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Sailing rigs (masts and sails) have
evolved over many centuries. Different arrangements have been tried,
with varying degrees of success. They have changed from being simply
structures with large surface areas set up to catch the wind, to more aerodynamic,
wing-like structures that generate lift. Here are some of the basic
types that use sailcloth supported by different configurations of masts,
spars, and battens. |
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spar top and bottom
loose-footed
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It seems probable that the earliest sailing vessels
used this type of rig, and they are still used to this day. The sail is
supported from the mast by one or more horizontal spars. |
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bowline
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Square-rigged sails are very effective at driving a
boat in the direction of the wind, but less successful at gaining ground
upwind. One way to improve upwind performance is to attach a bowline to
the windward edge of the sail to stabilise it. |
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Similar in arrangement to a square rig, except that
the supporting spar is asymmetrically arranged on the mast, with a
greater length behind than in front. This enables the sail to be used in
a more fore-and-aft position to give better upwind performance than the
square-rigged sail. Several variations in the cut of the windward edge
of the sail have been tried. Tacking involves moving the forward tip of
the spar and the attached sail behind the mast to the other side. |
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| The junk rig was developed in the far-east. It
is distinguished from other lug sails by the use of full-length battens
which support the sail and give it an efficient performance at most
points of sail. |
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The lateen rig was developed by Arabic sailors. The
name is probably derived from 'Latin'. It has an excellent aerodynamic
shape and performs well upwind. However, tacking is a slow process and
requires moving the spar and sail to the other side of the mast. |
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The sail is set entirely behind the mast, supported
above by a spar which extends upwards and backwards from the mast. There
may or may not be another spar at the foot of the sail. This rig is
effective at most points of sail. |
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In this rig there is a diagonal spar
supporting the top outer corner of the sail away from the mast. |
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This is a triangular sail set behind the mast and
often supported by a boom along its foot. The mast may be tilted
backwards slightly to improve the rig's performance in stronger winds.
The sail behind the mast is often supplemented by one
or more sails attached to the forestays of the mast. The picture
alongside illustrates a jib. |
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This gives rise to the popular 'bermudan sloop' rig,
with sails fore and aft of the mast. This is an efficient rig on all
points of sail. |
| The gunter rig is similar to the bermudan rig
with the exception that the mast is in two parts. The upper part is held
vertically against the top of the lower part. This arrangement is
helpful when it is necessary for the rig to be dismantled regularly and
carried on the boat. |
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This is a sail set behind the mast, like the bermudan
rig, but used without a foresail and increasingly without any stays to
support the mast. With battens and a curving trailing edge, the sail can
be highly efficient and wing-like. |
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This configuration is the one most commonly used in the
sport of sailboarding. The wishbone boom (purple) supports and tensions
the sail away from the back of the mast and also provides handholds for
the sailor. The sail shown has full battens.
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rigs