A man with a plan, someone making sense, and in the “just in case you haven’t been paying attention” department…
I just came across a Paul Gartside scow design that caught my attention.
Not all that unlike our Bolger Jessie Cooper albeit a bit more beam and a lot more strings to pull.
While I really like the gaff rig, I still think the lug rig makes more sense. Even with the off-centerline freestanding mast.
So, gaff or lug?
LUG!!! Go lugnuts………………….
Lug.
I found a reefed down gaff just puts too much area up high and outboard, leading to some crew not being able to cope with the weather helm after a few days. Granted, not all gaffs are the same, but the balance area of the lug certainly helps with lighter sheet loads and balance.