Unstayed masts

[chandler]

I know Brian thinks unstayed masts take all the challenge out of rigging. Anyone else think they are a good idea and interested in trading ideas

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
Take the challenge out of rigging? Far from it, unstayed masts are just one end of the mast spectrum, and a misnamed end at that. See, the weather side of the mast IS the standing rigging, and, at least with carbon fiber, can be "tuned" during manufacture. And this can be taken to the next step, with semi-stayed masts, where mast and rigging can interact in unprecedented ways, for greater efficiency than would be available otherwise.
At the moment, designers are still feeling their way, racers are still breaking the bright ideas, and new materials are continuing to generate variables, so the unstayed rigs in production now are really only hints of what might come. And they still have running rigging, so I can at least satisfy my splicing jones.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

Hello;

I have been doing sone reading on the unstayed way. Seems to make a lot of sense to me. Less chance of a boom breaking in two during an uncontolled gybe as the boom can continue forward to spill the wind rather than risking a dismast when your boom takes out your rear lower, or worse. The added working room on deck is a definite plus for me as well.

We sail a 62' Jim Whyte design Ferrocenemt and we are thinking about going that route, just for those reasons. And I'm just starting todelve further into this "new way" of doing things.

I also rebuild and build sailboats. Recently a client has asked me for a 38' unstayed, bilge keeled yacht for the canals and ease of use on voyages etc. He has in mind a Roberts 388 or similar (raised saloon/pilothouse) and also wants an "unstayed" rig. Any suggestions as to a design to use that is already suited to this technology?

Thanks.
John: Willms
Private Yacht Construction
LAdysmith, BC

[Russ L]

Hi all,
Modern unstayed masts (of the composite variety) are best considered at the design stage and by an owner with deep pockets.
A conversion, likely undertaken directly by the owner or with help, on a modest budget, must carefully weigh the pros & cons. Common boat designs usually do not have the necessary beam stability in the bows to acccomodate a single unstayed mast. So right away you must consider a split rig, most likely ketch or schooner type. You must also consider upgrading cabin/deck structures as the load at the partners will be significantly higher. If you are unprejudiced and do not require the windward abilities that most skippers expect then the junk is probably highest on the list to consider. It is a good cruising rig and can be the least expensive of all rig & sail systems.
For the canal boat, I believe the unstayed rig is less desirable than a deck-stepped split rig. For the simple fact of being able to raise and lower the masts, of a deck-stepped, without shoreside facilities. (An unstayed mast must be keel stepped.)
A few simple practices can eliminate the devastation of an uncontrolled gybe. End boom sheeting, use of a preventor and do not sail directly down-wind (at night especially) with inattentive or inexperienced crew. At night, broad reach in the trades because a squall can arrive unexpectedly (harder to see) so you can accomplish instant sail reduction by easing the main, sailing off the wind some more and blanket the jib in the lee of the main. The preventer is still rigged such that a standing gybe, if it occurs, is caught and can become a controlled gybe.
Good thread guys, cheers
Russ L

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area we have Mr. Tom Wylie, who designs the wyliecat line of (unstayed mast) sailboats. His website is: http://www.wyliecat.com/ and I'm not trying to shill for his boats but he has designed some very impressive vessels and I've built running rigging for one of them (Bruce Schwab's Ocean Planet, and open 60 class sloop). His designs and/or his expertise would be a great place to start looking for information - the boats are out there and sailing well.