Rigs
The rig is the mast and stays or rigging to keep it in place. Because of trailering the need is for it to be raised and lowered to the deck easily. On smaller sizes this can often be manhandled by one or two people but in larger boats mechanical assistance is required. On pure racing boats light tall whippy masts are used but these require running backstays to keep them up, which must be changed each time a boat tacks or jibes. These hinder short handed cruising. Flexible masts can be bent to unload air and maintain drive. Trailer yachts designed for cruising and casual racing are likely to have heavier section masts, without running backstays and these are more difficult to raise and lower. The mast must be steadied both longitudinally and sideways whilst raising and lowering. Ideally the side stay connections remain in place so that on raising a mast tuning is not altered each time. Trailer recovery winches can be utilised to raise the mast and spinnaker poles double as hoisting derricks.
Read more about this topic: Trailer Sailer