I keep coming back to these two videos of the junk rigged Micro. I've been an acolyte of The Blessed Bolger since the late 1970s, and, in the early 1980s, built a 12' Bolger Teal, which I still have, and am in the midst of restoring. I love the combination of elegant simplicity and funkiness in this particular boat. Thanks.
This fellow's sail setup is a bit crude, but I will vouch for the junk rig against just about any other for ease of handling and safety in a sudden blow. I have converted my Hartley TS16 to a junk rig and I love it. Mine is a more modern design with more airfoyle profile cut into the panels, which gives the sail more efficiency upwind. But if you are not mainly concerned with looks or hyper-efficiency, a simple flat cut style junk rig will work just fine. As for polytarp, it needs to be a reasonable weight and quality, but because the wind pressure is far less on any given sail panel you don't need hi-tech materials. The Chinese sailed around the world with woven bamboo sails.
I agree - way too much string. the polytarp also makes me a bit nervous. However, the ability to raise or reef a sail while on a run is impressive and you can kill all the drive by letting the sail come forward of the mast. I have sailed a fair bit with Martin and he is very happy to let go of the tiller and the boat takes care of itself in a most impressive way
A very practical rig for single handed sailing - if I remember correctly Blondie Hasler used a junk rig for RTW or Atlantic crossings in his steel hulled vessel? Enjoyed the film Dylan.
thanks for saying that.... but there are plenty of expensive boats that never move over here too. maybe it is just that I seek out the blokes who do sail interesting boats
I did enjoy the film, but I still think there is a bit too much string involved with the junk rig. A small gaff sail is somewhat similar in use, and can be supplemented with a topsail or traditional spinnaker in light weather, when we can play around with sheets and halliards in safety. I know the junk rigs do fantastic voyages, but I can visualise all the lines lashing around everywhere (including around each other) in a F7.
It seems the British can sail about anything, our stupid pride in America, sometimes prevents us from just getting out and enjoying life. I know lots of guys that don't take their "yachts" out much because this or that is just not up to "yacht' standards at the moment. Many of these people spend more time cleaning, than sailing the boat. This chap looks as if he could sail an outhouse if he could string the toilet paper together. Gary s/v Paladin
Selected for TheSailingChannel on the ReduxTV App for GoogleTV. Watch on GoogleTV using the free Redux TV App. Watch under Rides & Vehicles / TheSailingChannel and on the Web at redux dot com forward slash sail
A useful insight into junk rig handling and a lovely montage of small sailboats. Very enjoyable. Thanks. Keep well, stay safe and Hold Fast!
Glad you enjoyed it
I keep coming back to these two videos of the junk rigged Micro. I've been an acolyte of The Blessed Bolger since the late 1970s, and, in the early 1980s, built a 12' Bolger Teal, which I still have, and am in the midst of restoring. I love the combination of elegant simplicity and funkiness in this particular boat. Thanks.
Function over form,i love it ! well done mister.
Thanks for posting, Dylan. I'm (re)reading Roger Taylor's Simple Sailor and it's great to get a look at a junk rig up close.
How brilliant was that!
Try a bolger cartopper. Beautiful form and so very useful as a small boat. I've made two....both brilliant....both sold as folks wanted them.
This fellow's sail setup is a bit crude, but I will vouch for the junk rig against just about any other for ease of handling and safety in a sudden blow.
I have converted my Hartley TS16 to a junk rig and I love it. Mine is a more modern design with more airfoyle profile cut into the panels, which gives the sail more efficiency upwind. But if you are not mainly concerned with looks or hyper-efficiency, a simple flat cut style junk rig will work just fine.
As for polytarp, it needs to be a reasonable weight and quality, but because the wind pressure is far less on any given sail panel you don't need hi-tech materials. The Chinese sailed around the world with woven bamboo sails.
I agree - way too much string. the polytarp also makes me a bit nervous. However, the ability to raise or reef a sail while on a run is impressive and you can kill all the drive by letting the sail come forward of the mast. I have sailed a fair bit with Martin and he is very happy to let go of the tiller and the boat takes care of itself in a most impressive way
A very practical rig for single handed sailing - if I remember correctly Blondie Hasler used a junk rig for RTW or Atlantic crossings in his steel hulled vessel? Enjoyed the film Dylan.
there is another film of martin's boat on the website
thanks for saying that.... but there are plenty of expensive boats that never move over here too. maybe it is just that I seek out the blokes who do sail interesting boats
I did enjoy the film, but I still think there is a bit too much string involved with the junk rig. A small gaff sail is somewhat similar in use, and can be supplemented with a topsail or traditional spinnaker in light weather, when we can play around with sheets and halliards in safety. I know the junk rigs do fantastic voyages, but I can visualise all the lines lashing around everywhere (including around each other) in a F7.
It's all rather crude but by God he is on the water sailing which is more than I can say for myself.
Hello! What fabrick do you make the sail out of?
it is standard polytarp
try the man with the winkle brigg
It seems the British can sail about anything, our stupid pride in America, sometimes prevents us from just getting out and enjoying life. I know lots of guys that don't take their "yachts" out much because this or that is just not up to "yacht' standards at the moment. Many of these people spend more time cleaning, than sailing the boat. This chap looks as if he could sail an outhouse if he could string the toilet paper together. Gary s/v Paladin
A lot of folds in the mainsail, that's not good for a laminar flow over the surface.
I don;t think speed is of the essence
Selected for TheSailingChannel on the ReduxTV App for GoogleTV. Watch on GoogleTV using the free Redux TV App. Watch under Rides & Vehicles / TheSailingChannel and on the Web at redux dot com forward slash sail
you are dead right about the noise