Sails and Rigging

Because of headroom constraints I have previously been unable to raise the mast, but now since moving the boat outside and after much anticipation, the time has come. The standing rig is simple, comprising of a fore-stay and two shrouds which I have had made up to Francois drawing. Raising the mast was easy and quick, with one lifting from a position standing in the cockpit and another pulling forward on the fore-stay. Only small adjustments were required to get the whole assembly set firm and true. Now she really looks like a sailing boat.

In addition to the mainsail, the sail plan gives the option of two jib sizes and a balloon jib cut as an asymmetric spinnaker. Initially I have decided to have the larger of the jibs made but thought that perhaps have the spinnaker made at a later date. I chose a local recommended sail-maker of many year’s experience. Throughout this blog I have endeavoured to be completely open and honest regarding thought process and construction decisions. Regretfully I have to report that following my discussions regarding the making of the sails, I allowed myself to be convinced  by the sail-maker to deviate from the plan and use a modern sail cloth instead of the recommended ‘clipper canvas’. I now fear that I may have made a mistake, perhaps after the passage of time this regret may prove to be unfounded, either way I will inform of how I eventually feel about this and their performance. The sail-maker also made the berth cushions at the same time.

The mainsail laid out in the sail loft

There is a surprising amount of work in making up halyards, sheets, reefing pennants etc. plus the fitting out of hardware. During one calm day, I hoisted the sails to enable me to iron out any problems and improve the rig before hitting the water, this proved to be an exciting moment. I have gone for the option of a furling jib using a traditional Wykeham- Martin furler which runs beautifully. When hoisted I noticed that the fore-stay did not run parallel to the jib luff narrowing towards the head. Whilst this did not interfere with the jib when furling, I decided to rectify this detail by designing a shaped hardwood spacer block fitted to the fore face of the mast head, just below where the fore-stay loop pulls against the cleat on the aft face of the mast. 

When raising the mast from horizontal, there was a tendency for the top loop of the fore-stay to jump from its locating cleat on the aft face before hoisting tension could be applied, I therefore solved this by designing and making a stainless steel retaining cap to hold the loop into the shaped profile groove of the spacer block, this has negligible visual effect and has proved to be an effective solution.

The mast head spacer block showing the stainless steel retaining cap

Preparing to raise the mainsail for the first time

For some time I mulled over the problem of how to transport the mast, spars and sails to minimise the set up time for regular launching. I arrived at the conclusion that all rigging should remain fixed to the mast and secured along its length using cam straps to prevent slapping and movement whilst towing, this will allow for a quick and simple erection with only three shackles to secure the shrouds and fore-stay. To support the mast horizontally on the boat, I designed and constructed a cradle which attaches to the aft face of the tabernacle by bolts and wing nuts, a gallows frame set aft on the cockpit floor supports the mast towards its head and straps hold the mast assembly securely in place. The boom and gaff remain attached to the main sail which is flaked over the boom and enclosed securely by a purpose made sail coat. This will be transported by removing the bottom panel of the companion way to allow the whole assembly to span between the cabin and the cockpit. The jib is simply furled and stowed in a purpose made bag. At the end of the season I will remove the sails and stow away for the winter folded into sail bags. I have also constructed a gallows frame to provide support when attaching the boom goose neck to the mast band.

I began this blog by giving a brief outline of my background and introduced my father who instilled in us the pleasure of boating. During the Second World War he served in the RAF for four years in Egypt and during his down time as a detraction from the carnage being undertaken at that time, he sailed his small wooden boat by the name of Bunty. I had always intended to call this boat by the same name and had initially referred to it as Bunty II; however I never really connected with the idea of using a two after the name. During a stroll on a local beach at low tide, I noticed a boat called Sheila B and immediately had a light bulb moment and thought that’s it, assuming my dad’s boat as Bunty A, I will call mine Bunty B, a much nicer name with the added attraction of tripping of the tongue.