Swingrig

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Michel
Posts: 546
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 5:48 am
Location: Zaanstad, the Netherlands, EU

Swingrig

Post by Michel »

Here's an interesting development of the Freedom and Sponberg freestanding rigs: the Swingrig. The rorating mast is pre-bent in such a way that part of the sail extends forward of the leadline on the mast. Hard to explain; have a look here: http://www.swingrig.nl/ or for the non-Dutch speaking folk: http://www.swingrig.nl/artikel%20yachting.htm

A catketch with two of these trees would be nice.....
Michel Capel, Freedom 44 #4 1981 'Alabama Queen', NED8188, cat ketch with wishbones, home port Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, 52*42.238'N 005*18.154'E.

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GeoffSchultz
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Re: Swingrig

Post by GeoffSchultz »

Very interesting, but it sounds complex. It will be interesting to see how it does in real life.

There was one phrase that I didn't understand:
The mast rotates like a normal wingmast, but the control of the mast spanner has been replaced with a hydraulic ram.
What's a mast spanner?

-- Geoff
BlueJacket
1997 Freedom 40/40
http://www.GeoffSchultz.org

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Michel
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Location: Zaanstad, the Netherlands, EU

Re: Swingrig

Post by Michel »

Mast spanner is not a Dutch term; I don't know what it means. But what it means that the angle of the mast towards the wind is set with a hydraulic cylinder between mast and boom, the cylinder being alongside the boom and connected to a fixed lever/arm on the side of the mast. Thus the angle between mast and boom is set and the boom turns the mast in its bearings. It's fairly straightforward, much like Sponberg did on Project Amazon. Only he did not use the boom to turn the mast in the right angle towards the wind. Actually I can't find how he turned the mast towards the wind.
Michel Capel, Freedom 44 #4 1981 'Alabama Queen', NED8188, cat ketch with wishbones, home port Enkhuizen, the Netherlands, 52*42.238'N 005*18.154'E.

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GeoffSchultz
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Re: Swingrig

Post by GeoffSchultz »

I assumed that was what it is. I'm also guessing is that it's similar to the British term which means wrench.

-- Geoff
BlueJacket
1997 Freedom 40/40
http://www.GeoffSchultz.org

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