Rig tips: Single or double spreader rig?

From Chuck Queen, Barnstomer (single-spreader)

Single or double spreader rig?

I asked the same question awhile back, and it seams no one really knew. I have a single spreader rig that I have mixed feelings about. In any conditions other than the top end of the #1 with a bunch of big boys, I prefer the single spreader. However, in that 12-18 knots, with the big sail, the mast is quite scary. I don't believe it's safe, at least not safe with the narrow (33") spreader length. I understand the Jack Easterday [Jack's Back] in the Bay Area has had great success with a single rig, but I have not personally talked with him. Not long ago I was just going to convert to the double package, but out upwind speed has been so good, I'm considering not doing anything now.

Anyway, my rig tension is 22 on the LOOS Rod Tension Gauge, that's about 1080# of standing tension. All the other boats in the yard are double spreader rigs (10?) and range for 16 to 18.5 (800#-975#). I've played with the lowers to just keep the mast in column, I haven't measured them. We also learned that the w ire Loos gauge reads about 39 on our boat, and 37-38 on the others, it definitely not as sensitive as the rod gauge.

CWQ

More on single-spreader rigs:

Single Spreader Olson-ites,

Barnstormer does have rod rigging jock straps and a custom "Beam-Of-Destiny" from Rocket Science Engineering (BOD, or strut as you call it) between the chain plates. These seem to make a big difference in maintaining rig tension. None of the boats in the Shilshole Dry Yard carry as much rig tension as Barnstormer. At first I really felt the need to convert to the double spreader rig, now I'm not as hot on the idea. Recently, we have played with the rake and lowered the lowers standing tension and the mast has looked better. Barnstormer currently seems pretty fast upwind in most conditions, [how true! -- JR] although our brand new Ullman sail probably help too.

I talked with Buzz Ballenger about putting the shrouds at the top of the mast, and maintaining the single spreader configuration, but he advised against it. He reasoned that the shroud angle would be too narrow and the rigging would fail. He commented that he has looked at over 100 combinations to make this rig design right and wasn't happy with any of them. He said no one wants to lengthen the spreaders, which is the only way to maintain the shroud angle and move the uppers to the top of the rig. I haven't actually talked with Jack E., but I'm assuming if he extended his uppers to the top of the mast then he has also lengthened he's spreaders. After some hard thinking, my current ideas lean towards this setup: moving the uppers up and lengthening the spreaders from 33" to 36" apiece. We seldom seem to be effectively sheeting tighter than 3" from our sail. He commented that he has looked at over 100 combinations to make this rig design right and wasn't happy with any of them. He said no one wants to lengthen the spreaders, which is the only way to maintain the shroud angle and move the uppers to the top of the rig. I haven't actually talked with Jack E., but I'm assuming if he extended his uppers to the top of the mast then he has also lengthened he's spreaders. After some hard thinking, my current ideas lean towards this setup: moving the uppers up and lengthening the spreaders from 33" to 36" apiece. We seldom seem to be effectively sheeting tighter than 3" from our single spreader anyway. I understand that the double spreader boats are poking the upper spreader into their genoa pretty hard, but never through the lower spreaders, our single spreader is located in the fattest part of the sheeting angle world.

Just my 0.02 cents....

Chuck Queen
Barnstormer Owner
O30 #31