Re: gunter rig

Gordon (hlg@pacbell.net)
Tue, 24 Nov 1998 23:43:08 -0800


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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>> The higher cost of the wooden spars used on HMS Marine's Potters from 1966
>> through the early 70s was apparently a factor in the decision to change to
>> the more modern-looking Marconi rig with aluminum mast and boom.
>
>So, why didn't they go with an aluminum gunter rig then?
>
>Bill B.
>P-18 #454 "Dream Catcher"
>Nampa, ID

Jerry's post indicates I was apparently wrong about cost being a factor. I
jumped to that conclusion because HMS Marine's brochures for the gunter rig
stated, "The remarkable (and costlier) Gunter rig allows the mast to be
lowered in seconds right from the cockpit."

I agree that the aluminum mast and boom might be more appealing to new
buyers because of its familiarity, simplicity, and "more modern" look. It
is easier to rig, lighter, aerodynamically cleaner, and faster in light air
than the gunter rig, and was better suited to the larger sail that was
added later with the Mk II. (The gunter rig can accept the Mk II sail, but
then the sail is not as easy to raise and lower because of the full-length
batten.) But, using the smaller sail, I can lower and raise the main more
quickly and surely with the gunter rig. Another advantage, seldom used, is
that the gunter rig allows passing under some low bridges by dipping the
gunter yard.

I'm using my lateen rig now because it is easier to rig (and sail) than the
gunter rig, and I'm pleased with the performance. Also it retains the
gunter rig's advantage of having the sail bent to a spar that can be
lowered quickly. It does the gunter one better in that easing the main or
lowering it releases essentially all the wind load since there is no jib.
And with no stays, the sheet can be released to stream the sail even
straight forward if necessary, although I haven't had occasion to do that.
I haven't added reefing yet, but Larry Brown wrote that it worked well on
his lateen rigged Potter. The lateen mast is even shorter than the stubby
mast of the gunter rig. With the mast up but lateen yard lowered, I motored
under all the Alameda drawbridges without opening any of them.

I suppose an aluminum gunter rig could have been made and would have been
cheaper than the wood but would not have looked as nice. I believe the
Mirror Dinghy uses an aluminum gunter rig. The Mirror and gunter rigs in
general are more popular in the UK than in the US, and magazine writers in
the UK expressed disappointment that Martin Pook's wooden Potters did not
have a gunter rig.

Harry Gordon
P14 #234, Manatee
Mountain View, CA