1. The Basics About Sailing Rigs
A sailing rig is the equipment used to arrange the sails, spars and masts on a sailboat. There are many different types of sailing rigs but they can all be divided into two categories: the square rig and the fore and aft rig. The fore and aft rig has sails that lie on the same plane as the boats aft and fore line. The square rig has sails that are rigged across (athwart) the boat. Each category has different types of rigs.
2. A Closer Look at the Fore and Aft Rigs
These types of sailing rigs usually need only a small crew to man. Fore and aft rigs are also sometimes called schooner rigs. They tend to be more maneuverable and can handle changing winds very effectively. Fore and aft rigs that have been used throughout history and even today include the sloop (currently popular for yachts), the ketch (also used for yachts beginning in the 20th century), the grand fishing schooner, the two masted fishing schooner, the coastal schooner (rarely more than 100 tons), and the square topsail schooner which was a combination of fore and aft rigs and square rigs. The square topsail was popular during North American coastal trading in the 1800s.
3. Understanding the Square Rig
Throughout history, the square rig was usually used on offshore sailboats that made long ocean voyages. This is because this type of rig allows the sailor to easily take advantage of a variety of wind patterns. They're great when used in the direction of the wind, but tend to have poorer performance when attempting to gain ground upwind. This sail became obsolete in fleet ships in the early 20th century when steam and steel took over. Square rigs can still be seen on recreational sailboats.
4. The Rig Most Often Seen in Drawings
There's a triangle shaped rig that's most often seen in drawings and simple sketches of boats. This triangular sail is set behind the mast and is called a Bermuda rig. The Bermuda sail often has additional sails attached to the mast. It's performance can be improved in strong winds by tilting the mast backwards.
5. Choosing a Sailing Rig
With so many sailing rigs available, it might seem like the choices are endless. But the type of rig you choose depends largely on the size of the boat, the desired layout and the biggest sail size you can easily and comfortably. For general cruising, the ketch or schooner is usually a good choice.
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