Mast aft rig

[AleX`G]

Would there be any point in using an aft mast setup on a model. Id try it just because its different but would there be any advantages

 

[messabout]

Phil Bolger did a mast aft design some time ago. Not sure what he called the boat...Canard maybe. His boat is typical Bolger, it is boxy but he has managed to make it look sexy nonetheless. I believe one or more of the boats have been built. A little digging might turn up an owner who has real world experience with this idea.

 

[brian eiland]

Defending My Contributions to the Mast Aft Subject

I was looking back thru the forum and ran across this subject thread that I either had not noticed before, or maybe I just thought I would let it go along on its course and then enter some defenses to the discussions...so here goes

...Also, the bloke states, that there is less windage, but how can that be, there's still three sails, still a mast, there's even a boom (although windsurfer-like)?

One thing, though, I really like the looks of it, strange as that may seem.

Thanks for the compliment on the looks.

I think if you look back at my website and my postings on this subject, you will NOT find that I have claimed "less windage"

...the spreaders will also have to be heavy because of the luff tension of the mizzen.

Don't know that I understand this comment? Are you speaking of the conventional spreaders or my aft facing 'jumper strut'. Certainly it will have to have some beef under the luff tension of the mizzen

I'm not interested in the three-sail plan, just the efficiency of a genoa on its own, with the mast set well aft to resolve any CE problems. Kind of like a catboat without the mast getting in the way or the air flow.

Check this mast aft design out in my gallery of photos:
http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/7043/cat/500/ppuser/399

Advantages of the mast-aft rig
(cribbed from one of the sites above)

8) – can be operated single-handed without leaving the cockpit. All the sails self-tack. The genoa and jib need to be tacked over past the forestays, which can be done quickly with roller furling from the cockpit.

I never said "all sails self-tack"

What I did say, "One single person could sail this fairly large rig from anchor up to anchor down. All the sails roller-furl, and the mainstaysail and the mizzen both can self-tack. Only the genoa needs to be tacked over, and this could be delayed until the boat has come about. Even motorsailer folks should appreciate this rig."

..Even No.10 is suspect, especially the gybing part. I would imagine the accidental gybe with a socking great genoa out there would be just as bad, being wrong-sided and all.

I might first dispute the "socking great genoa". In reality it is not that big, only equivalent to maybe a 110%. And many a boat has run downwind wing-and-wing with a big genoa and no problems.

5,6,7,
Schooner rig has same advantage.

8,
Quote:
The genoa and jib need to be tacked over past the forestays, which can be done quickly with roller furling from the cockpit.

Did you ever try this yourself? If so you must have noticed it takes quite some effort.

My conclusion: If you are looking for a rig with all the advantages you mentioned consider a schooner with free-standing rotating wing masts.

But a schooner rig has TWO mast.

As I've said previously I did not claim both headsails needed to brought over past headstays...in fact only the genoa: "the mainstaysail and the mizzen both can self-tack. Only the genoa needs to be tacked over, and this could be delayed until the boat has come about."

A freestanding schooner is a good prospect. Look up Eric Sponberg's

Phil Bolger did a mast aft design some time ago

I will be adding some of Bolger's info and dwgs to the other discussion on this subject at AftMast http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=623.

And you might visit this discussion of Wishbone Masts, A Mast, Bi-Pod Mast
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1999