Fisherman's Sail & Topsail

[dw8928]

I have a traditional gaff rigged schooner along with a topsail, fisherman, and asymetric spinnaker. I am trying to determine the proper methods of attaching the topsail, fisherman and asymetric spinnaker. I have two lizards (not sure how they fit into the equation). Anyone know where a reference is to show detail of how these are rigged.

[Ian McColgin]

I wish I knew. I think John Leather's book "The Gaff Rig" gives a couple of different ways to rig a topsail. The two major divisons - rigs that set from gaff and topmast v. use of jack spars that go up and down attached to the sail - have within them many variations, much of which depend more on size. Similarly the fisherman can be set in various ways but if you have a gaff fore, then the main issue is how you get over the peak halyard and lower triatic stay. Some boats go with looping the sheets over the triatic and something clever about the tack, but most double end the peak halyard to drop and set on either side of the triadic, often leaving the luff alone to lay against the foresail on one tack.

Compared to these, the asymetric spinnaker is kind of obvious and, I take it, you're free of the psychosis of a gollywobbler.

I'm looking forward to someone having a reference to the great variety in schooner rigging. I've had to evolve by observation of others, hoping that how the parts seemed to fit was right, and praying that my improvizations would not cause too much amusement along the waterfront.

G'luck

[Don Z.]

... I only had guesses, but if Ian doesn't know, perhaps my guesses are worth something.

All my references are 9 time zones away, so I can't check, but:

Tom Cunliffe's Hand, Reef, and Steer goes into great depth on gaff rigs, and I know he has a couple of pages on the schooner. I believe the fisherman is covered, but as I said, it's too far to check.

Also, you'd have to check, but there are many detailed drawings in Howard I. Chappelle's The American Fishing Schooner. There may be some helpful things there.