conventional Dacron or polyester. In fact more of you are using Tyvek or Polytarp (7%) sails than performance fabrics that include Mylar, Kevlar or Carbon (3%). While very few of you opt for exotic sails, a quarter of you


spend the money for performance-grade cordage—low-stretch lines that use Spectra, Dyneema, etc. Te other 75% say they are content with more common and relatively inexpensive polyester double-braid or three-strand line.


Rate Your Rig We gave respondents a chance to rate their rigs form 1-10, with “1” being awful and “10” being perfect. It was encouraging to see that the overall rating of all rigs was “8,” indicating most of you are quite happy with what you’ve got. Tese high marks would also seem to confirm our earlier suggestion that what makes a good rig depends on each individual’s situation. But we also scanned the responses looking for the most


extreme ratings, the 9s and 10s—rigs that are clearly satisfying owners—and the lowest numbers—rigs that have obviously disappointed. Two rig types seemed to receive exceptional marks more


frequently: the Balance Lug and various kinds of Yawls. In the case of both rigs, enthusiastic owners gave high marks for things like speed, docility of handling, and off-the-wind per- formance. Generally the only weakness cited for either rig was pointing ability. A couple of differences between these two rigs was that


Yawls received higher marks for versatility and easy-reefing, where the Balance Lug was lauded for simplicity. A fair num- ber of Balance Lug sailors also contend their rig’s windward performance rivals a sloop. Every rig type had ardent proponents, however. Sloops,


Sprit-Rigged Gunters, Cat Ketches, Lateens, Gaff Cutters and many others scored their share of 9s and 10s. Interestingly, pointing ability, which seemed less important


to the many readers who gave high marks to their Yawls and Balance Lugs, was also the reason these same rigs were occa- sionally rated 5 or less. Some sailors simply can’t abide sacri- ficing performance to weather. Tis is also the reason several owners of Sloops gave their rigs especially high marks. To an extent, our survey demonstrated that the tradeoffs


often centered on pointing ability. Certain rigs, it appears, can offer most of the other advantages on our list, so long as one is willing to sacrifice some pointing ability. Conversely, performance Sloop sailors must be willing to let go of some of the other benefits. We can’t have it all.


What Did We Say? Here are some comments we received about specific rigs:


Balance Lug: “I’ve been designing and building small sailboats for around 45 years, have tried just about every possible per- mutation of sail and mast including flying kites. Te balanced lugsail is, in my opinion in most cases, the best rig for anything other than a pure racer.”


Standing Lug: “Boomless sail makes gybing (and tacking) risk-free for novice passengers and crew. Also makes reefing very simple. Sail twist in standing lugsail rig automatically


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depowers the sail in windy/gusty conditions. Short mast fits inside boat for rowing and trailering, and can fit under some bridges other masts can’t. Short spars are easy to handle, and cheaper to build. No controls needed other than halyard, downhaul, and sheet—very simple. Transitions between rowing and sailing are very fast, simple, and safe, even when out on the water—perfect for sail-and-oar cruising.”


Balanced Lug Cat-Ketch Rig: “A cat ketch balanced lug rig allows you to have a large sail area with a low centre of effort, yet is quicker to rig and much simpler to work with than, say, a yawl rig. With careful attention to the set of the sails and using plenty of downhaul tension you can get a balanced lug to point fairly close to a good sloop rig. Downwind both bal- anced lug sails set very well and the performance is amazing. Also, balanced lug sails have low sheet tensions and a very gentle gybe. Having the option of the extra central mast step to allow you to sail without the mizzen is nice. It allows easier sailing in strong wind conditions. In one extreme situation I ended up sailing with just my reefed mizzen set on the main mast in the centre position. I was very glad I had that option available to me. Another advantage of the cat ketch rig is that both sails can be reefed safely from within the boat. I have been troubled at times watching people with a yawl rig hanging dangerously off the stern of their boats trying to douse their mizzens.”


Sprit-Rigged Cat-Ketch: “I like that the sprits act as both outhauls and vangs. I also like that my rig is unstayed—very forgiving in a 17-foot open boat. It’s a great and versatile rig for reaching and running. Te cat-ketch rig’s sails are also very easy to balance, so as to need very little helm. Basically you trim the main and follow by trimming the mizzen to balance the rudder. In moderate conditions one can steer by using the mizzen sheet alone.”


Gunter Yawl: “I sail a Welsford Navigator yawl with a Gunter rigged main, roller furled jib and mizzen. Te three relatively small sails are easier to manage than one or two larger sails. Te two relatively short masts are easier to step and store than longer masts, and provide a mast-free open cockpit. Te yawl rig also provides an adjustable balanced helm under all conditions. My Gunter rigged main has a nearly vertical gaff which mimics the shape and windward performance of a Bermudan main without requiring a tall mast and heavy keel. Unlike a Bermudan rig, reefing the Gunter rig also shortens the mast, reducing weight aloſt.”


Sloop: “Tey go to weather better. Period.” Another respon- dent said, “Sloops are best due to overall drive produced.” Similarly, another owner conceded the rig might not be the best for cruising, “…but I like how the boat sails.”


Gaff-Rigged Schooner: “Great for older sailors. Sails are of manageable size for boat length (27-feet in our case), easily reefed and changed from a stable platform. Adequate pointing ability.”


Lateen: “Gives the best performance with the least trouble SMALL CRAFT ADVISOR


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