Mast Loading

[kenJ]

Wind has been either little or alot lately. See alot of boats in 20+ winds sailing on roller furling head sail alone. Heard several comments around the YC that they were in danger of pulling down the mast by using the head sail alone. This doesn't make sense to me, if the standing rigging is in good shape it should support the single sail load. Am I missing something?

[bntii]

The ideal is that the mast will be forced out of column and suffer some chance of collapse. I have heard this as well and the argument makes sense for staysails with their required running backs. For a masthead rig I don't see the issue. On my boat, one of the heavy weather sail plans I use is the jib and mizzen up with the mainsail down- the "jib and jigger". Have no problems in years of sailing with this configuration. Dropping the main keeps boat upright and the crew happy. Perhaps more of an issue with light cambering spars?
The experts will know and weigh in on this.

[brian eiland]

Originally Posted by bntii

...On my boat, one of the heavy weather sail plans I use is the jib and mizzen up with the mainsail down- the "jib and jigger". Have no problems in years of sailing with this configuration. Dropping the main keeps boat upright and the crew happy.

One of the real pluses for the ketch rig, sailing under jib and mizzen

You will find a few ketch discussions here:
http://boatdesign.net/forums/showthr...p?t=623&page=7

Originally Posted by KenJ

See alot of boats in 20+ winds sailing on roller furling head sail alone. Heard several comments around the YC that they were in danger of pulling down the mast by using the head sail alone. This doesn't make sense to me, if the standing rigging is in good shape it should support the single sail load. Am I missing something?

It is hard on the rig as it is only a 'point' loading at the top of the mast verses the loading all along the mast column. But in most cases this is accounted for in the design.