What Is this Rig Like ?

[Johnathon123]

As some would know I am in the perpetual hunt for a boat

Found this one with a great hull and layout for us but the rig????

What is the theory, does it work, Could you change it to a Ketch?

FREEDOM CUSTOM KETCH 39 boat details - BoatPoint Australia

[hummingway]

I believe that's what they call a "cat ketch". Nice boat.

[2ndstar]

The Cat Ketch rig is a great rig for shorthanded sailing and basically lazy sailors. It may not be as close winded as some sloops, but will excel on a reach. Tacks and gybes are as simple as turning the wheel. There is not much room in front of the main mast to add a jib to convert it into a ketch, but it's probably possible and will improve the windward abilities. Maintenance is also simplified as there is no standing rigging.

The Cat ketch rig was originally used in small working boats since it's simple and easily handled. In the 80's, there were a few manufacturers that started making cat ketchs, unfortunately, they didn't catch on as they were too different.

They are very good cruising boats and you can get good deals as the rig scares many buyers off.

Regards,
Carl

[hummingway]

Not that it can't be done but wouldn't you have to move the fore mast back to make a ketch? I would think adding a sprit and jib would screw with the balance of the rig.

[daddle]

Change a Ron Holland design? That's rather bold. That right there is a fine rig. Far more modern and useful than the ketch rig that has seen it's day...

[Johnathon123]

I certainly meant no offence to Ron!

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by daddle

Change a Ron Holland design? That's rather bold. That right there is a fine rig. Far more modern and useful than the ketch rig that has seen it's day...

+1 Great boat

[nv5l]

Is this the same as what Richard Henderson describes as a Luna rig?

[Maren]

Originally Posted by Johnathon123

Could you change it to a Ketch?

Just back a sec to the practically of changing a rig. In this case, the masts are freestanding with no wires to hold them up. But that means they are buried into the boat and braced there. OK, so you could cut things flush with deck and fill it in. Now the question is where you move things to and just how you do it.

So say you want go with a deck stepped mast -- what is going to support the force acting downward? Normally this is a bulkhead. So the places you could do this are fairly limited.

Here is a general rule of thumb: Naval architects, particularly ones with good reputations, usually do a good job on key points of a boat -- if not all points. So if you see a boat and think it would be perfect if just one or two key points were different, just keep searching.

[chris07732]

Also, look into the age of the masts, what is Freedom's latest recommendations on expected life of the masts. While the boat doesn't have standing rigging, it faces similar cautions in terms of fatigue of the standing components.

[zoombats]

A Freedom, Ron Holland design and built by Pearson? What's to change. After sailing a freedom, unstayed cat ketch rig, anything else is like kissing your sister.

[JayH]

Originally Posted by nv5l

Is this the same as what Richard Henderson describes as a Luna rig?

A Luna rig is the opposite. Each mast has a headsail, but no mains.

[READY2GO]

A+ boat don't try changing the rigging. After one sail, you will wonder why all boats aren't rigged as such.

[boatman61]

Don't change it..... at the moment its perfect....

[hglad]

Subject boat is a Freedom 39 Express Cat Ketch. We own a Freedom 39 Pilot House Cat Schooner. Our motivation for purchasing this boat were it's light, spacious interior, and ease of handling for an older couple. She is a wonderful sailor on all points off the wind and makes up for any speed/pointing deficiency due to the ease of tacking. Just throw the wheel over and go. No more shouting at the crew to get the jib pulled through at the exact moment.

Crew stress compared to our previous Nordic 40 is minimal and our cruising speeds are pretty comparable.

As for the carbon fibered masts I'd be willing to bet there are, on a percentage basis, far fewer rig failures than with conventional rigs. The caveat would should one go it would cost a small fortune to get it replaced.

My 2 cents worth.

Hglad