gunter versus gaff rig

[almeyer]

I'd like to hear some comments on the advantages/disadvantages of the gunter versus the gaff rig. I'm in the dreaming stage about the next build, and I've been studying plans for Eun Mara, which shows an optional gaff sloop rig. But there's too many things I'd want to change, which can't be a good thing, so now I'm thinking that Wee Seal may be a better fit. For no rational reason at all, I'm partial to the gaff rig rather than the gunter, and I'm considering asking Iain Oughred if he'd redraw Wee Seal as a gaffer. Is this a bad idea?
Al

[Craic]

Al,
I have sailed gaffs and Gunters, and I would go with the Gunter.
Simpler to hoist and control, and with a few tricks (especially a luff-pocket in the sail for the yard) performing quite like a good Bermudan.

And then there is a unique bonus for small boats coming with a Gunter: You can 'harbourfurl' the mainsail and enjoy an uncluttered cockpit, at least during lunch-stops.

Harbourfurling is: You leave the mainsail hoisted, you just uncleat the clew and roll the sail into a vertical roll and tie it to the mast. If you have a boom, you release that from the gooseneck, tilt it up parallel to the leech, and roll that in.