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West Wight Potter Mailing List maintainer
dfarrell@ridgecrest.ca.us
List hosted by www.tscnet.com
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Alan,
I read the same exchange on the TSBB. As usual, the devil is in the
details: If a boat designer wishes to include a permanent (as in always
up) backstay then the size and shape of the main are restricted to
something that will fit within the triangle defined by the mast,
backstay and deck. The Americas Cup boats don't have a permanent
backstay - they use a system which I believe is referred to as "running
backstays". There are two, one on each side, and at every tack or gybe
the windward one is placed under tension and the leeward one slacked.
Small sloops often dispense with a backstay by using a only a headstay
and swept-back shrouds. The Potter 15 is and example of this. the
designers are then free to increase the roach size or use a 4 sided
sail. Most catamarans are rigged in a similar manner. Their wide beam
allows the mast to get excellent support from swept back shrouds.
There is also a backstayless arrangement called the B&R rig which is
being used on many of the new Hunter yachts. This is a three stay rig
with a lot of "truss work" via tensioned cables and spreaders. I have no
experience with this setup, but the Hunter advertising claims that it
allows them to make the more easily handled mainsail the "power" sail.
Dave Kautz
P-15 #1632, Tilly Lucy
Palo Alto, Ca
Marilyn Dimson-Doyle wrote:
> I just read a few messages on "trailer sailor message board" regarding
> sail size; main versus jib. I have been wondering about this since I
> recently read in one text the author thought it was better to have a larger
> mainsail than foresail. Judy B. had recommended a book to read on the
> subject but I am overwhelmed with a stack of reading as it is. Can anyone
> give me a quick response regarding increasing mainsail size on the Potter
> and its effects?
> Thanks
> Alan
> P-19, "Molly Fay"
> East Coaster
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