Sailboat Rigs Articles

We’re talking about reefing – a foreign concept for some, a tried and failed practice for others – either way it’s an important skill for real sailors. Read More >

Captain Dan Ryder of Sail Channel Islands shares a story with ASA about the importance of keeping your boat rigging in good shape. Captain Dan Ryder is one of our featured Instructors, you can read all about him here.   https://asa.com/news/2019/03/25/dan-ryder-sail-channel-islands/ We had a bit of drama the other day when we picked up a distress call while we were Read More >

The Hunter Vision 32 is a production boat built in the late 80s that stepped outside the norm with its free-standing mast. Read More >

Although wingsails have risen to the limelight with the America’s Cup now employing the technology across the board, they are in no way a brand new concept. Read More >

By definition, a schooner is a sailboat with at least two masts, with the forward mast (foremast) being a bit shorter than the main mast. Read More >

A cat rig sailboat has a single mast situated well forward, near the bow, which carries a large single sail and has no standing rigging. Read More >

A gaff rig employs a spar on the top of the sail and typically other sails can be set in conjunction with that mainsail with the gaff. Read More >

Like, the ketch a yawl is equipped with two masts, a main and a mizzen, but ordinarily on a yawl, the mast is smaller and set behind the rudder post. This, therefore, beckons the question: is this an efficient and practical rig? Read More >

Ketch rigs hold a special place in many a cruising sailor’s heart. They are two masted rigs with a main mast and a (smaller) mizzenmast – they carry a jib just like a sloop. Read More >