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Rigging and sails

This boat used the rig off of a Solcat 18' catamaran. Pretty much like a Hobie 16's. Fully battened sails, rotating aluminum mast. I made a series of drawings showing possible configurations of bowsprit and shrouds. I think I ended up with 3rd version shown below, but also the ability to hoist a larger headsail, all the way to the top of the mast. So is that a fractional cutter?


With bowsprit, forestay to top of mast, all backstays to 2/3 of the way up the mast.


With bowsprit, forestay and all backstays to 2/3 of the way up the mast.


With bowsprit, forestay to top of mast, 2 backstays to 2/3 of the way up the mast, 2 backstays to top of mast.


No bowsprit, forestay and all backstays to 2/3 of the way up the mast.

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Before I learned the "right" way to step masts, I used my garage roof with a windsurfing mast to do it. Scary, but it worked.

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Mast up and in the driveway.

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There are 2 pairs backstays, one pair attached to a higher up hound on the mast, and the other attaches to a lower one. There are no spreaders on the mast so it needs some reinforcement with extra stays. The bottoms of the backstays attach to bridles that run from the aka to the horizontal aluminum tube near the stern.

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Where the backstays join to the bridle.

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Close up of the bridle. The lower wire between the aka and the rear tube is for triangulating the framework so it doesn't flex.

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Control ropes for the foil deployment visible here. Also the jib sheet tracks.

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Dyneema line used for tensioning.


Sails rigged with larger headsail on a roller furling at the bowsprit. Never actually used that sail.