pure cosmetics

[Chad]

I have a cutter-ketch rigged boat. classic looking boat. I was wondering if it would be possible to change the mizzen sail from a normal sloop triangal sail, to a schooner style sail. I dont know much about schooners. Does anyone know if this is possible for me to do? how much it might cost? might there been any preformance benifits? would it look really weird? I thought about maby changing the main to a schooner style too, but it should be much cheap to try the mizzen first, and that way I could also get a taste for it before I go and try to switch up the main.

[SailDesign]

Before answering - by a "schooner-type sail" do you mean a gaff-rigged sail?

[SeaDrive]

This seems unlikely to work out well. A lot of other things would have to be changed to accomodate the change in from a triangular to 4-sided mizzen. 1) The center of area will probably be farther aft, increasing weather helm. 2) The hardware for a gaff (4-sided sail) is probably not compatible with your mizzen mast. If a yacht designer drew a new rig of the type you want, it would have different masts in different places.

As to changes in performance, it is hard to say. It might be worse on the wind and better off the wind. The fact that you would be changing from a new style to an older style suggests that you would be unlikely to get a clear inprovement.

SeaDrive

[cgorton]

Further agreement- It is not uncommon to see a classic ketch with a gaff mains'l and a marconi mizzen, but the other way around would be out of place. Schooners with maraconi mains and gaff fores'ls are common, too.
I love gaff sails, but you are unlikely to gain performance except for off the wind, when you really want the sail area farther forward (to drag you along). As in, big heads'ls.
Gaffs add weight aloft (undesirable), and do utilize less common (more expensive) hardware. But, a gaff sail is a fun thing to play around with and looks great (on the right boat).

Craig

[Chad]

Sounds like it would be far more trouble, and more money then what it is worth. maybe someday. Thanks for youe advice and help.

Chad