Re: Shrouds & Bendy Rigs

Bill Combs (ttursine@gnt.net)
Thu, 20 May 1999 20:07:46 -0500

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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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OK, Judy, now that my opinions are out, it's time to learn something.
I've never had the opportunity to experiment with a "bendy" rig, so
I'm curious about the nature and magnitude of the effect. Your talk of
1"-2" changes implies a powerful cause/effect relationship.

In the absence of an adjustable backstay, changes in sail flatness and
draft position (to accommodate wind ferocity) are made by adjusting
halyard, outhaul, and sheet tension -- and maybe the vang if one sails
sans traveler. My question is: does creating a concavity in the luff
by bending the masthead sternward offer an additional capability or is
it just an alternate, easier way to adapt to increasing winds? More
simply: are the results _significantly_ different/better or just more
easily achieved?

Regards,

Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net