: I don't quite understand if you are building it or are thinking of building
: it? Keep us informed at any rate. The 4-piece stackable 14-foot aluminum
: mast copied after Mark Balogh's is one solution for transporting a mast
: inside a car. We are supposed to have decent weather tomorrow and so I
: will try more tests on the sails and boat using a GPS to check efficiency.
: In the mean time I have been trying to figure out a (crab-claw sail below)
: and rigging for my boat but so far it's got me whipped. It seems a
: crab-craw sail is really meant for a Proa and instead of coming about to
: switch directions you slide the sail from the bow to stern, that are two
: ended and built the same as two bows.
: Good luck on your project.

: John

Hi John,
For a tacking crab-claw rig, rather than shunting, set the foot of the mast much more forward. The toe of the sail is still ahead of the mast but it can be hauled back behind the mast so the sail switches sides of the mast. Similar to a dipping lug rig. It would also let you change the aspect of the rig easier, pulling the foot back for a more vertical rig, letting it out for a lower rig.

If the mast and rig are set up carefully, the center of pressure on the sail doesn't move fore and aft very much, a leeboard would work for that balance shift.

Hope this helps,
Mike Savage
South West Cork