Well, that ship 'Lynx' doesn't have particularly steeply raked masts, but anyway.
Most of the reasons quoted for steep mast rake have merit, and all have stemmed from some particular need. You hear ones like : to increase luff length for upwind sailing (perhaps at some time it was really thought this would help) ; to make loading of cargo onto deck easier with halyards (ok, maybe on some boats, but not really...) ;to make gybing easier on the boat and rig (boom has to lift its own weight as it crashes across the center line onto the new lee side) ; and many more...
Locally, the reason given is that a steeply raked mast can be held in place with less shrouds, as runners or back-stays are not needed because of the broad angle the 'cap' shrouds make with the mast, and the fact the mast can't go forward without lifting higher, which it cant because of the shrouds.
Now we achieve a similar end result with steeply swept spreaders, which allow the mast to stand straight (which is actually proven better for all points of sailing) without aft lead shrouds such as runners or back-stays.
thats my 2 cents...
I sure miss the puzzlers Brion.....
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Brian Duff
BVI Yacht Sales, Tortola
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