christmas is "How to Sail Around the World" by Hal Roth. I found the book to be interesting, informative and well-written and Roth comes off as a really decent human being. In one section, he discusses different sorts of sailboats - sloops, ketch's, etc. He speaks very highly about cat rigged boats with free standing masts. In general, in his book, he advocates simplicity, so his positive attitude towards cat rigged boats is no surprise. He sees them as being very sea worthy and easy to sail. He compares the introduction of the free standing mast to the introduction of automatic transmission, which at first didn't work all that great, but now almost everybody (in the US) uses it. "I think freestanding masts will come into wide use because they're sensible, efficient and logical" he concludes. I'm curious what others think of this - both the free standing mast as well as the cat rig itself. One question I have: Can you heave-to with a cat rigged boat?
Cat rigged boat
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One of the books my wife gave me for Christmas is "How to Sail Around the World" by Hal Roth. I found the book to be interesting, informative and well-written and Roth comes off as a really decent human being. In one section, he discusses different sorts of sailboats - sloops, ketch's, etc. He speaks very highly about cat rigged boats with free standing masts. In general, in his book, he advocates simplicity, so his positive attitude towards cat rigged boats is no surprise. He sees them as being very sea worthy and easy to sail. He compares the introduction of the free standing mast to the introduction of automatic transmission, which at first didn't work all that great, but now almost everybody (in the US) uses it. "I think freestanding masts will come into wide use because they're sensible, efficient and logical" he concludes. I'm curious what others think of this - both the free standing mast as well as the cat rig itself. One question I have: Can you heave-to with a cat rigged boat?
My experience
I chartered a Nonsuch a number of years back and I did not care for the rig. I did only have it a week, so my impressions are not based on long term use. I found the huge mainsail hard very hard to hoist. On a broad reach, it took an awfully long time to haul that huge sail in towards center line in order to tack - the Charter place told me not to jibe. In a MOB situation, sometimes jibing is the quickest way to turn around. I did not like having all my sail area in one huge sail. On the plus size the boat was well built, tracked great, and was very comfortable. It would be interesting to hear from some owners of the Nonsuch.
I chartered a Nonsuch a number of years back and I did not care for the rig. I did only have it a week, so my impressions are not based on long term use. I found the huge mainsail hard very hard to hoist. On a broad reach, it took an awfully long time to haul that huge sail in towards center line in order to tack - the Charter place told me not to jibe. In a MOB situation, sometimes jibing is the quickest way to turn around. I did not like having all my sail area in one huge sail. On the plus size the boat was well built, tracked great, and was very comfortable. It would be interesting to hear from some owners of the Nonsuch.
My experience
I chartered a Nonsuch a number of years back and I did not care for the rig. I did only have it a week, so my impressions are not based on long term use. I found the huge mainsail hard very hard to hoist. On a broad reach, it took an awfully long time to haul that huge sail in towards center line in order to tack - the Charter place told me not to jibe. In a MOB situation, sometimes jibing is the quickest way to turn around. I did not like having all my sail area in one huge sail. On the plus size the boat was well built, tracked great, and was very comfortable. It would be interesting to hear from some owners of the Nonsuch.
I chartered a Nonsuch a number of years back and I did not care for the rig. I did only have it a week, so my impressions are not based on long term use. I found the huge mainsail hard very hard to hoist. On a broad reach, it took an awfully long time to haul that huge sail in towards center line in order to tack - the Charter place told me not to jibe. In a MOB situation, sometimes jibing is the quickest way to turn around. I did not like having all my sail area in one huge sail. On the plus size the boat was well built, tracked great, and was very comfortable. It would be interesting to hear from some owners of the Nonsuch.
Interesting
That's interesting. According to Roth, there is no problem with even an accidental jibe since the boom won't crash into a stay. Of course, my understanding is that damage from an accidental jibe is not only caused by this. Also, Higgs, did you try heaving to with her?
That's interesting. According to Roth, there is no problem with even an accidental jibe since the boom won't crash into a stay. Of course, my understanding is that damage from an accidental jibe is not only caused by this. Also, Higgs, did you try heaving to with her?
Interesting
That's interesting. According to Roth, there is no problem with even an accidental jibe since the boom won't crash into a stay. Of course, my understanding is that damage from an accidental jibe is not only caused by this. Also, Higgs, did you try heaving to with her?
That's interesting. According to Roth, there is no problem with even an accidental jibe since the boom won't crash into a stay. Of course, my understanding is that damage from an accidental jibe is not only caused by this. Also, Higgs, did you try heaving to with her?
Sounds good, but....
Would it be safe to say that naval architects, boat designers and manufacturers dont think much of them or there would be more Cat rigs around? BTW, werent Cat rigs popular aound the late 1800's and early 1900's? Tony B
Would it be safe to say that naval architects, boat designers and manufacturers dont think much of them or there would be more Cat rigs around? BTW, werent Cat rigs popular aound the late 1800's and early 1900's? Tony B
Sounds good, but....
Would it be safe to say that naval architects, boat designers and manufacturers dont think much of them or there would be more Cat rigs around? BTW, werent Cat rigs popular aound the late 1800's and early 1900's? Tony B
Would it be safe to say that naval architects, boat designers and manufacturers dont think much of them or there would be more Cat rigs around? BTW, werent Cat rigs popular aound the late 1800's and early 1900's? Tony B
According to Roth
the sails on a cat rigged boat are more easily handled, gybing is not a problem, and the free standing mast has obvious advantages. What aren't there more of them? Roth writes: "It sems to me that the biggest problem with a catboat with a single sail, a cat ketch, or a cat schooner is its unusualness. We're all so accustomed to looking at the familiar bermudian rig and all those wires and spreaders that it will take a while for sailors to gain confidence in a mast without any of the usual supports." He also says that the earliest cat rigged boats suffered from a "boxy, chunky" look. So to Higgs: Aside from it being difficult to raise such a large sail, what other comments would you have? Personally, if a free standing mast is just as strong, it seems clear to me that it would be a big step forward - in terms of cost and also strenght and maintenance (of the stays & shrouds as well as the chainplates).
the sails on a cat rigged boat are more easily handled, gybing is not a problem, and the free standing mast has obvious advantages. What aren't there more of them? Roth writes: "It sems to me that the biggest problem with a catboat with a single sail, a cat ketch, or a cat schooner is its unusualness. We're all so accustomed to looking at the familiar bermudian rig and all those wires and spreaders that it will take a while for sailors to gain confidence in a mast without any of the usual supports." He also says that the earliest cat rigged boats suffered from a "boxy, chunky" look. So to Higgs: Aside from it being difficult to raise such a large sail, what other comments would you have? Personally, if a free standing mast is just as strong, it seems clear to me that it would be a big step forward - in terms of cost and also strenght and maintenance (of the stays & shrouds as well as the chainplates).
According to Roth
the sails on a cat rigged boat are more easily handled, gybing is not a problem, and the free standing mast has obvious advantages. What aren't there more of them? Roth writes: "It sems to me that the biggest problem with a catboat with a single sail, a cat ketch, or a cat schooner is its unusualness. We're all so accustomed to looking at the familiar bermudian rig and all those wires and spreaders that it will take a while for sailors to gain confidence in a mast without any of the usual supports." He also says that the earliest cat rigged boats suffered from a "boxy, chunky" look. So to Higgs: Aside from it being difficult to raise such a large sail, what other comments would you have? Personally, if a free standing mast is just as strong, it seems clear to me that it would be a big step forward - in terms of cost and also strenght and maintenance (of the stays & shrouds as well as the chainplates).
the sails on a cat rigged boat are more easily handled, gybing is not a problem, and the free standing mast has obvious advantages. What aren't there more of them? Roth writes: "It sems to me that the biggest problem with a catboat with a single sail, a cat ketch, or a cat schooner is its unusualness. We're all so accustomed to looking at the familiar bermudian rig and all those wires and spreaders that it will take a while for sailors to gain confidence in a mast without any of the usual supports." He also says that the earliest cat rigged boats suffered from a "boxy, chunky" look. So to Higgs: Aside from it being difficult to raise such a large sail, what other comments would you have? Personally, if a free standing mast is just as strong, it seems clear to me that it would be a big step forward - in terms of cost and also strenght and maintenance (of the stays & shrouds as well as the chainplates).
Anybody ever gone forward along the side
decks on a free atanding mast boat? I find it disconcerting that there are no shrouds to hold on to!
They DO make great handholds, especially when you need them!
decks on a free atanding mast boat? I find it disconcerting that there are no shrouds to hold on to!
They DO make great handholds, especially when you need them!
Anybody ever gone forward along the side
decks on a free atanding mast boat? I find it disconcerting that there are no shrouds to hold on to! They DO make great handholds, especially when you need them!
decks on a free atanding mast boat? I find it disconcerting that there are no shrouds to hold on to!
They DO make great handholds, especially when you need them!
I just did a quick
search but could not find what I was looking for. Maybe a year ago it was either Boat US founder or Boating Worlds founder that had a Cat Ketch builrt and outfitted for extended cruising . They were goint to use it as a test platform for products they sell . Maybe one of you can remember and find the artical I'm refering to. I'm curious as to how he liked the rig myself. I have never heard an update on there traveles as prommised.
search but could not find what I was looking for. Maybe a year ago it was either Boat US founder or Boating Worlds founder that had a Cat Ketch builrt and outfitted for extended cruising . They were goint to use it as a test platform for products they sell . Maybe one of you can remember and find the artical I'm refering to. I'm curious as to how he liked the rig myself. I have never heard an update on there traveles as prommised.
I just did a quick
search but could not find what I was looking for. Maybe a year ago it was either Boat US founder or Boating Worlds founder that had a Cat Ketch builrt and outfitted for extended cruising . They were goint to use it as a test platform for products they sell . Maybe one of you can remember and find the artical I'm refering to. I'm curious as to how he liked the rig myself. I have never heard an update on there traveles as prommised.
search but could not find what I was looking for. Maybe a year ago it was either Boat US founder or Boating Worlds founder that had a Cat Ketch builrt and outfitted for extended cruising . They were goint to use it as a test platform for products they sell . Maybe one of you can remember and find the artical I'm refering to. I'm curious as to how he liked the rig myself. I have never heard an update on there traveles as prommised.
Stillraining, I remember that boat also,
and I believe it was someone connected to West Marine. The boat was a large double masted Wyliecat.
and I believe it was someone connected to West Marine. The boat was a large double masted Wyliecat.
Stillraining, I remember that boat also,
and I believe it was someone connected to West Marine. The boat was a large double masted Wyliecat.
and I believe it was someone connected to West Marine. The boat was a large double masted Wyliecat.
it was Randy Repass, founder & owner of West Marine
his writeups appear in the 2006 Catalog, and most likely also online.
his writeups appear in the 2006 Catalog, and most likely also online.
it was Randy Repass, founder & owner of West Marine
his writeups appear in the 2006 Catalog, and most likely also online.
his writeups appear in the 2006 Catalog, and most likely also online.
My knees can't stand being "on" them
so I use the shrouds and then either the handrails (in a crouch) or the upper lifeline. We also have side grab bars on the dodger. How anyone who has a dodger and no side rails is beyond me - it's a safety issue. GOB wrote up a side rail addition project a few years ago. If you don't have 'em, I recommend adding them.
so I use the shrouds and then either the handrails (in a crouch) or the upper lifeline. We also have side grab bars on the dodger. How anyone who has a dodger and no side rails is beyond me - it's a safety issue. GOB wrote up a side rail addition project a few years ago. If you don't have 'em, I recommend adding them.
My knees can't stand being "on" them
so I use the shrouds and then either the handrails (in a crouch) or the upper lifeline. We also have side grab bars on the dodger. How anyone who has a dodger and no side rails is beyond me - it's a safety issue. GOB wrote up a side rail addition project a few years ago. If you don't have 'em, I recommend adding them.
so I use the shrouds and then either the handrails (in a crouch) or the upper lifeline. We also have side grab bars on the dodger. How anyone who has a dodger and no side rails is beyond me - it's a safety issue. GOB wrote up a side rail addition project a few years ago. If you don't have 'em, I recommend adding them.
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