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[Edward 14244]

Masthead vs fractional?

Don, I'll call Garhauer, and if you make it to Sydney, you'll be most welcome on my boat!Getting back to the masthead issue: what are in your view the advantages or disadvantages of masthead vs fractional rig? Most racing boats seem to have fractional rigs, I noticed at the Sydney Boat Show that the new (for here..) Hunter 37 now also has a fractional rig. It is easier to sail a fractional rig singlehanded under main alone (except I suppose DDW). What is the rationale behing most cruising boats having a masthead rig?

 

[Don Guillette]

Sydney

Ed: Thank you for the kind offer. I hope to take you up on that some day.To me there is no difference between the masthead and fractional rig. I'm equally at home on both of them. I do think there is a performance edge with the fractional on a performance boat. You probably would not notice it on a production boat. I have no scientific info to back up that statement other than the fact the America Cup type boats are all fractional. If masthead had more performance you can bet the America Cup boats would be masthead.I think it is easier to sail a masthead with main only because the engine on those boats is the jib. With a fractional and main only you have your foot on the accelerator.