Handling a Gaff Rig
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- I've received lots of questions about handling a gaff rig, enough to make a separate video on the subject. This video turned out to be much harder to make than I thought, between the awkward camera angles and trying to explain what I'm doing at the same time! I have new respect for the pros when it comes to this ...
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We want more in-depth gaff handling, this is awesome!
th-cam.com/video/K4eHPFtKId4/w-d-xo.html
Totally agree! This has been SUPER helpful! Keep up the good work!
Great video Kevin. And some gaff rig pros and cons well presented. Single handed skipper on a gaffer well be well muscled,
nimble of foot and saltier on an order of magnitude than his bermuda counterpart . Keep these videos coming, please.
Max respect Kevin. That is indeed quite labor intensive, but as you imply -- a Bermuda rig will never be as cool. I'm going to try to get myself invited aboard one for an outing. Thanks for posting this.
Well if you're ever back on the Bay, consider yourself invited!
Many thanks Kevin. Likewise, if you ever want to come this way to work on your French, I'd be delighted to take you out --- I promise to turn the engine off once clear of the channel!
Negative on that--you're going to be filming docking under sail ha ha ...
We all recognize Kevin, that you are a man who likes to live dangerously. :-)
I picked up my first gaffer last spring and out of the six boats I own she's the most fun and fastest. She goes like stink and is even faster than my Cygnus 20.
This is a great video. Looks like it was released just weeks after I had it all figured out. lol
Agreed!!! Nothing so cool as a gaffer sailing by!!!
Any sail is cool though.. But gaffers are the real deal.
The classic gaff rigged UK Bristol Channel pilot cutters would set out in for many miles in all weathers to find inbound ships. The crew would be two people a master/pilot and a hand - often a boy. When they found a ship the pilot would go aboard the ship and the 'boy' would bring the cutter back to port alone. These pilot cutters were big, rugged and fast vessels. I find that staggering, and it speaks volumes for the sailing skills of the day but also the adaptability of the gaff rig. Thanks for the video it was inspiring.
Thanks for putting this knowledge out there! I'm learning to sail a small gaff rig and your videos are very helpful and entertaining. I definitely agree that gaffers are just freaking cooler! Cheers from Australia!
can you do one showing the topsail and how it works in detail?
I'd like it too
I always wondered how your beautiful boat works. Now you told us and the end result is a beautiful sight. Cheers love your boat.
I know I'm late to the party but I had always wanted to know how this rig works--thanks so much for sharing! In an age of photogenic Instagram influencers making sailing videos to show off their bikinis, it's a rare pleasure to find a sailing channel that's actually about sailing!
Lovely explanation. Another advantage of an old gaffer is most harbour masters will give you the best berth in harbour or marina. I've been into French ports and they've moved modern boats off the town quay so the old gaffer can tie up along side. Makes to port look so much prettier.
Yes, and sometimes dockage rates are lower for gaffers ...
Right on - well done! I came looking for the basics of sailing a gaff rig and found exactly that thanks to your approach and style. Refreshing to listen to a sailor talk about sailing so knowledgeably and not make it about themselves or anything else. Thanks!
Yep, gaffers are just cooler. Last summer I had the joy of a week in a 1930s gaff cruiser, inland. In November I was offered a 50 year old wooden gunter rig dinghy, restored it and sail it in Lake District.
Having spent all my sailing life with bermudan rigs this video unravelled the mysteries of gaff rigs for me very nicely. Your slow explanation made everything easy to digest......many thanks
I almost groaned and stopped watching as you started naming the parts of the mainsail...then it got real interesting, real quick! A great video and I'm now subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing, glad you stayed!
As I was watching the video, I wondered about the pros/cons. Thanks for including that analysis
Thanks for stopping by..
Thanks for the great lesson!🇨🇱
Thanks for watching..
Another advantage of gaff rig is that you can, with care, reef the mainsail while sailing downwind. This means you don't need to round-up into a stiff wind and choppy sea to lower the main, you can stay pretty much on course.
I have to agree with you Gaffers are just Freckin cool!
My dad got me
Interested in the schooners of the Grand Banks and they were gaff rigged. And when you see a gaff over the horizon you know that is one cool boat! I love your traditional rig and that you shared it wit us.
Take care,
I still have vivid memories of the Shenandoah coming into Great Salt Pond (Block Island) under full sail, rounding up and dropping anchor on crowded weekends, no engine. Seeing stuff like that can change your life ...
If you ever get the chance to see "Captains Courageous " 1937 with Spencer Tracy the race at the end with the big schooner burying the Lee rail...
Man that is riveting!!
Take care,
Yes, I've seen it, I think as a Turner classic ..
lubricate with coconut oil perhaps...🥥🥥
and indeed they do look cool 🏴☠️⛵🖖
Fascinating, thank you. I want one! May try to convert my chinese junk....?
And also the gaffer looks much better when under full sail.
What a beautiful boat. Thank you so much for putting this video together
Gaff rigs have had a bad rap over the years and are very misunderstood. They have their advantages and disadvantages like any rig. Aesthetically, I feel there is no equal.
I agree, they get knocked hard for not being as efficient to windward, but then most heavily laden cruising yachts will not go well to windward regardless of the rig.
Just out of interest, the main reason for high aspect rigs is less induced drag for the same lift. Look at modern aircraft, they have very long and thin wings - mostly for efficiency.
High aspect rigs are a pain in the arse for any kind of cruising...
However, I would always prefer the simplicity of a gaff rig.
Excellent told! This is so good, a mix of videos about sailing and how-to.
Thanks m8t (as you would say)!
So true. I'm the owner of a gaff rigged Colin Archer derivative, and a holistic thinker, who is going insane looking for more than the stock standard "breasts & Bermuda rig bs" videos - seen one, seen em all. My philosophy evolved from books like Voyaging On A Small Income, Sailing The Farm (can be downloaded for free), The Sailmaker's Apprentice and Seaworthiness; The Forgotten Factor. I'm amazed...utterly shocked...at how little practical information I've found on TH-cam. What is this place...Hollywood??? Above all else I want to actually LEARN and see people learning the dying art of self-reliance. So thanks Kevin!
Brilliant video mate, super instructional
Do you have running backstays? Can you make a video or describe how to tack and jibe with them in heavy weather please? There is nothing about it on yt.
Yes, I do have running backstays. The rig, however, can stand without them, only the mast will wiggle and forestays will not be tight. A vid may be in order, particularly with jybing in strong winds--always a lively event.
I was also wondering about this.
Excellent presentation and tutorial!
Beef tallow = suet or kidney fat made into a lard.
As a land-lubbing Mainer with aspirations to sail, I've really enjoyed your videos, and have watched all that I can find. They are educational and informative. Its great to see that Hamilton Marine T-shirt too. I drive past them almost every day. Please keep the videos coming, and thank you very much!
I really want to sail on gaff cutter rigg
Hi, I have a 24ft gaffer , I have been unable to sail her for several years and am quite rusty but this video was perfect to open up the little grey cells again. Will now watch your other videos with anticipation of getting back on the water.
Many thanks
Lloyd - Cornish Crabber mk1 - 'Gilda'.
Yes, I've seen the Cornish Crabber in photos, looks like a great little boat. Fair winds for when you cast off the docklines ...
Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. I found it really informative.
reminds me of the "How are Plumbus are made" I watch this one and have no clue what your are talking about
Building a gaff rigged yawl aluminum frame for an inflatable, I decided to just raise each gaff with one lead. The leach on the main sail is only about 56" so ya it's not a large sail by any means, but there is a 1/2 size mizzen sail as well as a jib sail that's roughly in between the main and mizzen sail in surface area. I have no skill with boat building, sail construction or sailing in general, my only boating experience is limited to canoes and inflatables and total time in both collectively is about 100 hours at best, still, I'm confident in my design and staining of the wooden rudder and lee boards as well as sail construction is all that's left to do as the entire framework, rigging, jib furler and steering mechanism is FINALLY completed. ty for this tutorial. =)
This is great. There is a lack of applied, useful sailing videos.
Hi Kevin..... I agree completely and have stopped for the same reason.....oops I forgot your boat was a double ender.....beautiful but that would be one limitation...... I’m reinstalling my topping lifts and leaving my gallows alone based on your advice......Thanks very much......i sail the Maine coast between hauling traps and would very much enjoy meeting you someday......keep up the great work and enjoy yourself.....i know it’s VERY hard work but totally worth it.....cheers....Stott
Beef tallow, Amazon, $40/gallon. And food grade so handy for chicken fried steak too.
Thanks for the heads up ..
I just become custodian of a beautiful old gaff rig 26ft ketch , I’ve never sailed or sailed on a gaffer before this boat, thank you for your instructions they will be invaluable
Imprimatur? Nice.
I'm thinking.of changing mine from Bermuda to gaff. This has been very helpful thanks
I'm a newbie and thank you for your tutorial!!! I agree, Gaffers are just there with the cool factor...in the same way I am an old car junkie...in my mind, auto production ended in 1971....unless you are in the America's Cup, who wouldn't want a beautiful wooden Gaffer....I'm of the mind keep it simple stupid...and a Gaffer looks like you could fix any breakdown with some duck tape, a little binder twine and some body english
Eloquent, thoughtful analysis of gaffe rigged sailing. Man overboard in rough seas obviously not so good if you can’t swim, but in calmer seas my catboat will round up and put the brakes on pretty quick and probably start sailing back to pick me up! Look me up on Nantucket some day!
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
You can find both bison and beef tallow at Whole Foods Market, or make your own by rendering suet, which should be available from your local butcher.
Very well done video. I'm planning on retiring and buying a sail boat in the next couple of years so I'm trying to learn as much as I can about all the different types of rigs, what's your thoughts on a Junk Rig compared to a Gaff Rig and others? Thanks in advance.
This was useful in my first sailboat purchase. Ultimately gaff or sloop will not be the main factor in picking a boat but the aspect ratio relating to upwind performance was super helpful. I've crewed bigger sailboats for years and didn't know that.
Why are traditional-looking gaffer sails often red or reddish brown? Great vids by the way! You are honest and authentic...refreshing traits rarely found on TH-cam.
Thanks. Originally sails were dyed with tanbark to preserve the cotton, but nowadays done for looks ... but maybe not, several sailors, myself included, find that dyed dacron sails last longer than white ones. The theory is that the dye acts as a UV filter, and UV is the main enemy of dacron cloth.
Great video
Thanks for your video. A video on trimming a gaf rigged sailboat would be great.
I’m fairly new to sailing. This was one of the most encompassing approaches I ever seen here on the web.
Thank you so much for this information!!!
Thanks for that. I have plans for doing an update on this vid with better quality video.
. One advantage I found with a gaffer was that with the large and low mainsail there is rarely a need for a spinaker which relieves the skipper of recruiting two more hands , and the rig largely self adjusts.
Well it just seems harder with no upside? Stout seaworthy good ghoster easy to dury rig.
Love your content, actual explanations of how things work instead of just scenery shots. Many thanks.
Thanks, Kevin. I am about 2/3 through building what will be a gaff-rigged boat (22 foot lapstrake daysailer with small cuddy)...even though I have never actually seen a gaffer in person. I have found virtually nothing out there on how to sail one of these creatures. If a picture's worth a thousand words, a video is worth 100 times that. It was extremely helpful to see the topping lift in action, the raising of the gaff, and the reefing system and its components, all nicely demonstrated.
Excellent!
I really enjoyed your presentation, maybe because I do prefer a gaffer, they are well proven over time to be what you said they are, , The Grandbanks schooners are a case in point, thank you for a worthy video from Goolwa . south Australia
That was a great domo on Gaff rigging. Do you ever strap in ,since you're single handed. Getting knocked overboard would be almost certain death ,wouldn't it be ? I see you're in calm conditions now and could probably out swim your boat right now. Let me know you thoughts on that. Fair winds. It was a fun video.
I did purchase a harness but still not religious about using it. Being tethered can be a real hindrance when working deck. In any conditions the boat is hove to when reefing, so may be able to swim back. Maybe. Falling over at six knots and then pulling yourself back aboard by the tether may or may not be possible. It's best to stay on the boat..
Kevin, At least toss a line over to trail behind the boat when you go forward. 50 yards or so of 1/2 poly pro that would float on the surface, not sink. That would give you a fighting chance of snagging the line should you tumble into the briny deep. Pull the line back in when you get back to the helm area, coil it and leave it ready to toss again next time.
Im sure one guy at least, is alive because of that rope trick. Possibly dozens.
@@howtosailoceans1423 "It's best to stay on the boat" - truer words!! Got a good laugh from me!
Your gaff rig has some similarities with our Chinese lug rig. The lug rig is quite a bit easier to use. Thanks for your video. Dave & Linda M/S Olivebank
Yes, perhaps the junk rig is easier to manage, though many believe the gaff rig evolved from the lug rig as a sturdier, less labor intensive alternative. That's especially true if you want to avoid having the sail pressed up against the mast on one tack. To avoid this they would dip the lug yard behind the mast and set the sail on the lee side, but this required a good deal of work, and with large luggers, managing a sail almost as big as a tennis court that is practically set flying. As opposed to a gaffer where the luff is laced or hooped to the mast and thus much more secure.
"Gaffers are just friggin cool" nuff said. Fair winds!
Beef tallow. Buy regular ground beef, the kind with much fat. When you make hamburgers, spaghetti, tacos etc., save the grease. In no time you will have plenty.
I love what you're teaching and thank you most profusely, Sir.
✅
Nice video but I always get anoyed by an US accent. Anyway funny thing is Dutchies call, what you call the throat, the 'clauw' (claw)
Thanks for this explanation of the gaf sail. I did some sailing in the Netherlands with a flatbottum boats. These were also commecial boats for canals and sea.I was a deckhand in summertime, for the hands on work. Thanks, and be safe out there.
I saild a gaffkutter for years with great plesure. No greater fun to sail halfwind into the bay of Kiel with a topsail! Every one there thinks to bee faster than an old gaffer. They did imagine!
For the top of the topsai, l used a ligthweight aluminium bar. Its a bit triky to handle it, but I hat never problems
Appreciate the video. Loved the Crisco reference, save that far from the steak!!! Excellent!
I'm thinking of buying a small gaff-rig, so this was really useful. Thanks for your time with this
Outstanding explained so good love it. Its looks like the last an badass. What makes boat look good .
This is such a great video, thanks for explaining the pros and cons of the gaff rig, I noticed you sail solo on this video, I am planning to sail solo and wondered what size of boat would be favourable , some people tell me it would be good idea to have electric winches, but it seems like you can haul up these sails pretty easily although i guess it is down to fitness.?
A 31-foot boat (8 ton) is no problem. I would say if the boat is over 20 tons you may have some challenges sailing solo without powered winches, or a crew, especially if it is traditionally rigged, e.g. a gaffer.
The less of anything electric you have to rely on the better - the thought horrifies me, to be honest.
Wow!!! I been looking for this for a wile ..lol love it it's so easy to understand the way this works..I'm about to get a 1970..tahiti ketch..and I really have yust a few hours of experiance in this kind of rig ..love it now I don t feel over whelmed..that k you sir..
Thanks for stopping by, Henry.
@@howtosailoceans1423 thanks my man..it means a lot your comment..this been my childs dream ..nd is hard when every one you love nd care kills a boner ..bro any how I'm doing it ..I pull the trigger..have to redo the interior .on her but not an issue been around building all source of things..over 30 years..got lot to learn..ur videos are the ones teaching me how too..thank you sososossssso MUCH..!!! She's like your bout..Tahiti ketch 28/30footer..70s the Hall is dry solid..have great sails ..
A video of reefing while under sail wouLd be much appreciated.
Thank you, it is very useful! Great video!
Helps with my modeling! Thanks.
Hi, when does a gaff rig start to be called a Gunter rig? cheers, Keith.
The gaff on a Gunter rig is peaked very close to the vertical, so it's almost an extension of the mast. I do not know what the exact definition of it is, though.
So awesome thank you. Eyeing your strategy books as well 👁️
eloquence of his narrative sounds like f'n johnny cash
Awesome mate. Like your style, and love the old gaffers.
Excellent explanation and demo very helpful
I quite like roller booms for reefing, that’s an awful lot of string
Thanks very much Kevin ....I agree it’s hard to get boom into gallows in rough conditions.....my gallows are aft and yours are midship....can you discuss the difference and why you chose your location.....it looks like a good safety feature to be able grab those handholds...also where did y obtain the bronze hardware for the gallows..". Thanks so very much....Stott. Ps could you do a video on tips for handling the main topsail....thanks again
Hi Stott, the previous owner installed the gallows. I would rather have them aft, but that's kinda tough on a double-ender. I've stopped flying a topsail, just too much hassle, but it really does give you a boost in light air. General procedure is get your windvane set, then raise the topsail on the lee side of the main. Once you get the yard two-blocked at the masthead, crank down on the downhaul, then sheet it. To take it down, reverse the procedure. Watch out for squalls ...
You saved the best for last Kevin, just freakin' cool. I guess the lard doubles for cooking too. Awesome vid, thank you.
Fantastic explanations with actual demonstrations
Are there any gaff rigged circumnavigators?
Informative and interesting. Good stuff.
Would love to see how you rig and hoist a topsail
Great presentation. sailing my first Gaffer this past summer and boy is it a different experience; and I just love it. Slapping my forehead on raising the stopping lift on the wizard side to reef - Great tip! I would love to watch more performance and trimming videos if you are up for it. Also I am considering modifying my Marshall 22 sloop to either add another foresail or a topsail. I'd have to build my own rig for that, but I would be great to see some videos on that as well.
Best to you and yours.
Steve
Watching your vid I was thinking that she would be a great pocket cruiser for Florida with all the shallow water.
I'm building a boat and wanted to use some of your rigging, but I'm missing the terminology. What do you call those wooden peg cleats that your halyards are going through on the stays?
Belaying pins. The wooden rail is called the pin rail.
Thank you Mr. Boothby. I started watching your channel some months back, and have now consumed all you have posted. This video is a prime example of what I so enjoy from your episodes: a knowledgeable and well presented discussion of some aspect of sailing, with pros and cons, and some extra character throw in for good measure. Thanks for all you do!!
Thanks for watching!
? No safety harness ? 👎
Look carefully, no gloves and velcro heels, soles and toes.😂😂😂
Thank you for this really good video and presentation. Best wishes from sunny Finland and Spritsail boat owner.
You don't see too many spritsails on this side of the Atlantic... fair winds, mate!
Thanks for this primer on gaff rigs. To me it just seems you had to have a half dozen experienced sailors on board to manoevre such boats as Errol Flynn´s "Zaka". I remember my grandfather telling me a story that even Mr. Flynn´s father from Australia jumped ship after one hell of a dangerous ride from Mexico to Jamaica with six competent crewmen on board. My grandfather knew what he was talking about; at the time he skippered a sea scout boat in Greenwich...the best of the young boys were winnowed "in" to join on bigger boats from the NYYC that raced to Bermuda...those were the days!
Yes, those were the days. As far as crew size, it really depends on the size of the boat. Larger boats indeed require a lot of muscle, all gaffers require know-how.
Kevin what is your working background and how did you learn so much about gaff rigs I find amazing your vast knowledge of sailing vessels cheers
My working background is in finance--a physics student who went to the Dark Side--I found this boat in Maryland while working on a project at Freddie Mac. I grew up sailing but never in gaffers... after purchasing this boat I purchased Tom Cunliffe's book "Hand, Reef, and Steer". That and 75,000 blue water miles taught me how to handle gaffers.
@@howtosailoceans1423 WOW.....
Great video! I'm wondering if you have any thoughts, or experience with Cat boats.
No, although I'm a fan of Marshall Cats. Excellent sailing boats with shoal draft, perfect for gunkholing.
you're squinting a lot. You might've noticed there are sunglasses on your head.
Ha!
Super! Note his standing rigging not too tight a boat is not a harp! 2:1 tackle equals luff tackle. A point also worth noting is that the mast should rake aft very slightly to make this style of rig draw and balance well. On American schooners this rake was pronounced. Some English inland designs have a single topping lift th
I like the rigging a bit looser, easier on the boat so long as the mast is not actually wiggling when you sail.
A year later, here's a second question: I remember racing Beetle Cats in Buzzards Bay as a kid. On a broad reach in light wind, the boom would ride up and slog in a rolling sea. Too much wind was being spilled. Not enough downward tension. It improved things to have the crew set his weight on the boom to hold it down, or to set a preventer. The weight of an old fashioned boom might be sufficient on a boat such as yours, but that solution does not seem ideal for a smaller gaffer. Comments?
My boom is solid, and the gaff hollow. Yes, you need weight in the boom for the sail to set well. I remember those Beetle Cats, cute little things.
Joshua Slocum sailed a gaff rig, didn't he? I remember reading him having to sail around Cape Horn cause he got blown back through the straits and his boat was always leaking, imagine that in southern ocean.
He got blown back into the Magellan Straits through a passage strewn with rocks, but he made it, almost miraculously. Yes, Spray was gaff rigged.
The old way of gresing the mast was simple:) a hole was bored/drilled from top to NEAR the bottom of the mast , the subsequent hole was filled to the brim with linseed oil and closed off with a (usually) bronze screw 'washer' the leather part of the boom was slathered with tallow regularly the linseed oil would evenually permeated the wooden mast and become as they used to say 'smooth as butter' this was repeated every season, not forgetting the gold coin in the mast foot for sailin luck :) this was the standard system on all British merchant hookers up to ww2 happy sailing :)
sorry not gresing but greasing oooooh
I realize this video is from a while ago but....... I'm a 5'2" female and am looking at a ketch rig. It has a gaff mainsail and I'm concerned I won't be able to raise it. Are there ways someone like myself can raise it on my own??
Gaff rigs pre-date most labor saving devices like winches. So for you it will depend on the size of the boat. The ketch rig does cut the size of the sails down though, so that will help.