Gaff Rig - Sailing Characteristics (small Craft)

Sailing Characteristics (small Craft)

The gaff rig generally has a lower Centre-of-Effort (CE) compared to a Bermuda rig, however, just as significantly, the CE is much further away from the mast. Often, gaff rigged boats have unusually long booms, and this CE to mast distance is further increased. The effects of this distance can be quite dramatic, and dependant on the point of sail.

• Reaching with Gaff Sails

Whilst reaching, the CE being set further back, will encourage a small craft to bear up into the wind, i.e. strong weather helm. The boat builder can compensate for this at design stage, e.g. by shifting the keel slightly aft, or having two jibs to counter the effect. The Gaff-Cutter, is in fact a very popular sailplan for small craft. The helmsman, can reduce weather helm significantly, simply by sheeting out the mainsail. Sheeting out may appear to create an inefficient belly in the sail, but it is often a pragmatic alternative to having a heavy helm. A swing keel lifted halfway is the perfect treatment for weather helm on a gaffer.The usual adjustments to mast rake, or even bowsprit length may be made to a gaffer with persistent heavy weather (or lee) helm.

• Running with Gaff Sails

Running with a gaff-rig often requires a firm hand on the tiller. The CE of the mainsail may actually be overboard of the hull, in a stiff wind the craft may want to broach. Running goose winged with a jib boom would be ideal in moderate winds, but dropping the main entirely and running with jib alone may be prudent in stronger winds.