On 8/16/2013 05:50, Steve Cottrell wrote:
On 15/8/13, Ann Sanfedele, discombobulated, unleashed:
Your gaffers are more picturesque :-)
Thanks Anne. The term gaffers in this context refers to a type of
sailing rig commonly used up until the 20th century. The 'gaff' is a
wooden spar (pole) that holds the top side of a four-sided sail. Hence
'gaff-rigged'.
Most modern sailing boats have a mainsail that is triangular and is
correctly referred to as a Bermudian rig.
The advantage of the gaff mainsail is more sail area = more thrust. The
advantage of the Bermudian mainsail is the ability to sail slightly
closer to the wind. Eg - a boat can sail 'upwind' to the tune of about
45 degrees. The gaff rig sails a couple of points more off the wind (say
about 50 degrees).
Here endeth the lesson ;-)
the land lubber thanketh
ann
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