[Brian Duff]

The wording topsail sheets was entirely intentional, and they are very effective tools for controlling the gaff when sailing.

I started sailing gaffers on boats with no topsails, and we carried just one vang, this worked well, even on boats with very find sterns. They were not used so much to control twist ON the breeze, as when off the breeze. It also served very well to keep the gaff from resting on the leeward lower shrouds when sailing deep, and leveraging the jaws to breakage (of course for this rig we are talking saddles, but the loads will still build as the gaff tries to bend over the lower shrouds) , allowing the boom to be eased much further than with no vang. Later, sailing boats rigged for gaff topsails, i learned to just use the topsail sheet as a vang, and also as a good tool to control the gaff end when lowering the sail. It occurs to me now that having two topsail sheets one each side would allow both the use of the 'vang' even with topsail set, and also the ability to both vang and preventer on the gaff in particularly demanding situations. This gear needn't be left rigged all the time, as some passages are done with out the intention to sail deep, some in decidedly heavy conditions, and others where every control will be needed, along with every sail, to get there fast and safe. The twist of the sail up wind is controled like Brion mentioned, through design and weight, sail design and also peak halyard tension , and sheet lead.

I thought the idea of using bronze only for the lower deadeyes and nowhere else a bit odd, when aluminum provides most of the benefits of bronze at a lower cost and weight, correct?

reducing weight on a boat make a load of sense, anywhere you can do it. Maybe aluminum and titanium can make for more beer capacity?

Why buy the wrong stuff when for the same basic cost or just a little more you can buy the right stuff?

Or you could just use Garhauer, Profurl and Z-spar..... and have a boat just like the one next door, the one that never goes out sailing...