actually - the western rig is better
suited to a proa then a one way boat - because the grove the sail
is attached to -
is athwardships on the leeside of your sail - so you have no
turbulence where it counts - no need for a turning mast !
I know - I know - you say it takes a rig
- that is balanced - easy to change with ........
lets take a look at what really happens !
you are on a tack now - you leave the
jib where it was - you loosen the main - pull it towards the wind
-
the boat stopps - and because it has the ce drastically in the
back from both sails - it turns sharply into the wind -
you wind up the now rear jib + pull open the other - you have
changed direction fast + direct !
I can tack up a channel to the marina
any day with it -
and with the multi mast rigs now - I don't even have to use the
jibs -
because I leave the last a little more open - the first a little
thighter -
you have an aero rig on your proa now -
going on one tack - you want to change -
you control the rig to go to the other side -your boat stopps -
and starts moving the other way -
exactly !!! where you are coming
from -
you use your ruders ? in making a turn - but because the boat is
not moving fast it will be a wide circle -
eventually you make the turn - but you are yards below from the
boat with the western rig !
and for that you spend all your money
for all those expensive parts for your aero rig ?
you are having a lot higher ce ! - and most of all that boom
there - oh god - wanting to do you in .........
you are now on a boat with a for&aft
symetrical chinese rig -
you are again on one tack - changing the sail to make the boat to
go the other way -
again because it is balanced only your ruders ? will turn it
around -
again the boat will end up yards below the boat with the western
rig !
and how to you handle your sail in a
storm ? - ( I am using a
"leesail" just in light conditions )
and if you want to go on standby - to see what is going on ? -
mob - anchoring ?
lets go back to ourer western rig -
you can have the mastsail go all the way to the deck + the jibs -
so the aspect ratio will be double -
the ce will be low - your rig will be lower for a given sail area
-
nothing to move it all - except the tubes where your jib are on -
simple - easy - inexpensive - reliable - safe ! what more to you want ?
oh - yeh - you can pull your main not
down & back - with a sheet - but towards the wind like on
square riggers -
with a line from the batten about 2/3 back on the sail and have a
lot less to pull on .........