rig on stambaugh's mist

[CK 17]

I'm considering the Mist(Stambaugh's) as my next project. I'm considering changing the rig to a marconi sloop. Are these rigs easly changed? I would be trailering the boat an using it for weekend trips around the n.e. coast. Am I better off keeping it the way it is?

Joe Schena

[WWheeler]

Joe:

I've just been looking at the Mist design as well. However, far from wanting to change the rig, I thought that one of the attractions of this design is that the gaff rig allows for a lower mast -- easier to raise/lower, and easier to trailer (because it's shorter). I own a Y-flyer with a 24' mast, and rigging is an hour-long job, if you're in good shape.

Do you have the plans? Do they include building instructions, or do you have to get another book. WB says that the skill level is intermediate to advanced, but the construction method is plywood over frame, which I wouldn't have to thought to be advanced. I'm hoping that there's less epoxy involved, even if it's somewhat more demanding. Comments from MIST builders? (BTW Stambaugh doesn't list the design on his web site, why is that?)

[ 09-23-2002, 12:03 PM: Message edited by: WWheeler ]

[Wayne Jeffers]

I bought the study plans for Mist a little while back.

It shows an alternative rig, which is either a Bermudan sloop or a Gunter sloop, but the drawing is about the size of a quarter and there's little meaningful explanation of anything on the study plans, so it's hard to tell which.

You might call or e-mail Karl Stambaugh and get the information you're wanting.

Wayne

[CK 17]

I was considering changing the rig from purely a performance stand point.

Your response is exactly the info I was looking for. Designers chose rigs for a reason and it does seem logical that the one given would be easier to set up.

I don't think I'm willing to spend an hour setting up for more performance.

I haven't yet bought the plans so I don't know what it includes.

I am currently building the riverside dingy that's been in the last three issues of WB. I have the frames on the strongback and beveled. I getting ready to steam the keel.

I figure if i can plank that I can build the mist, but I only have a strip built kayak and a 1/10 of a dingy under my belt. I'm going one board at a time.

Joe Schena

[Meerkat]

Performance standpoint? You mean you want to go downwind slower and have to reduce sail area sooner due to the higher heeling forces of a bermuda rig? :D A gaff rig doesn't point that much lower then a bermuda rig!

Another point is that bermuda rigs exert higher stresses on rig and hull, so if not designed for it...

Unless you're looking for the screaming edge of performance, a gaff rig is less expensive, generally performs better and looks far prettier then a bermuda IMO.

[WWheeler]

I've sent an e-mail to Karl, asking about Mist:

Karl:

I've recently seen the plans for "Mist" on the Wooden Boat Store. It suits the requirement for my wife and myself to go weekend cruising around the island of Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. (Shallow draft, trailerable, small cabin).

However, I noticed that you don't have on it your web site. I've not seen pictures of it "as built", or heard from anyone who's built it. Do you have any references or names that you could give me? Or, could you suggest an alternative design. (I thought of Mist, because I think the "Trailer Sailer 24" may be a bit too big for my requirements.)

Also, the WB store lists the skills requirements as "intermediate to advanced". I would consider myself to be a beginner only, but I'm not really keen to build anything that big in stitch and glue.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks for your help,

Will Wheeler

[NormMessinger]

Didn't the long lost Karen K say here once that the difficulty level given for the various plans had more to do with the time to build rather than the skill required?

Have you looked at Sam Devlin's designs? ( www.devlinboat.com (http://www.devlinboat.com) ) Perhaps http://www.devlinboat.com/dcwinterwrenll.htm would compete favorably with Mist, though it is a little smaller.

--Norm

[Shalfleet]

Keeping the existing rig may be the best option but you might be able to gain performance and maintain convenience by using a folding/sliding gunter rig. These seem to be preferred by Iain Oughtred and offer near Bermudian performance with several advantages including being easy to trailer and better to handle in a blow. By peaking the yard near the mast the sail is almost a triangle like a Bermuda rig and will point well (so they say!) A picture of said rig can be found here:
http://www.duckflatwoodenboats.com/dfwbphp/pictureDISPLAY.php?ID=142

[Jack Heinlen]

I've got a Drascombe Lugger, which has a gunter rigged main, and I'm really suprised more small, trailered boats aren't rigged this way. I recently sailed a gaff sloop of similar sized rig, and the time it took to set up...Oi. Now I'm not that familiar with gaff rig, and maybe the owner of the boat wasn't either. All the running rigging had to be rove, sails bent, etc. In the gunter on my Drascombe all the running rigging stays in place. The "gaff" is lowered, the sail stopped, three stays undone, and the mast pulled. Takes about five minutes, up or down, compared to say thirty(with practice) for the gaff. It also has a roller on the jib; another revelation for this application.

The gunter is also very practical under sail. The "gaff" is essentially contained by its jaws and parrels so it doesn't come alive when you go to shorten sail. Get in trouble, in a sudden squall, and there is one line to loose and the main is down and easily contained. The single halyard means less potential confusion or tangle, and the weight of the "gaff" means the sail comes DOWN. No twists in the rigging(something not all that uncommon, methinks, on a trailered boat) to contemplate as the squall closes in, and no sail slides to stick, ala Mr. Marconi's namesake.

Windward performance? The gunter, well cut, is purported to be close to the Marconi, but if you are really worried about it get a jazzed up racing boat and start doing sit ups.

All rigs are compromises. I think the gunter is an excellent one. In addition to the above mentioned qualities, the spars store inside the boat. That said, I don't know the gaff rig very well. It has just seemed a bit of an affect to me, on such a small boat intended for frequent trailering. Looks cool, ya know, and it will go better off the wind than most other rigs, but... I could be wrong...happens all the time.

Best,

Jack

[ 09-23-2002, 11:19 PM: Message edited by: Jack Heinlen ]

[WWheeler]

I also sail a Mirror dinghy with a sliding gunter rig. Yes, I've found it really easy and practical. The gaff is more or less of one piece with the mast, which I believe is a plus in light airs, where a true gaff might swing.

Norm: Thanks for the tip about level of difficulty in WB plans. I've looked at Devlin's designs (bought the book etc). His small sailboats (Winter Wren, Nancy's China) are quite practical, and I'm sure quite seaworthy, but they just seem to lack character. Also, I think Winter Wren is keel boat. Also, they're stitch and glue, which I think is a major downside.

Isn't there anyone out there who's built a Mist? Stambaugh's Redwing cruiser is quite popular - Mist is quite similar in look, a sailboat version if you will.

[ 09-24-2002, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: WWheeler ]