Cutter to Yawl or Ketch?

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Cutter to YawlThe mother of all questions……can a Hunter 37C be turned into a yawl?. I can figure out with no trouble at all how to set up the standing rigging, extra supports , etc., etc, etc,. What I want to know is, can it be done from the standpoint that it will sail with the same characteristics as a yawl? From what I understand, a yawl rig has about the same sail area and mast placement as a sloop or cutter. But other things come into play i.e. type of keel, underwater shape of hull, CE, CLR and much much more. I would much rather have a ketch but I'll settle for a yawl. Why a yawl? Because I could set the mizzen at anchor so that the boat wont side sea or sail at anchor and also the flexibility of sails under different weather conditions. Mainly though, I want to be able to fly a mizzen staysail or a mizzen jib or a mizzen spinnaker, you know, the fun stuff.So why don’t I just go out and buy a ketch? The only Ketch's that I can reasonably get in the age/size/price range would be an Irwin 37CC…Out of the question for many reasons or an Endeavour 37, which is hard to find and Im still not sure of its sailing qualities.I don’t want a project boat and I have been looking on yachtworld and many other sights so that I know what is available and its approximate cost.I really like the Hunter 37C, I can buy one ready to sail the day I own it and play with the mizzen with my spare time/money. If it is not feasible, I can easily love a Hunter 37C as is. If a mod of this nature don’t perform, it will be a real costly mistake, one that I cant afford. And NO, I cant afford a naval architect, and I wont try this without some expert knowledge or experience Does anybody know of anyone that has tried this successfully? And where is J Cheribini II when I need him?This question is kinda bizarre and maybe to save my dignity I should not use my real name.Thanks in advance for all your help.

 

[Capt Ron;-)]

No Dumb Questions...

Tony, The adage 'there are no dumb questions just dumb answers',is applicable here.The only stuff more fun than talking yachts is palying chess, at least to me.I will not tell you what you expect to hear, as you like a serious guy and this has been done by many great sailors, Joshua Slocum did exactly this with the famous "Spray".In short, it can be done.Will it change your center-of-effort, C. of Lat resistance, or give undo weather-helm? May be but a mizzen or jigger is a small sail and is mainly designed to 'weather-cock' you rather than drive (there is some drive).Your problems are: 1)a secure mast-step, and even though it is a small rig, have a arch support of compression post BELOW it. 2) Chain-plates and shrouds. 3) Having room for the boom & main sheet.You can rig a triadic stay from the mainmast to the fly of this jiggermast fro forward support, and the mizzen-sheet in tackle cinched up will do with a small sail for backstay support; with the boom out past the stern this is how it is commonly done, larger sails will hva a boomkin, similar to a bowsprit, for aft support.Lottq work, but can indeed be done.Get "The Riggers Apprentice" Good book, the author, forget his name, is still teaching classes up in WA, Evertt methinks...

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Thanks Capt Ron

Thanks for the info. I'm at work now..offshore in the gulf of mexico on an oil and gas platform, but i will definately find a copy of the "riggers apprentice" when i get home in a week or so. I have worked on many boats and have built/rebuilt a boomkin or two. I just like the Hunter 37 Cutter and it sails well compared to most ketch's. Engineering the mizzen is something that could be done in my spare time and not interfere with my sailing. I have the skills in woodworking and fiberglasing and some experience in boat repair and remodeling.Since a Yawl mizzen is relatively small, I wonder if it would be tall enough to run a mizzen staysail or a small spinnaker. As for windward sailing, i understand most yawls drop the mizzen. Thanks again

 

[Ellis Rogers]

Rigger's Apprentice

Book was written by Brion Toss. Excellent reference book.Ellis

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Follow this Post

If interested, this was also posted on a Hunter site, I have some responses there also. Go to ...hunterowners.com, then look on left side for 'forums'. when you get the drop down menu, hit 'Hunter Forums' then another dropdown menu will appear, hit 'Big boats 34+. I will still check this site also, Thanks.

 

[Capt Ron;-)]

Reply to Tony

Sure, no sweat, glad to help. I had a friend who was a diver out there, he worked out of Morgan City,La. on the rigs.I delivered an Endeavour across the Gulf, FT. Myers to Kemah, Galveston a few years back.When you are not using the mizzen, you have your original rig, just some more windage. If you are not messing with the main, and stepping a mizzen, small, it shouldn't have too much effect, and nice running a genoa and mizzen for an easy ride.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

To Capt Ron

WE GOTTA QUIT MEETING LIKE THIS, lol. For some reason i cant get into my original post on the hunter site so i started a new one. look at both if u have time. The last one I said that i think a yawl is basically a sloop/cutter with a tail feather somewhat unlike a ketch where you also get some power.And thanks again.

 

[Capt Ron;-)]

Details

Tony, Give a shout to Jay Stormerdixielandmarine.com281-330-9966A good guy, he's in Kemah, Texas, and will give some specific answers if you tell him what you are doing.Aye, mate.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

Thanks again Capt Ron

thanks again , this is turning out to be fun. Especially since im a prisoner out her in the gulf.....no damned library, but thank God for the internet. I learned alot from it. Several articles more or les indicate that a yawl is more or less a sloop/cutter with a tailfeather. But we both know better than to just shrug off the "more or less" part.