Reefable Crabclaw?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Alex.A, Mar 15, 2010.

  1. Alex.A
    Joined: Feb 2010
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    Alex.A Senior Member

    Could a crabclaw work if made like the top sections of a junk sail? Reefable panels - 2 to 3? Could be flat like a lateen or vee'd like traditional crabclaw?
    Rogallo wing and hang-gliders come to mind... would allow sail to bend off to spill wind too.
     
  2. messabout
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    messabout Senior Member

    You could surely rig some sort of reefing for the crab claw.Another possibilty would be to roll part of the sail onto one of the spars. Why would you opt for a crab claw in the first place?
     
  3. Alex.A
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    Alex.A Senior Member

    Like out of the box thinking. If we all did the same thing, wouldn't life be boring?
     
  4. marshmat
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    marshmat Senior Member

    Rolling or slab-reefing it onto one of the spars would seem to make sense- simple and probably effective. I'm not sure how you'd do junk-style reefable panels without an extra spar or batten of some kind in there, but I'd love to see someone try.... the crab claw has this crude and primitive reputation about it, despite being a remarkably efficient sail.
     
  5. luckystrike
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    luckystrike Power Kraut

    Rollimg could not be an option as you have to substract a triangular piece of sail. Normal reefing onto the lower boom will go. You will need just one reefing line.

    I personally don't like the crabclaw as the booms are so dammed long and the adjusting to the different windangles is difficult. The balanced lug sail will do a better job.

    Grrreetings from the North Sea Coast, Michel
     
  6. Alex.A
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    Alex.A Senior Member

    This is why i thought of battenned like a junk top - more strength in ties for reefing rather than just rolling and tying? If a sheet added to it , it'd also add more control to shape? In effect though, you'd have 2 crabclaws side by side- how would making them narrower affect the lift created, which is one of the main plusses of the rig? Other main gains being lower c of g and shorter mast etc etc.
     
  7. Angélique
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    Angélique aka Angel (only by name)


  8. Alex.A
    Joined: Feb 2010
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    Alex.A Senior Member

    Love the boat.
    Wouldn't use A frame - 2 booms only on small boat and a short mast on bigger.
    A frame chafe? Also am trying for bi rig......
     
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