I have read on numerous webs sites about sailboats and continually see the term "fractional mast". I am curious as to its meaning. What are the alternatives and are they better or not? Signed "just curious" from Texas
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fractional
A fractional rig is any mast that is not a masthead rig. A masthead rig is one where the headstay attaches to the very top of the mast--the masthead. So on a fractional rig, the headstay attaches somewhere below the masthead, expressed as a fraction, for example: 7/8, 3/4, or 5/8 fractional rig. Not to be confused with a B&R rig, which is different, although most B&R rigs are fractionals. Somewhere on this site I believe there is a discussion of the merits of the fractional rig
A fractional rig is any mast that is not a masthead rig. A masthead rig is one where the headstay attaches to the very top of the mast--the masthead. So on a fractional rig, the headstay attaches somewhere below the masthead, expressed as a fraction, for example: 7/8, 3/4, or 5/8 fractional rig. Not to be confused with a B&R rig, which is different, although most B&R rigs are fractionals. Somewhere on this site I believe there is a discussion of the merits of the fractional rig
Fractional / masthead
Masthead - jibstay attached to top of mast, flying large genoas that overlap the mainsail. Fractional - jibstay attached at some lower point to the mast, and jibs that are generally rather small. If sailing under one sail only, you "generally" see mastheads sailing with the genoa jib alone, fractionals sail with the main alone. As I've learned on this forum, with a fractional rig, the main is the "engine", while with a masthead rig, the jib (genoa) is the "engine". Cheers.
Masthead - jibstay attached to top of mast, flying large genoas that overlap the mainsail. Fractional - jibstay attached at some lower point to the mast, and jibs that are generally rather small. If sailing under one sail only, you "generally" see mastheads sailing with the genoa jib alone, fractionals sail with the main alone. As I've learned on this forum, with a fractional rig, the main is the "engine", while with a masthead rig, the jib (genoa) is the "engine". Cheers.
Thank you
Thank you guys for the information. My bad, I thought it had to do with wether the mast was stepped on the top deck or went through the top deck.
Thank you guys for the information. My bad, I thought it had to do with wether the mast was stepped on the top deck or went through the top deck.
Bergstrom and Ridder are the B
Essentially it is a rig with swept-back spreaders. The various features are discussed in the link below. Hunter seems to be the prime proponent of this rig, and it seems to be evolving. Our '87 H31 has a B
Essentially it is a rig with swept-back spreaders. The various features are discussed in the link below. Hunter seems to be the prime proponent of this rig, and it seems to be evolving. Our '87 H31 has a B
Yes, Rick, there are B
I have one. As my previous post describes, it is a lot different from what is now in use. BTW, Linda and Steve Dashew accidentally discovered that a sail will tack fine even with enough roach to actually overlap the backstay by several feet. Obviously, this isn't going to work on a racing boat or any other that tacks a lot, but on a voyaging boat it is a workable solution to the problem of wanting roach without using swept spreaders or sacrificing the backstay. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
I have one. As my previous post describes, it is a lot different from what is now in use. BTW, Linda and Steve Dashew accidentally discovered that a sail will tack fine even with enough roach to actually overlap the backstay by several feet. Obviously, this isn't going to work on a racing boat or any other that tacks a lot, but on a voyaging boat it is a workable solution to the problem of wanting roach without using swept spreaders or sacrificing the backstay. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Can anyone else see Fred's pictures?
I haven't been able to open pictures for a day or two..... Is it me?
I haven't been able to open pictures for a day or two..... Is it me?
The backstay adjuster is seen here.
I removed the split backstay in favor of this. The bimini likes it. Like all B&R rigs, the backstay is not needed to hold the mast up. But the advantage of tensioning on my boat include reducing headstay sag to aid going to weather. This also protects the roller furling from excessive sag to aid in operation. The backstay is also insulated to serve as our ham radio antenna. These rigs were prevalent in the '80s. Wanna race? They go really good. But you should be in shape to get the most out of it. This rig is also two feet taller than a Catalina 36 of the same years. Lotsa power. But a little tender. Great for the Northwest. In the Caribbean, well, don't even bother with the main.
I removed the split backstay in favor of this. The bimini likes it. Like all B&R rigs, the backstay is not needed to hold the mast up. But the advantage of tensioning on my boat include reducing headstay sag to aid going to weather. This also protects the roller furling from excessive sag to aid in operation. The backstay is also insulated to serve as our ham radio antenna. These rigs were prevalent in the '80s. Wanna race? They go really good. But you should be in shape to get the most out of it. This rig is also two feet taller than a Catalina 36 of the same years. Lotsa power. But a little tender. Great for the Northwest. In the Caribbean, well, don't even bother with the main.
CROSSING
Since we’re on the subject… We have a 2001 h260 and the diagonals touch the standing rigging at the point of crossing. Should I insert some anti-chafe? Thanks, Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
Since we’re on the subject… We have a 2001 h260 and the diagonals touch the standing rigging at the point of crossing. Should I insert some anti-chafe? Thanks, Paul s/v The Lord Nelson
That one comes up now and then.
The answer is no. The standing rig is stationary. As such the wires don't wear. Watch them for a season or two. If you see a flat spot starting, then add protection. But I'll bet that you won't. In 19 years with my boat it's never worn there. The Caribbean did kill the first shrouds after they were 14 years old. But that was rust.
The answer is no. The standing rig is stationary. As such the wires don't wear. Watch them for a season or two. If you see a flat spot starting, then add protection. But I'll bet that you won't. In 19 years with my boat it's never worn there. The Caribbean did kill the first shrouds after they were 14 years old. But that was rust.
More on rig taxonomy
I believe it's the case that any rig where the jibstay is below the masthead will be "fractional", even the B&R design mentioned. A significant characteristic of a masthead rig is that the forestay also supports the jib, while with fractional rigs there may be a "babystay" or short shroud running from the lower front of the mast to the foredeck instead of a long forestay at the bow. Cutter-rigged sloops (2 jibs) are not really "fractional" because the aft jib is considered, in the old windjammer terminology, a staysail (an auxiliary jib rather than the primary). The "fractional" rig probably got wiped out by the IOR (International Ocean Racing) rule introduced in the 80's, which encouraged large jibs and small mains, a trend which us owners of used boats from those eras suffer with. The predecessor of the swept-spreader B&R idea were the running stays on gaff-rigged boats--the gaff (upper) boom made a backstay impossible so moveable stays were rigged to the side decks, on tracks like our genoa lead tracks today, and had to be moved before coming about (big trouble to forget that one!) When the mast runs all the way to the keel it is "keel-stepped". When it is balanced on the coachroof it is "deck-stepped". The deck-stepped mast is always supported underneath by a "compression post", often a pole supporting the salon table that runs to the keel. Tereza's description of how these rigs work is right on the money and will save years of confusion--memorize it!
I believe it's the case that any rig where the jibstay is below the masthead will be "fractional", even the B&R design mentioned. A significant characteristic of a masthead rig is that the forestay also supports the jib, while with fractional rigs there may be a "babystay" or short shroud running from the lower front of the mast to the foredeck instead of a long forestay at the bow. Cutter-rigged sloops (2 jibs) are not really "fractional" because the aft jib is considered, in the old windjammer terminology, a staysail (an auxiliary jib rather than the primary). The "fractional" rig probably got wiped out by the IOR (International Ocean Racing) rule introduced in the 80's, which encouraged large jibs and small mains, a trend which us owners of used boats from those eras suffer with. The predecessor of the swept-spreader B&R idea were the running stays on gaff-rigged boats--the gaff (upper) boom made a backstay impossible so moveable stays were rigged to the side decks, on tracks like our genoa lead tracks today, and had to be moved before coming about (big trouble to forget that one!) When the mast runs all the way to the keel it is "keel-stepped". When it is balanced on the coachroof it is "deck-stepped". The deck-stepped mast is always supported underneath by a "compression post", often a pole supporting the salon table that runs to the keel. Tereza's description of how these rigs work is right on the money and will save years of confusion--memorize it!
Hi Rick
I learned to sail my first dingy on the Glenmore reservoir. Where do you sail the Hunter ?
I learned to sail my first dingy on the Glenmore reservoir. Where do you sail the Hunter ?
Howdy Ron
Ron - I only sailed once on Glenmore, a race night on a San Juan 21. It was my first (and only) race experience. Cool, but I can't out during the week on a regular basis, it seems. I took the CYA Basic Keelboat training on Ghost Lake (just west of Cochran). I bought the H23.5 from Specialty Yachts on Granville Island, Vancouver, and towed it back to Calgary. I sail at Gleniffer Lake, about 90 minutes north of here (which puts it south-west of Red Deer). I have a boat slip so I just keep it in the water for our 4 month sailing season. Someday I might take it around to Sylvan lake and others. In about 1982 they built a dam on the Red Deer river, creating Gleniffer Lake. Unlike most prairie lakes, it's deep (mostly 30 to 110 feet) and clean. Usually it's plenty warm enough for swimming but this year it was cold all summer. Now if only the season was longer... ...RickM...
Ron - I only sailed once on Glenmore, a race night on a San Juan 21. It was my first (and only) race experience. Cool, but I can't out during the week on a regular basis, it seems. I took the CYA Basic Keelboat training on Ghost Lake (just west of Cochran). I bought the H23.5 from Specialty Yachts on Granville Island, Vancouver, and towed it back to Calgary. I sail at Gleniffer Lake, about 90 minutes north of here (which puts it south-west of Red Deer). I have a boat slip so I just keep it in the water for our 4 month sailing season. Someday I might take it around to Sylvan lake and others. In about 1982 they built a dam on the Red Deer river, creating Gleniffer Lake. Unlike most prairie lakes, it's deep (mostly 30 to 110 feet) and clean. Usually it's plenty warm enough for swimming but this year it was cold all summer. Now if only the season was longer... ...RickM...
Thanks, Ron
Tried it on my other computer and it works fine.... that means it's a setting in one of my pop-up blockers. Too bad... I always like to see pictures of Freds boat. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Tried it on my other computer and it works fine.... that means it's a setting in one of my pop-up blockers. Too bad... I always like to see pictures of Freds boat. Cheers, Bob s/v X SAIL R 8
Howdy Rick
Thanks for the update, Rick. Lucky you, having all that water. We are at a 10 year low here. Levels in the harbour are approaching 5 feet. Some are grounding already. We hope it rises before the scheduled haul-out date at the end of October. Talk about a short sailing season !
Thanks for the update, Rick. Lucky you, having all that water. We are at a 10 year low here. Levels in the harbour are approaching 5 feet. Some are grounding already. We hope it rises before the scheduled haul-out date at the end of October. Talk about a short sailing season !
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