Staysails on cat ketchs & cat schooners

Post Reply
User avatar
Teke's Pride
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:56 am
Location: Lake Guntersville, AL
Contact:

Staysails on cat ketchs & cat schooners

Post by Teke's Pride »

I'm looking to move up from my F21 in the next 3-5 years to a liveaboard double masted Freedom. I also plan to club race her on the weekends. So, I have a few racing related questions concerning the mizzen staysail...

Do any of you use the staysail while racing?
Can the staysail be used for reaching or is it strictly a down wind sail?
Does the staysail place you in the spinnaker fleet?
How does the staysail effect your PHRF rating?
Clark Myers
Teke's Pride
F21 #345

Black Finn
F40 AC CK #41

Browns Creek Sailing Association
Guntersville, AL
http://www.youtube.com/LambdaZetaTeke

ketch22
Posts: 45
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2008 5:06 pm
Contact:

Re: Staysails on cat ketchs & cat schooners

Post by ketch22 »

I own Freedom Express Ketch 22, hull # 22. If you follow this link ( http://www.ketch-22.com/ ) you'll find an image of Ketch 22 sailing in SF Bay with her staysail flying.

I used the staysail in the Pacific Cup race (SF to Kaneohe Bay) in 2004. In the F39, you can't tack the main without dropping the staysail. Thus the staysail is most effective in long reaches (beam to broad). I estimate that under the right conditions, it adds maybe 1/2 knot to boat speed.

Not sure about the spinnaker class. I raced under PHRF rules to Hawaii and I don't remember being in a spinnaker class or being penalized as a result of using the staysail - but it was a long time ago... Since then, I've been cruising and use the staysail when appropriate.

tm

User avatar
Teke's Pride
Posts: 219
Joined: Fri Nov 20, 2009 2:56 am
Location: Lake Guntersville, AL
Contact:

Re: Staysails on cat ketchs & cat schooners

Post by Teke's Pride »

Thanks, TM. Some nice photos on the link! I like the 39 express ketch and pilothouse schooner but with their > 5' draft, I've pretty much eliminated them from my list of future homes, as I live on a Tennessee River lake. When I get around to buying it will be a 33 or 40 with a keel centerboard hull.
Clark Myers
Teke's Pride
F21 #345

Black Finn
F40 AC CK #41

Browns Creek Sailing Association
Guntersville, AL
http://www.youtube.com/LambdaZetaTeke

Post Reply