has anyone converted a sloop rig to a cutter?

[Rich Kilby]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience converting a small boat rig, ie: sloop to cutter? I once looked at a Cape Dory 25 that had a mizzen mast added behind the tiller to make a yawl rig. Was thinking of adding a midsail to my C27 to make a cutter rig. Can it be done??

 

[Bob Fischer]

complex design change

I read an article about someone changing a sloop to a cutter. He fited a brace below the forward deck from gunwale to gunwale where the forstay would be attached. There is a great deal of upward pressure applied there, the brace would need to be attached to the hull sides. Also the balance of the boat changed, he experienced lee helm with the added sail. After several sail changes he said it worked out fairly well. This was on a larger boat I believe. Good luck