Wishbone rig
A wishbone rig is a certain type of rigging on sailing vessels. This rigging is most popular on two masted heavy displacement units. On a ketch it is called wishbone ketch and then it is a subtype of ketch rigging.
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Definition
A wishbone ketch rigged vessel is a vessel that is rigged as a ketch where a permanent splitting gaff is mounted between two masts. Contrary to the Gaff rig (where the gaff is hoisted together with the sail) the gaff stays in the mast. The gaff is typically fixed on the first mast (the one closer to the front) and via a line fixed on the aft most mast. These lines allow the sail to be trimmed to suit the wind.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- it is lighter to hoist the sail than in case of the gaff rig
- the big sail stays open also in light winds
- it offers a big sail area (advantageous in light winds) - actually the full area between the two masts can be covered: no space is lost.
Disadvantages
- potential dangerous situation in case of unplanned gybe (and therefore difficult to use in broad reach (see Points of sail)
- it put significant strain on the top of the aft most mast
- additional weight that stays high in the mast (however this kind of rigging is generally used only on heavy boats)
Also Known As
ketch va marie (used in Poland)
fishbone ketch (seldom and possible a variation to wishbone ketch)
Etymology of the Word
A wishbone is a bone with a V or Y schape, similar to the gaff in the wishbone ketch. The Latin name for the bone is Furcula.
Examples on actual sailing ships
References
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See also
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