Later I built a slightly different version for a 27' Tipairua double canoe. Rather than using the curved battens which were difficult to furl after lowering the sail, I used a gunter arrangement to support the upper section. This has been successfully in use for the past eighteen years. | |
What an interesting rig! I love the way it looks. It appears the gunter style rig can be reefed?
ReplyDeleteYes it can be reefed.
DeleteWith the wide staying base of the deck outriggers on the original Tahitian designs, in stronger winds the crew would be able to stall the rig by easing sheets yet the sails (actually early wings) would not flap or distort nor foul the spread apart stays. Running off in high winds and seas would be more difficult however, maybe the crew sheeted sails amidships, stalled them with the supported leeches facing the astern wind? The helm would have to be accurate in keeping dead downwind course?
DeleteI've loved that 27 footer ever since seeing it in a photo in Tim Anderson's "Ulua trip" blog.
ReplyDelete