what is wrong with a gaff rigged small boat?

[BATAAN]

Cool. Nice to hear from someone who's sailed one. Thames barges are one of the most highly evolved and interesting sailing craft ever.

[bryngwylan]

I sailed as mate and later skipper on several sailing barges when they were still carrying cargo back in the 1950's. Also motor barges, but that's another story.Always had a 'thing' about leeboards though. The last boat I designed and built for myself was a 43ft sharpie with leeboards and a standing lug schooner rig. That was in the 80's. Now I sail a Tideway 10 dinghy, 10ft with a standing lug.

[ancient kayaker]

Originally Posted by bean surchwell

Pygmay's w.g.w. Gardener suggested sprit or marconi.

Why have i not seen a gaff rig on one?
The sprit sail doesnt reef easily.

The marconi is too modern looking. and has extra leverage up high that a small boat could do with out.

I am partial to a gaff rigg. What am i missing?

Absolutely nothing. Depends what you are looking for. That could be performance, simplicity, ability to store mast and booms on board, heavy weather/light weather use, pass under low bridges, etc.

You probably need to refine your requirements to get the advice you need, unless it was just a discussion that you wanted.

[HELLICONIA54]

Originally Posted by bean surchwell

Pygmay's w.g.w. Gardener suggested sprit or marconi.

Why have i not seen a gaff rig on one?
The sprit sail doesnt reef easily.

The marconi is too modern looking. and has extra leverage up high that a small boat could do with out.

I am partial to a gaff rigg. What am i missing?

Ray Aldridge,uses a reefable Sprit rig on his slider.He also has a very interesting rig comparisson on his site try this link to his site and rig comparrison. http://slidercat.com/blog/wordpress/?page_id=57

[HELLICONIA54]

Originally Posted by bryngwylan

I sailed as mate and later skipper on several sailing barges when they were still carrying cargo back in the 1950's. Also motor barges, but that's another story.Always had a 'thing' about leeboards though. The last boat I designed and built for myself was a 43ft sharpie with leeboards and a standing lug schooner rig. That was in the 80's. Now I sail a Tideway 10 dinghy, 10ft with a standing lug.

Whilst canoeing on the Glenelg river at Nelson,Vic.AU We saw this very strange boat.Looks like a motor to sail conversion.What do you think of its Leeboards?Judging by its short mast it may also have been gaff rigged too.