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Junk rig explained
Junk rig explained | Junk rig explained |
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An inefficient rig for eccentrics - or a seamanlike alternative? So what sort of boat is Joleta? Well, she's a Salty Dog, but since she was fitted out to our requirements she was junk rigged from day one. It involved moving the mast further forward but that was about all; bulkheads on either side ofthe keel stepped mast provided the necessary structural strength, while the old flattened area on top of the coachroof - which was where the mast should have been - proved the ideal location for a ventilator. The cost of the mast - a specially tapered two part aluminium spar from Needlespar - was marginally more expensive but we made savings on the rest of the rig. We chose alloy because it gave us a mast which was half the diameter of a wooden one, and, of course, significantly lighter than a solid spar. We've no shrouds, which gives our decks an uncluttered feel, and is one less thing to go wrong. Trevor made the battens (hollow wooden spars) and the sail himself, which meant big savings; we also got exactly what we wanted. There are numerous sail shapes to choose from, but we opted for a shape similar to that devised by Hasler and McLeod, but with the mast further back on the sail. The idea was to provide a clearer air flow over the luff of the sail. Early troubles Joleta was launched in 1981, since when we've sailed thousands of miles in her, taking her to Greece and the Adriatic on her own keels, as well as cruising extensively around France and the UK. We've also sailed her in bad weather and rough seas and have only had a couple of problems with the rig. The first occurred off southern Italy when the top section of the mast rotated, winding up the halyards which prevented us from reefmg. We got over it by sailing the boat round the mast. The source of the trouble was a failed glue joint. With the help of another British yacht, we took the mast out and reglued the two sections together. Since then, we've had no further problems. The other difficulty was entirely ofour own making. We were running up one of the narrow rivers (26ft wide, we subsequently discovered) in the Norfolk Broads, and instead of gybing at one of the bends, just let the sail out a little further. At the next bend we did the same... and the next... Intimately we got the sail so far by the lee that it jammed. We ended up stuck across the river, causing a major hold- up as we sorted ourselves out. It was highly embarrassing. Since then we've taken care not to repeat the mistake. Sailing junkies All the controls for the sail are led back to the cockpit, so we've no need to go onto the foredeck except for anchoring, or berthing. Hoisting the sail is straightforward using one halyard and a winch. The winch isn't essential, but it makes hoisting the last two panels easier. Two other lines (parrels) are then pulled in to hold the battens into the mast and adjust the amount of overlapping sail. To reef, we simply release the main halyard by the required amount. The two parrels are then refastened. When the wind decreases, we shake out the reef by releasing the parrels and hoisting up the sail, then re-acljusting the parrels. Lowering sail is almost instantaneous, and gives us greater control of our speed when manoeuvring in confmed quarters. We're certainly not afraid of entering a harbour under sail, and before moving to a marina berth, regularly picking up our mooring that way. It really does make her extremely easy to handle. These days, one of us must always look after the children (especially in rough weather) leaving the other to sail the boat - so a simple rig is a boon. With ajunk, night sailing is also less of a trial, because the watch below can remain truly off duty; it's so easy to handle on your own. Rigged for reefing We now have two mainsheets - one controlling the top, the other controlling the lower part of the sail - which allow us to fme tune the shape, particularly when reefing. The mainsheets are led to jamming cleats on the pushpit, so there's no traveller across the cockpit. An uncontrolled gybe is extremely rare with our rig since the sail is stable even when sailing by the lee. Our mast has a noticeable forward rake and the weight of the battens and sail holds the sail out even when running in light airs. When we want to gybe we pull in the mainsheets until the sail is over the cockpit, then gradually let the sheets out until the sail is on the opposite side. The reason we avoid letting the sail come over on its own is to prevent yards of string sweeping across the cockpit. Total sail area is 400sq ft, which is more than the combined sail area of the main and genoa on the Bermudan rigged version. Because of the shape, a lot of the area is carried high up where it's most efficient. Having just the one sail makes short tacking up a river or narrow channel ajoy. You've no need to tack a jib as well, and possibly end up in irons (or the reeds). Having sailed up numerous rivers with reedbanks or woods on either side, we've found that the greater sail area high up is a huge advantage. Sailing downwind or reaching we leave other boats of comparable size standing. Going to windward in light winds the rig is arguably less efficient than Bermudan, but we can beat effectively to windward, particularly in stronger winds when the flat sail comes into its own. It's important not to oversheet the sail when beating to windward. It must make an angle of no less than 30° to the fore and aft line of the boat. Sheet it in further and it stalls. In fact this is how we heave to: we lower one panel and haul it in tight, and she slowly fore-reaches, making enough leeway to leave a smooth slick to windward. In the early years, it was difficult to resist the temptation to oversheet. Reaching or beating to windward Joleta never heels as much as comparable Bermudan rigged boats, and rarely beyond 15°. She rolls a bit on the run, but I imagine the Bermudan rigged options probably would as well. Unlike a Bermudan rigged boat, we can sail by the lee when running, by letting the sail out more (as long as we don't overdo it!). We still have the original sail, and although it's faded and has a few small holes, caused by chafe between the battens and mast, the sail is still strong enough not to cause us any worries. All the strain is taken by the battens, and not the cloth. The sail isn't shaped as such, so you don't get the strains inherent with a shaped and 'tailored' Bermudan sail. We only have the one sail, which is kept permanently rigged, but is of course furled and covered when not in use. There's no need to stow bulky or wet sails down below. This gives us more room for carrying essentials such as toys and bikes! Flexible friend Joleta's mast is unstayed, when you first see the mast swaying back and forth it can be somewhat alarming, but you soon get used to it. Since the mast is keel stepped, we have to be careful to ensure that water can't get in at deck level. Climbing to the top of the mast to check fittings or the navigation lights is best avoided, but not impossible. Trevor fmds it nerveracking; if he moves his hand and spanner one way, the mast promptly responds by bending in the opposite direction! Designing a junk rig for any boat isn't difficult, and can either be done by the amateur or by a professional yacht designer. Making the rig is straightforward too. The materials are easily available and relatively inexpensive. Similarly, the lack oftailoring means that it's an exceptionally easy sail to make. A number of improved versions of the junk rig have been developed since Joleta was built. However, the simplicity of Joleta's rig has proved itself at sea over many miles, so there are few changes we would make even if we were to start again. Joleta's rig turns heads wherever we go, and occasionally we've had people change course to have a closer look. There's a lot of curiosity but unfortunately few seem to be prepared to give it a try. Junks are considered to be slower than their Bermudan rigged sisters - largely because production junk-rigged boats are often undercanvassed, and owners are guilty of oversheeting when sailing to windward. |
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