Tacking a Square-Rigged Vessel

I'm sure that this subject has come up in a number of subject threads before, but I did not find one titled to that subject on this forum? I did find this one over on another forum,..
Maneuverability of Square-Rigged Vessels ? - Cruisers & Sailing Forums https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f90/maneuverability-of-square-rigged-vessels-67469.html

Why am I interested? I was so enthralled with the Maltese Falcon project, I decided to see what I could dream up for a catamaran with that same sort of rig,..
DynaRig Perspective Sketch https://www.runningtideyachts.com/dynarig/DynaRig_Perspective.php

There still remained the big problem, ....how, or can, this rig be tacked, rather than wearing ship?
I think I have solved that problem.

 

This particular posting in that other subject thread hints at some of the solutions that help.

 

It just so happens I was a little concerned about that free standing mast on a big cat with slender hulls,..prone to pitching motions. I found a way to provide some extra security by including a backstay and a forestay,...that would NOT interfere with the rotating yards.

 

I was hoping I could revisit some of the videos and other links i made to Maltese Falcon over here,..BUT our glory est internet has screwed with them,...many not available

| Perini Navi | 88M | "-Maltese Falcon" | 2006/23 | | Page 13 - Perini Navi Yacht | YachtForums: We Know Big Boats! https://www.yachtforums.com/threads/perini-navi-88m-maltese-falcon-2006-23.2487/page-13

I did get this particular video to work,...a ship with a combo of fore-aft headsails and square sails

 

...from that yachtforums discussion....

 

The review I read about the Maltese Falcon said they turned on the engines and powered through the tacks.

 

I can well imagine that since she already has those big props and shafts she is dragging around. But I don't imagine it would be kosher in something like the St Barts race/regatta.

I want to see if i can get that dyna-rigged cat to perform an actual tack thru the wind.

 

Beautiful Photos of Maltese Falcon

I had forgotten this subject thread,...with wonderful images of MF
3 pages, Review: Perini Navi 289' Clipper Yacht "Maltese Falcon" - Perini Navi Yacht | YachtForums: We Know Big Boats! https://www.yachtforums.com/review/perini-navi-289-clipper-yacht-maltese-falcon.13488/

 

Brian, have you read the book "Handling the Modern Sailing Vessel", by Sean Hackett? It is a well written treatise published to help pass along a sophisticated understanding of something not many have experience with these days: operating square-sail/traditionally-rigged vessels. I recently discovered this (available on Amazon) and found it to be very helpful. The author draws from historical literature and personal experience and although short, the book is fully of helpful diagrams and descriptions. I would recommend it to anyone interested in this thread topic. Some excerpts below:

"An overarching principle in all sailing is to RETARD THE CRAFT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. This means the elimination of all rough actions in working the rudder and sails. Sailing ship lore is replete with procedures for tacking and wearing ships which can appear to call for some extravagant working of sails to impart turning moments to the ship: letting sheets fly, over-trimming or backing sails, throwing down the helm, and so on. The intemperate application of these measures by today's tall ship sailors has overtones of strong-arming the ship rather than sailing it. An over trimmed sail delivers less drive force, not more; sails are to be held aback for the least time possible (unless it is desired to heave-to), and avoided altogether if conditions permit. Dana observes that in good wind and flat water even a fully rigged ship can coast through stays in tacking without starting a sheet or brace and "Haul off all!" once the ships head is five points off the wind. Luce observes that a schooner ought to be able to do likewise as a matter of course, excepting if the vessel is a dull sailer out of trim, perhaps though not having the most suitable sails set. In sailing there is no accelerator to call upon. Our only control lies in not allowing speed to drop below optimum by rough or inattentive handling."
​

and

"Lest any impression be gained that there is a set procedure with only one or two possible techniques for handling each sail it should be pointed out that the infinite combinations of wind strength and sea state suggest a continuum of techniques through the ranges, so the sailor should remember to be guided by 'feel': cultivating a sense for the strength and steadiness of the wind, the motion and energy in the vessel, rate of turn and so on; and thus be guided in working sails at the most suitable rates. In a strong, steady wind it is likely that a well trimmed and canvassed vessel will shoot through a tack without need for any easing of headsails. In this case, the main trim emphasis will likely be to rim up the mainsail smartly to keep it filled and driving until the vessel is head to wind and jibs come aback, and see that it is eased just as smartly and does not fully fill until the head sails are drawing on the new tack."

Your Dynarig cat is a tricky problem. At first glance, the rig and hull types seem unsuited to each other, at least in their respective evolution of development (two different schools of thought). Also difficult because what might be suitable for some conditions might not translate to higher wind speeds, etc. I'm interested to see where your problem solving takes you here. It's a fascinating idea.

Best
JW
​

 

Excellent posting JW, I'll have to see if i can get a copy of that book.

Meanwhile I just found this older discussion I had posted long ago that speaks to some of the pointing capabilities of MF
Square Rig pointing - questions https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/square-rig-pointing-questions.5991/

I use to be able to access that weatherlysquareriggers site, but now its not working ...

 

Ah-ha, here is one video I was looking for,..
look at how they can get those square sails around,...then use those headsails to point

Only the first part of the video is important here, and particularly here where they point out allowing the square sails to be braced at 20 degrees


A moderate rearrangement of the mainmast standing rigging enables the yards to be braced to half the traditional angle when on the wind, giving the ship unusual windward ability for a square rigger.

 

This is even a better, more detailed explanation of getting square riggers to point higher up into the wind,

Improving the sailing qualities of square rigged ships https://philipgoode.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/squareriggedships/

Now we have a much better chance to get them tacking thru the wind. And the Dynarig can already be braced much closer to the wind.

 

Since I have a primary interest in the capabilities of the Dynarig, I find this posting about Maltese Falcon

 

I read this review, which was interesting, BUT I do not see any references in his work that says he explores the 'modern square rigged Dynarig'?
https://www.amazon.com/Handling-Modern-Sailing-Vessel-authorities/dp/B09LGW5C9T

Do you know if he touched on this rig design at all, or the Maltese Falcon?

The staying of the 'free-standing' Dynarig changes everything,....in that you can rig those square sails into a much more weatherly arrangement

 

The Maltese Falcon can tack without engine power in all but light winds. However I would note that having three masts might be an advantage: as she passes head to wind the main and mizzen sails are blanketed by those on the foremast, so she presents less sail to be backwinded.