I've been following this discussion a bit. There is a critical statement you've made in my opinion - you say you don't have enough experience with either the cutter rig or the solent rig. I'm attaching two links on a short discussion of the differences between the two rigs. You can get to the second link via the first link but as I had read these some time ago I just wanted to know if I was remembering them correctly before posting them so I just attached both.
The writers state they feel the cutter rig is better for off shore sailing - an opinion I agree with just to be transparent. However I have sailed with folks that prefer the solent rig so it is really a matter of preference.
It's a fair amount of work and expense in both cases to design, build and make the sails etc. to create either of these as it is a redesign of your boats current rigging. The solent rig may be less work, but it's still not trivial.
In my opinion you don't need to spend the time, money and work to redesign your rig. Just make sure you have a good small sail option for high winds setup. If I were in your shoes, I would spend the time and money on a proper installation of a Jordan drogue. The rig you currently have is more than adequate for what you want to do. Is it the very best? Well, perhaps not, but definitely a good rig and sufficient for what you are planning to do.
Here at Upffront, we are aware that many people are searching for the perfect bluewater cruising set up. Two popular options for off-shore cruising are the cutter rig and the solent rig, both sporting their own pros and cons.
www.upffront.com
In a previous blog, Upffront evaluated the pros & cons of a cutter rig as a popular bluewater cruising set up. Now, it’s the turn of the solent rig. Like the cutter rig, the solent rig also utilises two headsails; different sized genoas sit close together. How does a solent compare to a cutter rig?
www.upffront.com
dj
