Morgan, I have heard this also, but I believe it depends on the unique
characteristics of the boat/mast. Fireball a C&C 35 Mk 2 has taken some
pretty powerful unintentional jibes and spinnaker unloading and loading
while racing. The 35 Mk2 really has a telephone pole for a mast and in
these cases do not think the mainsail helps but also adds to the
problem. In a jibe it is also unloading as it passes centerline, then
loads with all the pressure being offset to a side but fwd on the mast.
A very jarring/shuddering experience. Never have I turned around to see
what the psi on the backstay reads, too concerned to steering the boat
under the sails.
For newer boats with fractional, lightweight/bendable mast this axiom
may very well could be true.
My $0.02.
Don Kern
Fireball C&C35 Mk2
Bristol, RI
On 3/18/2019 4:18 PM, Morgan Ellis via CnC-List wrote:
I would love to hear Mr. Ball chime in on this thread, if possible,
from a mast design point of view. I have been told by a very
experienced offshore sailor and the instructor of Offshore Sea
Survival courses, that the masts are designed to have a mainsail
hoisted and are not stable or properly supported without it. The
instructor stated that if you were to drop the main because of high
winds that you should be hoisting a storm sail in its place, if for no
other reason than to support the mast. Since then the only time I will
run on jib alone is in light air drifting around the harbour for an
evening pleasure cruise.
Regards,
Morgan Ellis
s/v Meandher
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