I have had many boats in many shapes and sizes…some with motors/ many without…all good + mostly affordable!! The Correct Answer is just one more small boat!!…81+ years and counting!
That's TRILOBYTE, our little 16x4ft micro-cruiser with an 8ft cabin (about like a pup-tent), anchored in a cove near Sitka, Alaska.
The sail is an over-the-top Crab-Claw rig (pioneered by HolupuniCanoes). It has a cross yard between the two limbs of the CC (vs 3 limbs of a Rogallo), mounted with a universal joint to the top of a small mast. The yard and sail rotate in three(!) dimensions... squared off to run, longitudinal when close-hauled, tacking in front of or over the mast, reefing by setting toward horizontal to roll its force vector upward.
We used three control lines: a tack downhaul to stand erect and lay the sail back, and two sheet/dowhaul/preventers to swing the sail inboard and pull downward on a limb (I.e, standard sheeting and prt/sbrd rotation). The windward sheet, when leading to the upper limb, acted as a preventer, eliminating (most) sag/twist. Very simple in use.
Stowed at anchor, as you see it in the pic, it acts as a riding sail / rain catcher / Bimini in winds up to about 25kts (though we'd generally douse it if piped up above 20kts).
It's a versatile and powerful rig, but we never mastered it... that third dimension demands a lot more of its crew! The controls are simple, but quick-reaction trim decisions were the hard part. We did fine in open water, but never felt comfortable in tight quarters as fluky gusts could send us screaming at high speed in some random direction.
My feeling is that most Rig's adapt well to barge/scow hulls, benefiting from their high form stability low hull drag and generous deck area. We wanted to try the CC, but keep coming back to Junk Rig unless other factors rule it out (e.g., quick raise/lower while underway).
What ever vessel you have in your possession you can put many useful hours of planning and R.O.I calculations on upgrades like turn of the last century bronze port lights and the covered matching fenders but if you have no boat you’re just day dreaming aren’t you?
Well said. Follow your dreams, but do it within your capabilities. Keep in mind the objective is to be out there enjoying a water experience.
My Westsail 32 is under contract. It’s too big and I’m too old. Your article motivates me and gives me hope that my sailing dreams can continue.
Thank you!😊
I have had many boats in many shapes and sizes…some with motors/ many without…all good + mostly affordable!! The Correct Answer is just one more small boat!!…81+ years and counting!
Dave, I'm a big fan of your writing for the past two decades. Keep it coming. Do you remember this from 2009:
https://www.duckworksmagazine.com/09/designs/slacktide/index.htm
Hi Chuck,
I do indeed! We lived aboard for 6 years, and SLACKTIDE is still one of my favorite homes. I miss DuckWorks, too!
Dave Z
Is that a house boat in the article's picture or a flying boat? Looks like a Rogallo wing on top.
Hi William,
That's TRILOBYTE, our little 16x4ft micro-cruiser with an 8ft cabin (about like a pup-tent), anchored in a cove near Sitka, Alaska.
The sail is an over-the-top Crab-Claw rig (pioneered by HolupuniCanoes). It has a cross yard between the two limbs of the CC (vs 3 limbs of a Rogallo), mounted with a universal joint to the top of a small mast. The yard and sail rotate in three(!) dimensions... squared off to run, longitudinal when close-hauled, tacking in front of or over the mast, reefing by setting toward horizontal to roll its force vector upward.
We used three control lines: a tack downhaul to stand erect and lay the sail back, and two sheet/dowhaul/preventers to swing the sail inboard and pull downward on a limb (I.e, standard sheeting and prt/sbrd rotation). The windward sheet, when leading to the upper limb, acted as a preventer, eliminating (most) sag/twist. Very simple in use.
Stowed at anchor, as you see it in the pic, it acts as a riding sail / rain catcher / Bimini in winds up to about 25kts (though we'd generally douse it if piped up above 20kts).
It's a versatile and powerful rig, but we never mastered it... that third dimension demands a lot more of its crew! The controls are simple, but quick-reaction trim decisions were the hard part. We did fine in open water, but never felt comfortable in tight quarters as fluky gusts could send us screaming at high speed in some random direction.
My feeling is that most Rig's adapt well to barge/scow hulls, benefiting from their high form stability low hull drag and generous deck area. We wanted to try the CC, but keep coming back to Junk Rig unless other factors rule it out (e.g., quick raise/lower while underway).
Dave Z
Fascinating! Thanks for the detailed reply!
What ever vessel you have in your possession you can put many useful hours of planning and R.O.I calculations on upgrades like turn of the last century bronze port lights and the covered matching fenders but if you have no boat you’re just day dreaming aren’t you?