A "duster" for Tattoo & Possible Yawl Rig . .
Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 4:19 pmAbout 50 years ago I was fascinated with Solcum's Sailing Alone Around the World. A few days ago I picked up my old copy -- just couldn't put it down. More fun the 2nd time! I saw a picture of the Spray with her "port duster" on page 171. Reminded me of Tattoo in hers. Tattoo may not sail "Around the World," but she's at home on the Chesapeake.
I'm considering Tattoo as a yawl. Shown is my present concept. John has provided helpful comments. I would fabricate new gaff and boom just for the yawl. And of course, a mizzen mast and sprit boom. The main mast would only need its track extended a bit. John suggested a standing lug for the mizzen. The triangular mizzen sail may not look so pretty with a gaff main'sl, but with a "sprit" boom it requires one less spar and may be more easily furled by just rolling its leech and foot up against its mast. It's my plan to keep both rigs. If I much prefer one over the other, then I'd consider selling [the sail and spars not used]. Forum members are invited to offer their own ideas and suggestions on the subject.
Captian Solcum converted his Spray from a sloop rig to a yawl. The Spray is a much bigger boat than PocketShip, but his conversion was quite successful. Both of Spray's rigs would "self-steer" with the helm "lashed." Other sailors made much of that, but the Captian thought it nothing special -- commenting that maybe other sailors hadn't much tried [to do it] with their own rigs. My Tattoo will "self-steer" in a steady wind and wave action if I don't change the crew weight distribution. I'm hoping that Tattoo will behave well as a yawl. I've always liked that look for a sail boat. If I do it, that will be another mimic of Slocum's Spray.
- I didn't know that my "canopy" was called a "duster" until seeing this picture of the Spray.
- Tattoo & Spray 1st in dusters.jpg (92.02 KiB) Viewed 3170 times
I'm considering Tattoo as a yawl. Shown is my present concept. John has provided helpful comments. I would fabricate new gaff and boom just for the yawl. And of course, a mizzen mast and sprit boom. The main mast would only need its track extended a bit. John suggested a standing lug for the mizzen. The triangular mizzen sail may not look so pretty with a gaff main'sl, but with a "sprit" boom it requires one less spar and may be more easily furled by just rolling its leech and foot up against its mast. It's my plan to keep both rigs. If I much prefer one over the other, then I'd consider selling [the sail and spars not used]. Forum members are invited to offer their own ideas and suggestions on the subject.
- Conceptual sketch. Details still under consideration.
- Tattoo in yawl rig.jpg (69.46 KiB) Viewed 2962 times
Captian Solcum converted his Spray from a sloop rig to a yawl. The Spray is a much bigger boat than PocketShip, but his conversion was quite successful. Both of Spray's rigs would "self-steer" with the helm "lashed." Other sailors made much of that, but the Captian thought it nothing special -- commenting that maybe other sailors hadn't much tried [to do it] with their own rigs. My Tattoo will "self-steer" in a steady wind and wave action if I don't change the crew weight distribution. I'm hoping that Tattoo will behave well as a yawl. I've always liked that look for a sail boat. If I do it, that will be another mimic of Slocum's Spray.
- Captian Solcum made Spray a yawl about halfway into his voyage.
- Spray sloop to yawl.jpg (53.95 KiB) Viewed 2994 times