Steep gaff
The steep gaff - rigging is a precursor of Bermuda or high rigging .
In contrast to the classic gaff rigging , the gaff rises steeply upwards on the steep gaff rig and thus offers the wind a longer edge to attack. Representatives of this type of rigging are z. B. Sloops from the 19th century, older H-dinghies and BM dinghies . It differs from the lugger sails in that the gaff does not protrude in front of the mast, but is attached to the mast with the claw. The classification of the steep gaff rigging is not always clear. Depending on the specific design, they are derived from the gaff rig or the Lugger rig ; in the latter case, the gaff can also be called a spar .
Steep gaff sails can be reefed , but this shifts the anchor point of the gaff boom to the main halyard and mast . If reefing has to be carried out during a trip , reefing is usually preceded by a laborious process of lowering the gaff boom and loosening and re-hitting the main halyard.
One problem with the gaff rigging was initially the excessive twisting of the cotton canvas. Built-in battens should help . This problem was only solved with the invention of the plastic sail, but the steep gaff rigging had already been replaced by the modern high rigging at that time.
Web links
- ^ E. Marino: The Sailmaker's Apprentice. International Marine, 2001, ISBN 0-07-137642-9 , pp. 46-47.
- ↑ gaffs and Their Saddles , classicmarine.co.uk, 2016th