Converting to a Junk Rig

[Chattcatdaddy]

Whats everyone thoughts on the junk rig? I know it does not go to windward as well as a marconi rig, but from what I hear the performance is no that much of a drop off. I have been doing some internet searching and found some examples of boats converted over to the junk rig and the cost is not to bad. So I`m giving some serious thought to converting whatever boat I purchase to a junk rig.

Positives:
Easy sail handling/reefing
Less standing rigging
Less costly to maintain
Cheaper sail materials
Less stress on boat.

Negatives:
Cost of conversion
Less familiar with handling sails.
Slower to windward

Anyone have any experience converting a boat over to a junk rig?
Good or bad experiences?

[CharlieJ]

I've long been a junk rig fan. I've sailed on a few and handling , is so much easier it's is amazing. Reefing in particular. Considered converting Tehani to a junk rig, but that would have ruined accommodations, so we went sloop instead

I certainly wouldn't hesitate to go with a junk rig on a boat that it would work on. And slowness to  windward is vastly overblown. A small vessel offshore isn't gonna point that high anyway!!

By the way- google Jester- that boat, and her newly built copy, have crossed the Atlantic single hand more times than I can count.

[Godot]

I like them, and back when I was considering building my next boat, I was torn between going for a gaffer or a junk.  That said, a conversion will likely be expensive and complicated and may make resale difficult, so unless you are planning on keeping the boat for a very long time, have a particular mission that the junk is uniquely suited for, or just have an overwhelming love of the rig (or an overwhelming desire to tinker with something a little different), it might not be the best choice.

On the other hand, it's all about doing what you want.

[Chattcatdaddy]

The cost of conversion is the kicker. I have been trolling around the web and came across a few boats that have been converted and no cost was listed. One particular site had pictures of how the deck was reinforced where the mast was repositioned and did not look all that complicated. The builder said he recouped a portion his cost of conversion by selling off all the rigging he no longer needed. Also from what I gathered from his conversion is that less reinforcement is required of a keel stepped mast on a junk rig vs. a  bermuda rig. I know in the short run the initial out lay of capital will be more, but in the long run it could pay off big.

[Godot]

I urge you not to use cost as a justifying reason.  You will be lying to yourself (I've done this a lot ... of course, I never learn).  If you like it, though, go for it.

[Chattcatdaddy]

Cost is an issue , but thats not why I`m considering a junk rig. I like the idea of easier sail handling and less stress on the boat as the mains reasons to consider the junk rig.

[mitiempo]

I think junk rigs have a lot going for them. See Jester. But they require more reinforcement at the deck as there are no stays and shrouds to share the loads. The deck takes almost all the load. Near where I was working last week there is a Marco Polo design (51') with a junk rig and it looked interesting. The masts were offset, one to starboard and one to port with the sails setting on the inboard sides of the masts. 

[Chattcatdaddy]

I`m going to order the book: Practical Junk Rig supposedly the bible on junk rigs and all thats involoved with a installation.

[LooseMoose]

The Hasler book is great and was a big help in a couple of junk rig projects I was involved in but a much better book in my opinion as it only covers what you need is Van Loan's "The Chinese Sailing Rig" (http://www.amazon.com/Chinese-Sailing-Rig-Design-Build/dp/0939837706?&camp=212361&linkCode=wey&tag=boatbits-20&creative=380733) which is a no-brainer no-nonsense just do it sort of approach.

You might find the work up I did for our CAL 34 into a junk schooner of interest as well...
http://boatbits.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-of-few-new-possible-rigs.html

Good luck

Bob

http://boatbits.blogspot.com/
http://fishingundersail.blogspot.com/
http://islandgourmand.blogspot.com/

[Chattcatdaddy]

I`ll have to put that book on my list also, thanks for the reference.

[wallo9]

I'm in th process of refitting a Venture 22 i can't tell you how it sails yet since it isn't finished , what i found is a lot is left up to owner as specific info is sparse.You might check out "The Junk rig" acc. or "Junkrig Forum". A great book about living aboard a JR is" Voyaging on a small income", by Annie Hill. Their are so many beautiful conventional sail boats, but the Junk rig seems to put you in another time. It would be great to see a thread just for the ancient rigs like the Lateen,or crab claw,Junk rig etc. Well good thoughts hope you carry it through. By the way you can use stays if you choose Colvin uses soft stays for security.

[SeaHusky]

Thread archeology!  ;)
When reading about junkrigs I get the idea that some hullshapes or types are better suited then others for this rig but I can't get a grasp on what it is.
Can anyone tell me which (if any) hull type is more suitable for a junk rig and why?

Wallo9, have you got round to sailing yet and how did it go?

[w00dy]

I have a good document pertaining to designing and implementing your own junk rig. PM me and I will be happy to send it to you.

I have seen a few junk rigs and also read a bit about them. I would love to own a junk rigged boat and have also thought about finding a hull suitable for conversion.
Generally, they seem ideal, but the devil is always in the details.

For instance, on one of the rigs that I inspected closely, there seemed to be problems with chafe between the mast, battens, and batten parrells. Also, I have heard that the sails will not feather well, because of the leading edge projecting forward of the pivot point (the mast), which would make it more difficult to luff up into the wind.

One of the benefits that is constantly touted is that they are simple and inexpensive rigs to fabricate. This is probably true, if you are doing all the work yourself. Several sailmakers that I have spoken to have all agreed that a chinese lug sail would be more expensive to make compared to a set of regular sails of similar sail area. Apparently they lose money when they have to spend more time sewing endless grommets onto unconventional sails that they are unaccustomed to dealing with. You'd think that any decent sailmaker would be able to handle it, no problem, but to hear them talk, they'd would rather not mess with anything out of the ordinary, or will charge extra for it.

In the end, extensive planning and careful attention to detail will probably leave you with a sailing system to be proud of. I say go for it (and be sure to take lots of pictures so you can inform the rest of us).