AeroRig

[brian eiland]

I forgot where the other posting is to be found that referenced a large aerorig vessel being built in a famous Holland yard. I believe it was being designed by the same group that did Maltese Falcon. Anyway it disappeared from their website without any mentioning of the final result, or even the fact that the project was completed.

I just found this mention of that vessel, and some photos on another forum:

"I saw this boat in NorthWest ofSpain at the city A Coruña.It was her first trip from Huisman: Her mast 60 m. high. Enjoy this pics"


http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/65298-post22.html

[messabout]

The pictures, posted by Brian, are mind boggling in terms of monstrous size. The builders of that rig were brave. I have had some experience with rigs of that sort, both on dinghys and on models. Earl is correct that the RC model guys call it a swing rig. I have been very happy with the results with both models and 16 foot dink. Modelers are pretty adamant that this rig is best for light to moderate air only. Not sure of the reasons.

The advantages are numerous. Among those (for small boats), are that no vang is required. The jib stay holds the clew end of the main down. Of course that is at the expense of increased mast compression. A topping lift for the main allows for adjusting leech tension. The jib is self tending. Thats a pretty good thing for short handed sailing. In addition, the rig is less likely to induce weather helm when sailing off wind. The jib swings to the windward side while the main is on the lee side. The jib will then partially resist the turning moment induced by the offset center of pressure on the main. On a dead run the jib is presented directly to the wind as opposed to having to use a whisker pole on a conventional rig. I reckon that this rig would not work well with a spinnaker as the chute would be at least partially blanketed.

With all those selling points, the rig has not enjoyed popularity. Must be some disadvantages that escape me. building a rig as big as that shown in Brians pix, is too much for my tiny mind to absorb. The structural requirements for a mast bearing housing and a hull strong enough to hold it, must be seriously challenging.

[xarax]

Hello Brian,
I am thinking about ways of facilitating the sailor’s control of, and balance on, a small, light dinghy ( So the dinghy could be narrow and light ). An unstayed swing rig ( aerorig ) on a dinghy could be controlled by a rigid rod, I guess, like the rudder is controlled by the tiller, giving the dinghy s sailor some of the advantages of direct control the windsurfer has, holding the boom, of his board. Been able to control the boom easier and to concentrate more on his balance, the windsurfer can take advantage of a narrow, and lighter, hull. Has anybody ever tried something like this ?