Gaff Conversion

[windchaser360]

Thanks for the input. I already have the books Riggers Apprentice, Hand, Reef and Steer and the Gaff Rig Handbook. I actually just got them to start the research, that's how I ended up on this site.

I actually have two of these boats and parts of a third. One new wooden main mast and an older wooden mizzen, two aluminum masts, booms and sails that replaced the originals on one boat. Three sets of standing rigging. In other words I pretty much have one boat to go sailing on and the other to play with. We are attempting to revitalize our downtown waterfront and these boats are part of the effort to pay homage to our maritime heritage. I was hoping to convert to a more historical rig. Even replacing the winches and using blocks, etc.

I'll proceed with caution, most of the work will be done by myself and interested parties in the area. I'll seek the advise of a NA to get the proper size of spars before I get too deep into this.

[Brian Duff]

If you are thinking that you can use all of those parts from similar boats, then rig it as it was inteneded. You will probably not find any of those parts will work for a gaff rig.

If you have a municipality backing up the project, hire someone to do this for you ?

[windchaser360]

No, I'm not looking to use the existing stuff for the project boat. I would use some of it to get one on the water so I can go sailing while I'm experimenting with the other. We would build from scratch. We are a small town and there would be no money from the city so I'll have to go it alone $ wise. Lots of volunteer labor though.

I'm still in the planning stages and trying to determine what would be involved. I understand that all the spars would need to be sized for larger sail area and the rig. Rigging (standing and running) would need to be reconfigured as well.

My main concern in the early stages is if the design of the hull would benefit from the change, or at least not suffer from it, without reconfiguring decks etc. In other words is the CE close to what it needs to be or would the deck and mast steps need to be repositioned.

So before I get to far I'll have a NA do the math for me and see where it leads.

[Brian Duff]

you can easily do the math for CE and learn about how hull shape affects that , to determine if the change is worthwhile, by reading through 'Yacht Designing and Planning' and skenes.

Probably would be a great change and the boat will make a stiking image along your waterfront!

[windchaser360]

I'll look in to the book and see what I can make of it. If all goes well and it looks doable I'll attempt to document and publish on the web.

There is another great project going on here in Washington to build a replica of Edward Teach's sloop "Adventure" and the NC maritime museum is considering a replica of the "Queen Anne's Revenge" to be built in Beaufort as part of a new Pirate Exhibit. Hopefully I can contribute to some of these projects as well....

Michael