ketch rigged catamaran

15 Surprising Benefits of a Ketch Rig (and 7 Cons)

If you're trying to figure out whether the ketch rig is for you, there are a couple of important factors to consider. In this article, I'll sum up the most important benefits.

What are the benefits of a ketch rig? Since the sail area is divided over multiple sails, the ketch is more easily managed and is great for single-handed sailing. It offers more versatility in sail plan, and is known to handle very well in heavy winds. The ketch rig is an especially effective rig for larger boats (40ft and up).

Just a quick recap: the ketch is a two-masted sailboat that has a mainmast (front) and shorter mizzenmast (aft or back). Both masts carry a mainsail. The sail on the mizzenmast is also called the jigger.

Your mizzensail provides all kinds of benefits. There are some really creative ways to put your mizzenmast to use. Read on to learn what those are.

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The ideal rig for long-distance offshore cruising, ketches generally perform better in downwind conditions, smaller sails are easier to manage, easier reefing, using multiple sails allows for more control, more versatile sail plan options, you gain a spare sail, more balanced sailing, superior sail plan in heavy winds, comfort over speed, less stress on the rigging, variety of mizzenmast uses, the air rudder, free riding sail at anchor, incredibly fast in right conditions, disadvantages of the ketch rig, in conclusion.

All in all, the ketch rig is widely known as one of the best rigs for long-distance cruising . There are multiple reasons to back up that claim, and we'll go over all of them one by one below. But the most important reason is that the ketch is incredibly comfortable, both in handling, maneuvering, operating, and the ride itself. This increased comfort is largely thanks to the extra sail aft, the mizzensail, which provides a better power balance.

So who's it for?

The ketch is especially great for long-distance cruisers that face rough waters and heavier winds and are short-handed. For example, couples that want to sail around the world together, or liveaboards that go on long holidays or expeditions. It's also a great family cruiser, since you can sail a larger boat without needing additional crew members or having to operate humongous sails.

While with the Marconi rig the main and jib get in each other's way on downwind runs, the ketch rig has far fewer problems. The mizzensail and mainsail can work together seamlessly and are far more efficient with most points of sail, except of course when sailing very close to the wind. But even then, the Bermuda rig and ketch can go neck-to-neck and the gap in performance isn't necessarily enormous. Unless you're a racer, the ketch is a really good alternative to the Bermuda rig, and most people should at least consider it.

The ketch is a very good single-handed rig, especially for larger boats (40ft and up). Using smaller but more sails allows you to have more sail area, while it's still manageable for one person. Also, smaller sails are easier to handle in heavier winds . Splitting up your sail area is just a great way to keep things in check, even with a small crew of just one or two people.

Because you have more (and mostly smaller) sails, reefing becomes easier. There's less stress on the sails, and you can reef down gradually, in phases, moving through your sails one by one. This ensures comfortable reefing and results in less speed reduction.

Another great tip I've read somewhere is that you can even quickly drop your main when the winds come in. Instantly, you're storm proof, while maintaining speed and course.

The ketch rig has three primary sails instead of two. This provides all kinds of benefits, and there are a couple of really surprising ones, which I'll come to later on. But the most important one is that you gain more control. The mizzensail provides more control over your stern.

Also, with the additional sail, you get a lot more trimming options for all conditions, allowing you more precise control for each point of sail and with any wind.

The extra sail also provides more versatile sail plan options. You have a broader operating range. There are more sails to put up with light airs, but also more sails to take down when things get rough. You can reef in all kinds of different combinations, and even take down the main if you have to. Which brings me to my next point.

This provides A LOT of benefits. For example, if you need to perform maintenance on your main, you can simply take it down, and continue sailing without losing control or a lot of speed. The ketch can sail on all points of wind with the main down (or the mizzen or jib). You have a spare sail, which will come in handy.

The mizzensail has a major upside you just won't get with the Bermuda sloop rig. The mizzensail balances the jib.

Sailing "jib and jigger" means just using your mizzen and jib, and leaving the mainsail down.

I've heard that this sail plan is very well-balanced, and allows you to self steer in a way. You could theoretically even use it as an temporary alternative to your autopilot, should it break down.

Thanks to its more balanced sail plan, the ketch rig is a much more comfortable ride in heavier winds, and many sailors praise the ketch for precisely that. Taking down the mainsail, sailing just the jigger and jib, provides a sort of instant storm sail plan that at the same time offers a lot more control than the single stormsail you'd usually put up on a Bermuda rig instead of the mainsail.

I think it's clear by now that the ketch is maybe the ultimate cruising rig. If you value your comfort, the mizzen offers some incredible benefits. The well-balanced output of this rig and the enormous variety in sail trim options allow for a smooth ride in almost all conditions.

However, you do pay a (minor) price for all this luxury: speed. The ketch is inevitably slower than the leaner Bermuda rig. However, on a downwind run, the ketch will still satisfy: there's plenty of sail area to gain some nice momentum.

Reducing sail size means you don't have to put as much stress on the rigging and you could use shorter masts, making them stronger. The difference in mast length isn't huge, but the forces on the mast grow exponentially with length. So a bit shorter mast makes a big difference.

In turn, the stress on the rigging is also reduced, which can lead to less wear, resulting in lower maintenance costs.

Stress on the rigging seems to be the major disadvantage of the Marconi rig.

Another rig that's a bit 'softer' is the gaff rig . The gaff rig is better suited for inland, calm waters instead of long term cruising, but can be another good alternative to the uptight Bermuda. I have written about the advantages of the gaff rig in detail in this article (opens in new tab).

The mizzenmast and sail can act as several things and will be very useful to creative sailors. Some cool examples I've found:

You can use the mizzenmast and sail:

• Using it as a crane to load and unload cargo
• Using it as an air rudder
• Using it as your riding sail at anchor

The mizzen can be a great help in mooring and the likes. Many ketch sailors use the mizzenmast as a type of massive wind rudder, which is a great help when you want extra control under sail. If you learn to use the mizzensail, you gain an additional rudder, which increases control over your stern and can help you maneuver in tight spots.

You can also use the mizzensail as an alternative riding sail at anchor, although it isn't recommended since your sail will wear down due to increased UV exposure.

As I pointed out briefly before, the ketch rig is a bit slower than most Bermuda rigs. However, in the right conditions, it can be incredibly fast, especially with larger boats that run a well-balanced sail plan. If you are able to utilize the additional sail area and find a course with a good point of sail, the ketch rig can really ramp up.

As with anything, there is a price to be paid for all these advantages, and the ketch rig does have some downsides. I thought it would be only fair to touch on them briefly below. However, if you are able to look past these, in my opinion, minor disadvantages, the ketch rig remains a great rig for serious sailors.

They tend to be slower than sloops

The Bermuda rig isn't the most popular rig by chance. It is by far the fastest rig out there.

They can't sail as close to the wind as sloops

Although modern ketches can sail almost as high as sloops, there's a point where sloops are able to go, and ketches can go no further. However, I think that many recreational sailors won't push their rig to its limits, which means the ketch is still a good option to consider.

The mizzenmast takes up space

Extra masts and extra sails do take up additional space, and space is precious on your boat.

Most ketches are old boats

Since it is a less popular rig type, there are fewer ketches made than Bermuda sloops. The apparant result being that ketches tend to be a bit older, and are a bit harder to find.

They will be more expensive

Since there are less available, they will be more expensive - the additional mast and sails will obviously also increase your purchase. And it's my guess that most ketches are owned by people who know pretty well what their boat is worth, so it will be harder to find a good bargain.

Additional rigging

Ketches have a lot of additional rigging you just won't find on your regular Bermuda. An extra mast and main means additional sheets, halyards, stays, and so on.

More or less maintenance cost

I have never owned a ketch and I never had to maintain one, so I just don't know whether a ketch is more or less expensive in maintenance. The additional rigging and sails may drive up the maintenance cost; on the other end, the sails are smaller and maybe won't all need replacing at the same rate, which may reduce maintenance cost. Especially the fact that ketch sailors use their mainsail less will probably be really cost-effective. Also, the reduced stress on the mast and (standing) rigging, may reduce maintenance cost.

If you have more experience or information about the cost of ownership and maintenance cost of ketches, please leave a comment below. I'm always eager to learn.

The ketch is a great rig that provides comfort, versatility, and control while offering acceptable speeds and a large operating range. It's a viable alternative to the Bermuda rig, and is especially interesting for people that want to explore the world's oceans with a small crew. It's easy to handle but will be more expensive initially, although I suspect the maintenance cost of the ketch rig will even itself out.

There you have it, all the advantages and disadvantages of the ketch rig in one neat overview. I hope this was helpful and has provided some insight to help you in deciding whether or not the ketch rig is for you.

Seamus Scanlan

I once owned a “Morgan Giles” barrell built wooden sloop which I sailed in the Gair Loch and the Firth of Clyde: what a lovely wee boat that was ! However, that was some years ago and “Things Conspired” and I lost her … I Perhaps Life has changed for the better and now I dream of owning a “Miller Fifer”30 or 35 foot. She should provide live aboard accommodation, carry me through the canals of Europe and see me challenge the Med. Your article on the advantages of the ketch has has inspired and encouraged me greatly and I am sincerely grateful; thank you so much. Seamus.

Please enjoy a HEALTHY 2021.’

It’s a bit confusing and frustrating that you compare a ketch to a Bermuda. Ketch is a sail PLAN, Bermuda is a sail SHAPE. As is gaff, by the way. That rather beautiful photo you used is a gaff sail ketch rig. It gets confusing to newer sailors and causes a bit of skepticism in your accuracy. Otherwise, a well written article. As an (occasional) author, I’ve found that reading what you’ve written a week or so later in a very different font can dramatically help proofreading. A good friend also can’t hurt.

Fair winds and smooth seas!

I made the newbie mistake of buying a 12m used ketch without a survey as a first boat. It sure seems like it would be neat to have, were I experienced. But lots more reading to do. It seems mine is not just a ketch but I am told it is a cutter ketch because there is a space for a yankee. But I assume that is still expected to be slower than your sloop as referenced above?

in 1976 I purchased a brand new, built-for-me, 35’ Challenger ketch. On April 1, 1977, I moved onto my Challenger, which became her name, with my wife, 8 and 12year old sons who had first sailed the year before in a 1969, used, Cal 29. We lived on the Challenger every year from 1977 until I sold her in 1994. My boys, from day one could sail her in any weather, high or low winds or waves. We all loved her sailing on Lake Ontario, NY and Ontario Canada and the St. Lawrence River and 1000 Island and around Kingston Ontario area for 22 days in 1978 only docking for two nights and at anchor the rest of the time. Challenger, with the sails properly set could sail herself either across or down the lake West to east. My wife would sleep and I would sit up in the bow in the pulpit while she sailed. We oftentimes would fly a big light drifter in light winds and a staysail from the main mast head to the End of the mizzen boom. With 5 sails up we would fly. It was sad to let her go but Florida has lots of shallow water.

I appreciate the article as i am looking and trying to understand all the differences and advantages and disadvantages. have owned sloops and never even though of the different rigs as I felt they may be to complicated. I am to find something for some enjoyable cruising and will most likely always be shorthanded with crewing issues. I also appreciated Rehn comments just to make you think. Thank you! for sharing your thoughts

Gene Rossano

I am Gene. almost 30 years ago I sold my Challenger 35 Ketch that I purchased new in 1976 and had her trucked to Buffalo, NY from California to sail on all of Lake Ontario and into the St Lawrence River and the 1000 islands and some channels and locks and small lakes in Ontario, Canada. My wife and I and 8 and 12-year-old sons moved on her on April 1st 1977 and moved off the Challenger November 1st every year until I sold her in 1994 to move to Florida, the land of miles and miles of very shallow water. We sailed her every week leaving on Thursday or Friday and returning either Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday to head back to our home port of Wilson, NY, or later, St Catherines Marina, located in St Catherines, Ontario Canada. We sailed her in every kind of wind and wave condition that we all felt Challenger could and would take us home safely and well. My wife and my boys helmed her and tended the sails day and night in all conditions with every different sail combination that we possessed.All sails were hanked.

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You may also like, 12 surprising advantages of a gaff rig (and some cons).

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Concept 63 Catamaran

The CONCEPT 63 Catamaran is a thoroughbred cruising catamaran, conceived as a fast, long distance cruiser for a small crew. She delivers exceptional performance under both sail and power and very comfortable accommodations.

While not currently in production, the Concept 63 is available on a custom basis. Call Chris White for details. 

The forward half of each hull is devoted to a private double cabin. Both cabins contain upper and lower bunks, a hanging locker, dresser, seat and storage spaces. Each double cabin has its own private head and shower.

Power The diesel engines are located in dedicated engine rooms, with standing headroom, and all 'round access to the engines. There is plenty of room for auxiliary machinery such as a gen set, desalinator and air conditioning, as well as a work bench and tool storage. Engine size can vary from 45HP to 100 HP. Twin 45's will yield 10 knots. The larger engines have the capacity to push this cat to 14 knots. Propellers are protected by the draft of the hull. Beaching this cat poses no problem for the props.

Dinghy Deck The aft deck is one of the most frequently used and functional spaces on the boat. It's a great outdoor work and play space, with room for out of the water dinghy stowage, fishing, organizing snorkeling expeditions and other watersports.

Safety Features As with all proper multihull designs, the Concept 63 is unsinkable. Each hull incorporates two collision bulkheads forward and a third watertight bulkhead aft. Violation of any of the watertight subdivisions means only a slight variation to boat trim or heel, typically less than 1 or 2 degrees. While not recommended, it would be possible to safely sail long distances with both bows flooded forward of the collision bulkheads.

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Why a Cat Ketch?

Posted by Graham Byrnes on Jan 1st 2015

You may have noticed that B&B Yacht Designs has several models that are cat-ketch rigged. For example the Core Sound 15 pictured below sailing at our annual messabout.

Perhaps you are not familiar with this rig, and think that it looks “old-timey.”

And, perhaps you think that this rig is not as “efficient” as a “modern” sloop rig.

First let us dispel some common myths about the cat ketch rig.

The rig type is, indeed, one that has been around for many years, and one which was greatly favored by the watermen of the East Coast before the age of power. The rig fell out of favor not because it was inefficient, but because working sailboats became obsolete, and the recreational sailboats which have been built since, are influenced not by the need for efficiency and speed, but by an artificial rating rule. Such rules, made to “equalize” boats on a race course, often penalized the very things which made a boat fast. So designers’ of “modern” boats designed boats that could get the greatest benefit from the lowest rating – and not necessarily the best and fastest boat they could have designed. When ratings were not an issue, the cat ketch has been a rig favored for it’s gentle ways. Several designers in recent decades have utilized this rig to great advantage on some contemporary, even avant-garde designs. In head to head competition, cat ketches have performed well. Our boats have an admirable racing record, although they were never designed as racers.

What are the unique advantages of the cat ketch rig and why have we chosen it for some of our designs?

Before going on, let us say: We are not missionaries for this rig. It is not a trademark of our designs in that it in no way represents the rig on the majority of our plans. It is however, a rig, which we have found to be extremely suitable for certain types of boats. So, it fits with our philosophy of making each design work as well as it can for it’s type, while retaining a cost effective approach without compromising quality or performance.

The well-designed cat ketch rig is a simple, inexpensive and balanced rig.

The sail plan spreads the sails along the length of the boat on two masts. The low center of effort afforded by the fore and aft, rather than upward, spread of sail, produces less heeling force.

Free standing masts require no rigging; making them quick to rig and unrig, easy to reef and inexpensive. They also offer an innate degree of safety: the masts bend during gusts, flattening the sail and de-powering the rig.

Each spar is lighter, smaller and easier to handle. This is really important with beach boats, day boats and other dry-sailed craft. It only takes a few minutes to rig. In our designs, up to about 20′, stepping the masts can be accomplished by one person. Being able to get in and out of the water quickly and easily makes sailing so much more accessible. If you have to contemplate an hour of preparation just to go sailing; it isn’t likely that you will go sailing for an hour! In today’s busy world you may have only a few days when you are free to take the whole day for sailing. On the other hand, we all have the odd hour or two of free time, and when the boat can be launched and retrieved in minutes, you can spend that hour sailing. Our larger or cabin boats utilize hinging masts in tabernacles that can also be setup quickly with one person

Docile. That is probably the best word for the behavior of this rig. Your days of yelling, “prepare to tack”, “tacking” – “let it go”, and “pull it in” are over. When you want to tack, you simply put the helm over and off you go on your new course. The sails will tack themselves. This may be a little un-nerving at first. If you have been sailing only sloops or ketches with headsails up until now, you will feel like you ought to be doing something. We’ve noticed however, that it takes the average sailor only about 3 tacks to get used to this laid back approach. By the 5th tack they are enamored and begin to aimlessly tack back and forth with a great big grin on their faces. The crew is equally happy, because they haven’t moved a muscle or been yelled at during the whole procedure. As delirious as the tack may make the laid back crew, they will really get excited by the jibe. Jibing has traditionally been a recipe for disaster, with such fanciful names as the Chinese jibe, invented to describe just one of the multiple possibilities for complications. In the cat ketch rig, jibing requires exactly the same degree of panic as the tack we just discussed…you just put the helm over, pull in some excess sheet if you wish and let her slide out the other side.

Upwind. The cat ketch rig is handy and comfortably close-winded. Provided you have a good hull under you (never blame a good rig for a poor hull design), she will go to weather nicely.

Reaching & Running: Since the sprit bisects the sail load, the area above and below the sprit are balanced. So when the sheets are eased, the sails go out and stay out with none of the collapsing and filling that is the bane of the normal jib behind main. Nor is there the twisting off of the typical mainsail, when the boom lifts and causes a “death roll” in strong winds. Somewhere between a very broad reach and a run, the main sail will begin to shake and lose power. This is not a problem, just turn off the wind a bit further, jibe the main across and return to your desired course.

As you have already learned, jibing, the bane of most downwind sail-handlers is a snap. With a cat ketch rig you can also sail directly down wind, wing and wing. The boat feels stable and whisks along nicely. If the wind gets up and things get hairy, on an unstayed rig (which includes most smaller cat ketches) you can just let those sails go forward of the beam. This will immediately stabilize the boat. Also, the sails when they are allowed to go forward (about 20° ), will keep the boat tracking downwind, so it makes a very easy time of what would be the most delicate conditions for a sloop or cat rigged boat.

Taken to it’s extreme, you can make delicate and gentle downwind landings in any weather by just letting the sheets go and allowing your sails fly forward completely, at the same time lifting your centerboard and letting go of the rudder pennant to lift the rudder…you glide into your (shallow) landing under complete control. This is a far cry from the usual tension and chaos of a downwind landing on a blustery day.

The anatomy of the cat ketch rig:

There are two masts, one set close to the bow which is the mainsail and a mizzen which is usually near or just aft of the center of the boat. The mainsail is larger than the mizzen – although the sails are much more evenly divided size-wise than in a jib-headed ketch. (And to answer the question many ask: yes if the forward sail is smaller it is a cat schooner – not a cat ketch rig).

The sails may be of any shape – some have gaffs; others, like our designs are marconi and have sprits not booms.

We chose sprits rather than booms because they are quick to rig and cheap to build and easy to stow (smaller models use simple and available fir closet rod)…

The sprit is a diagonal spar which holds the sail between the clew and the mast – it serves the same purpose as a boom. We like it in small boats particularly – because it eliminates the boom moving across the cockpit of a small boat and eliminates the need for a boom vang. If you are in the way during the tack, the sail just slides over you harmlessly (the one exception: do not sit directly in front of the mizzen mast on the middle seat, or you could get hit with the main sheets or the clew end of the sprit).

The sprit is attached to the clew with the end poked through a loop of webbing or rope. The forward end fits into a rope which is lashed to the mast (a snotter). This controls the height of the sprit and the relative leech and foot tension. Because these are all “soft” fittings, they are easily adjustable. There is a line to a cleat so that you can adjust sail draft while underway.

Sprits may be either straight or curved. We have done some informal tests and have not found that the curved sprits are enormously superior, although some people prefer them.

We are asked if full wishbone booms are more efficient, and yes, they are – but the little bit of extra efficiency comes at the expense of simplicity and cost.

If you are a good wood worker and like laminating things, curved sprits and wishbones are a nice touch and they can be made quite pretty.

The sprits are placed on opposite sides of the sails; in other words if the mainsail has the sprit on the starboard, the mizzen will have it on the port. Although the sail flops over the sprit on one tack, it does not affect the efficiency as much as it might appear to.

Shortening sail can be accomplished in two ways. In smaller models, the simplest way is to first, remove the mizzen and place the main in the center (single) sail position (given on all our plans for this rig). If the wind continues to pipe up, change down to the smaller mizzen sail. The second way to reef – which may the most desirable on the larger models, and an option for the smaller models for those who may not be comfortable with the mast exchange, is to have normal reef points in the sail and add halyards.

The combination of the sprit rigged cat ketch and a centerboard board allows for a great deal of adjustment for balancing out the boat in any conditions. If there is some lee helm in light wind, the board can be lowered further, moving the center of lateral resistance (CLR) forward or you can adjust the sails without lowering the board – sheet in the mizzen or let out the main…or combine the three options. Weather helm? Reverse the procedure. Normally (as designed) the helm should be neutral at 8-14 knots, with an increasing weather helm as the wind increases. When the sail/board adjustments are not quite enough to neutralize the helm, you can reef. You will always be able to trim to balance the helm in any conditions, by these methods.

Some Tips for Sailing a Cat Ketch:

• Because the sprit bisects the angle of the sail, there is very little load on the sheets. A simple cleat is all you need.
• Our designs call for, and we strongly advocate the use of double ended sheets, so that no matter which side of the boat you are sitting on, you can adjust the sheet without leaving your position. (Remember this is laid-back sailing).
• In windy or gusty condition, you always have the end of your double ended sheet close at hand and if you get a strong gust and feel you have heeled to an uncomfortable angle, just let the mainsheet go to reduce wind pressure and heeling force. WARNING: Be sure that you release the mainsheet (the forward sail) first. If you let the mizzen go first, it moves the center of effort forward and the boat will bear away which will increase the pressure and heeling and could cause a capsize.
• When sailing in light air, if your sails get a vertical crease close to the mast, ease the luff tension.
• When the wind is heavier if you see horizontal crease near the mast, increase the luff tension.
• Use the snotter line to adjust the relative tension of the foot and leech, they should be evenly and equally curved. So if the leech is tight and the foot is full, lower the angle of the sprit and for a tight foot and loose leech raise the sprit angle.
• Grounded! The day will come when you will run her aground in a strong breeze and you’ll get the centerboard stuck so you can’t raise it. The boat will swing around to a somewhat beam-on position. Now in most boats you’d be in a nice pickle…but with the cat ketch, just let the main (foresail) go and the center of effort will go so far aft that she will spin around and tack – then you can re-sheet your forward sail and sail off.

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1981 52' CSK ketch rigged catamaran

Discussion in ' Multihulls ' started by Gary Bernier , Jul 1, 2021 .

Gary Bernier New Member

I was researching the history of the CSK that I own. I found that it was built by Peter S. Talbot in California for James Berry in 1981. Its original name was White Dove. Does anyone have any information of a boat builder Peter S. Talbot. I find nothing.  

bajansailor Marine Surveyor

Have you tried contacting the folk at Choy Design, to see if they might have any info on your fine cat? Choydesign | Modern Multihull Pioneers https://www.choydesign.com/ And please do post some photos and additional info (size, construction material, etc) of her on here -the more the better!  

I have called and emailed Choy Design. So far, no reply. Thanks. Link to some pictures: https://photos.app.goo.gl/pAE8K8gx13e41rNL7 I also uploaded the 2018 pre-purchase survey  

Attached Files:

1981 CSK Makani Lani Catamaran.pdf

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LucasH992 New Member

The following is from an online yearbook style format from Dartmouth University. This Pete Talbot graduated Dartmouth as a member of "the amazing class of 1938" "Pete Talbot '38 is pictured aboard his 52-foot, ocean-going Catamaran, the Arkanora, which he builthimself over a period of 21 years. He started building it in a field near his home in Mountain View,Calif., and now docks it near his home in Port Townsend, Wash." I hope this helps!  

52' CSK Catamaran

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My thoughts on the Ketch rig

• November 24, 2016

30 Comments

Continuing with my unplanned theme of sails this week ( both yesterday’s post , and the one from the day before , had to do with sails, or sailing ), I think I’d like to talk about the Ketch rig. Since we purchased our Amel a year ago July, we have been asked our opinion of the Ketch rig by many people, both how we like it, and how we use it. Until now, my answer has always been that we don’t really know much about it, that we are just figuring it out. Now, 16 months later, I feel that I can at least start to render an opinion.

To get the novices reading this up to speed, a Ketch is a two-masted vessel where the rearmost mast is shorter than the forward one, and is positioned in front of the rudder. If the rearmost mast is as tall, or taller than the foremast, the vessel is Schooner rigged. If the shorter rear mast is aft of the rudder, the boat is considered a Yawl. That said, almost all Amels are ketch rigged, so obviously the designer, Henri Amel , thought that there was some benefit to this particular rigging setup.

What advantages was he considering? Was it speed? No, I don’t think so. As I understand it, the basic idea behind a Ketch rig is that the sail plan of the boat can be spread out over two, smaller, more-manageable sections, as opposed to a Sloop, a single-masted boat with one large mainsail. His belief was that this configuration would be easier for a short-handed crew, a cruising couple, to deal with. Now with some experience behind us, we tend to agree.

Frost under sail towards Carriacou. Photo courtesy of our friend Dirk on Evening Ebb . Note that Evening Ebb is also a Ketch!

Surprisingly to us, many owners of Ketch rigged boats tell us that they hardly ever use their mizzen, the rear sail. In fact, a new friend of ours has even removed it from his boat to save weight! I know that on the newer Amels the mizzen does not have electric furling as the mainsail and the genoa do, making it a bit more of a hassle to deal with, relatively speaking, but still, it can be handled quite easily from the safety of the center cockpit, so why not use it?

Well, one reason that people don’t use it is that they say it doesn’t affect the performance of the boat very much. This, I have tried to come to grips with. We almost always have our mizzen raised, and in fact, it’s the first sail we typically put up, and do so before we even raise anchor. Our boat also sails quite well, even to weather ( towards the wind ), with just the mizzen and genoa ( some people refer to this sail configuration as jib and jigger ).

We have been told that when sailing close hauled, that is, as close to the wind as a boat can point, the mizzen is actually a hindrance, assuming that the main is up too. The thought is that the mizzen gets backwinded, and actually slows the boat down. Always willing to experiment, during our last passage from St. Lucia to Martinique , as we were sailing close hauled, I actually dropped the mizzen, wanting to see if lowering it would have any effect. It didn’t, which does not support the theory that it was slowing us down, but nor does it show that it was helping us in any way!

I’ve also heard that the mizzen is not beneficial when sailing down wind, that it kicks the stern around too much. This may be true, I don’t know. If I ever find myself in a position to sail down wind, something that almost never happens here in the Caribbean , perhaps I’ll do a test to confirm or refute this.  🙂

Two other uses for the rear mast:

• Some people leave the mizzen raised at anchor, to act as a riding sail of sorts. This supposedly helps to keep the boat pointing in to the wind, and stop it from sailing around at anchor. We’ve never had a problem with this, and so have never done it. We have, however, come across several Ketch rigged boats that did have their mizzen raised at anchor.
• The rear mast of a Ketch also allows the boat to fly a mizzen staysail, a light air sail that flies forward of the mizzen mast, for use when sailing downwind ( see image below ). We don’t have such a sail, but I’ve seen photos of them. They look nice, and I’ve heard that they’re quite effective.

I’m not sure who this Amel belongs to, but it is beautiful! If this is your boat, please let me know and I’ll edit the post to give you credit.

Recently we had someone comment on a photo of our boat on Facebook , saying that the Ketch was a poor rig choice, that a cutter would be better. Not interested in engaging in another pointless internet argument with some anonymous guy, I simply replied that we are all entitled to our opinion. Obviously Henri Amel , the designer of our boat, felt differently than this fellow. And given the number of Amels here in Martinique , and also Ketch rigged boats from other designers ( we are surrounded! ), I’d say that there are a great number of people who feel differently!

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I’ve always had an affinity for ketch rigs. A nice ketch just look beautiful, just look at LF Herreshoff for example, pure class…. I don’t have a boat of my own yet, but it will likely be a ketch when the moment comes (a 37ft Jeanneau Gin-Fizz is my sweet spot).

The literature I’ve come across supports your observations and that of many others, and Amel certainly is one of the major references when it comes to this type of rig. Just yesterday I also found on Youtube a video by Capt’n Fatty Goodlander describing the benefits of the ketch. Another small benefit of having a mizzen is that it’s perfect to mount some electronics and wind genny up and out of the way!

But in the end, as you said it’s a matter of preference and what kind of sailing you’re after. From my limited non-sailor view, it looks like in the past thirty-ish years, the mass market has become “biased” in favor of performance which may have shaped the preferences of a majority of owners, and ketches seem to be predominantly about cruising comfortably, with speed not really being much of a priority. With most manufacturers delivering sloops and cutters, it could even be argued that a lot of biases might come not from the rigs themselves but from the sailors’s familiarity with them, and their expertise in handling them to their full potential!

With all that said, there are some really nice, and very capable, sloops and cutters out there too of course, just like there are awesome cats and trimarans… To each their own 🙂

And there’s even the odd ketch-rigged catamaran too!

Our boat is a cutter ketch, and that provides us with a nice heavy weather configuration: mizzen and staysail.

I agree that hard on the wind the mizzen doesn’t add much – maybe a half a knot. But it is a great help on a reach!

And yes, that second mast is a very convenient mounting place for radar, etc.

Bob s/v Eolian Anacortes

A cutter ketch, the best of both worlds perhaps.

…except for tacking the foresail…

Yeah, I can see how that would be made more challenging by the additional stay. How do you do it? Just pull it through?

It can be a pain. But if the staysail is set it helps, because the yankee can’t form a billow around the inner forestry.

Makes sense.

Mike, I agree with everything you wrote. Re: downwind, we have a lot of downwind time on Liberty (among others, st Martin to Texas – 2000 mm – in 2014). If the wind is strong, it can sh the stern around. Your autopilot will tell you. We have a reef in our mizzen, and we use it above 25 kts or so. Hence my comment on reefing off the wind under sail. If (when?) you get a mizzen staysail, make sure it is cut fairly flat. We (I) bought a mizzen “staysail” after one too many Painkillers at the Annapolis boat show one year, but got sold a full cut spinnaker. We could only fly it on a beam reach in about 6 kts max. But we have some beautiful photos of Liberty

Good advice. Thanks!

I see so many sailing with just mizzen and genoa when the wind is above 15 mph. . I always figure it must be well balanced that way and sort of a lazy man’s reefed main equivalent.

That sail combination does work very well.

I owned a Ketch Rigged Duncanson 40 for about 12 years, after sailing many race boats before and extensive coastal cruising, learning to get the best from the Ketch rig took some time, but when mastered was well worth it, and if I buy another sailboat it will be a Ketch. The mizzen sail was always the first to go up and never taken down when either racing or cruising the boat. Going to windward required maximum traveller down until some backwinding occurred from the genoa and then sheet the mizzen up until the boom is along the centreline of the boat. I had a mizzen staysail which was quite flat and tacked at the base of the main mast, this could also be flown similar to a blooper beside a poled out headsail for comfortable down hill cruising and surprisingly fast. The jib and jigger rig is amazingly efficient in heavier air and I never bothered reefing the main, just get rid of it.

I wasn’t familiar with the Duncanson 40 so I just looked it up. Nice looking boat.

Thanks for this – very informative and also comforting to hear your positive views. We are newbies going to live aboard in the spring and have just bought a 33 ft ketch. My husband liked a ketch for many of the reasons you mentioned, eg short handed sailing (It’s just us and I am creaky!) and I like them for no better reason than I think they are beautiful. However beauty is not all and I am pleased to hear how much you use the mizzen. As you say, they were designed for a reason and we should discover their uses and benefits not chuck them away!

Do you have relatives in Grenada, Vicky? I think Telesford is a common name there. 🙂

The Ketch rig is not only a cruising rig as you may recall New Zealand’s Steinlager II.

“Big Red” Steinlager II is already a sailing legend: no other maxi yacht has this palmares of victories – no other maxi is already a piece of sailing story – and still sailing strong! – http://steinlager2.com/pages/SL2_steinlager.html

“Steinlager II serves as Sir Peter Blake’s fingerprint on the ocean waves. Sir Peter Blake was the skipper of the boat that won the 1989/1990 Whitbread Race and also won the 1995 and 2000 America’s Cup for Team New Zealand.”

Some would say that the ketch rig is actually more suitable for larger vessels like that than it is for sub-50 footers. Not me, but some people. 😉

Thanks for sharing your take on the rig Mike. From your point of view, do you think the benefits outweigh the added complexity and quantity of rigging, equipment and sails? We’re planning to get a Zeus target, (aka Catamaran) but may wind up with a mono if the cruising kitty doesn’t swell enough in the next few years.

I really don’t see it as added complexity, and compared with a sloop of similar length, the rigging, and sails on a ketch will be smaller, offsetting much, if not all, of the cost difference.

We have a ketch rigged Transworld 41. I have sailed sloops mostly since learning to sail 10 years ago. However, we opted for ketch rigged vessel when we chose our cruising boat.

We did it for several reasons, not the least of which was the ability to put up smaller sails on shorter masts and be able to handle them alone if necessary. My wife and I are both fast approaching 60 and I had a heart attack and subsequent open heart surgery last year, after we’d purchased the boat. She had ovarian cancer a couple of years before.

We intended to go cruising and see the world as well as our meager budget would allow in the time we have left on Earth, and the ketch is the BEST of many worlds. If a boat were an RV, a ketch would be the best engine. While I am actually still “learning” new things all the time about this rigging and we only have four sails to deal with, I’ve found that I can move this boat with JUST the mizzen up.

So – for your edification (the author above) who has to deal with “random opinions from the internet” (as I do) your choice of rigs was, essentially, the best of all.

The boat is beautiful (ANY ketch is pretty). The ketch is a working rig. The ketch is versatile. The mizzen can be used to get you out of trouble. The rig has other advantages you’ve already mentioned.

Anyone that says it’s “obsolete” isn’t actually a cruiser I would say. There are salty sailors out there who’ve sailed and traveled in everything. There are cruisers (some salty, and some usually covered more in mud from getting unstuck, rather like myself), and there are arm chair sailors/cruisers who sit at home on the Internet and talk…. and rarely, if ever, do.

Take heart in the fact that your chosen method of motivation and navigation is perhaps one of the most awesome, most looked at, and most beautiful ships on the sea.

Enjoy your journey!

Rick s/v Adventure http://windsoftime.us

Nice comment, Rick. Thanks for posting.

Hey Mike & Rebecca!

I missed this when you posted originally, so finally caught it via Facebook. As you might recall, Beausoleil is also a ketch, and is rigged slightly different from the Amel. It’s not “quite” cutter-rigged – the staysail is tacked at the bow, and the headsail at the end of the bowsprit. The staysail was originally self-tacking on a boom, but with a furler installed we went to a clewboard instead.

With furlers on the headsail and staysail, 3 reef points on the main and 2 on the mizzen, and an asymmetrical spinnaker, we have an almost limitless combination to work with – and that’s without a mizzen staysail.

We use the mizzen most of the time, even upwind. With the mast of Formosa 51’s like ours pretty far forward, the mizzen is needed to help balance things, otherwise we’re fighting wicked weather helm. And since we purchased new sails from Mack Sails back in 2011, we can point much higher than before. The addition of the new staysail helps tremendously – before we could only point up to about 55 degrees apparent, but now we can sail up to 45 apparent, and pinch as high as 40 if the waves are too bad.

My only complaint is that as a rear-cockpit boat rather than center cockpit, the mizzen boom is a bit low. I’m only 5′-7″, but our bimini is just barely over my head. Taller guests have to duck. I’ll consult with a sailmaker about possibly raising the mizzen boom about 6″, which can be done without re-cutting the mizzen.

Hi Jon. I’m trying to remember but I think we were just on a boat that had raised their boom to give more room in the cockpit. That or I just read about someone doing it. I can’t think of who it is at the moment though. Our friend Dirk’s ketch is also an aft cockpit, and we’ve been on board it a number of times. If I recall his boom is high enough to stand. At least for shorter guys like you and me.

Just purchased a 56′ Bruce Roberts ketch center cockpit, I do not know the first thing about sailing, been a power boater all my life, but it looked like fun and she’s a beautiful lady

Congratulations! How hard can it (sailing) be, right? 🙂

I just love the looks of a Ketch! One thing I will say is that modern Sailing is trying to get people to go faster. In this caffeinated world we don’t need that. Most people get into sailing to get away from the caffeinated world and then buy into a caffeinated kind of racing sailing. I’m of the opinion that sailing is all about being present and enjoying the moment. And to me that means having the ability to take your time and set your sail plan accordingly. It seems that a ketch is more forgiving and allows one to hoist the main while jib and jiggering which means that you can amble along and take it all in. Benefit, I think so !!!

I agree. We came to enjoy the flexibility that the ketch rig afforded us.

I have sailed a Bill Garden design CT 41 Ketch for some 17 years. It is a safe versatile rig that will always get you home. Main with 2 reef points, mizzen with one reef point, jib, inner staysail, 150 Genoa, a down wind symmetrical spinnaker and a 1000 square foot asymmetrical 1.5 oz. flatter cut light air spinnaker with an ATN sock. All sails are Hanked on and this combination provides us with solutions for all kinds of wind and desired headings. Down wind with Genoa and main wing on wing or perhaps the spinnaker. Reaching with main, mizzen and a choice of head sails. We almost always fly the inner staysail and mizzen. The 150 Genoa provides power and tacks easily with the inner staysail in place. The huge flatter cut asymmetrical is amazing reaching in light air. The ATN sock is a must as the 1000 square foot of sail is a handful. The innerstay and mizzen provide great balance with reduced sail area in a storm and provide stability when motor sailing. Yes we don’t point as high and with a heavy displacement full keel we are not speedy, our best being 8.4 knots with 4 sails up, but we are easily managed in most situations, a pleasure to sail even shorthanded and so comfortable at anchor with an easy motion underway. Everyone has opinions about the best rig but it comes down to which set of compromises are best for you. David

Thanks for sharing, David.

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What’s in a Rig? The Ketch

By: Pat Reynolds Sailboat Rigs , Sailboats

What’s in a Rig Series #4

Ketch rigs hold a special place in many a cruising sailor’s heart. There’s something dignified and majestic about them. They are two masted rigs with a main mast and a (smaller) mizzenmast – they carry a jib just like a sloop. Generally, ketches will be in the 40-plus foot range. The reasoning for this is that before sailing hardware and gizmotology (yes, we invented a word) was as advanced as it is now, designers were looking for ways to carry a good amount of sail, but make it manageable at the same time. This configuration served that purpose and while doing so also gave sailors quite a few options for various weather conditions and situations.

Ketch rig sailors speak of the balance that can be achieved with adjusting the various sails in a multitude of ways. There’s a more nuanced control that is achievable through the assortment of trimming permutations. Some take pride in the ability to lock the helm and steer the boat using just the relationship of the multiple sails.

Like cutter rigs, ketch advocates also sing praises for its characteristics in heavier winds. Many will break down the mainsail and go with the mizzen and foresail combo, which can make for a balanced and comfortable ride in more blustery conditions. Factor in reefing and there are a lot of options to depower and find the perfect amount of canvas to fly.

Many fans of the ketch will speak of the mizzenmast as a trusty old friend. It can help stabilize the boat under power, even act like a poor man’s bow thruster at times (a very poor man by the way). And for cruisers, it can also be utilized for more industrious purposes like using it as a crane to pick up a dinghy or some other heavy something or other. You’ll also see many wind generators, antennas and other stuff mounted on mizzenmasts because of their natural excellent positioning for such things.

So the ketch is a definitely a great choice for short-handed cruisers. It has many practical benefits and let’s face it – a pretty ketch, fully rigged and sailing peacefully on a beam-reach, heading somewhere better than where it was…that’s a defining image of what sailboat cruising is. Photo Pat Reynolds.

What's in a Rig Series:

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Turn Your Curiosity Into Discovery

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40 facts about elektrostal.

Written by Lanette Mayes

Modified & Updated: 02 Mar 2024

Reviewed by Jessica Corbett

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Key Takeaways:

• Elektrostal, known as the “Motor City of Russia,” is a vibrant and growing city with a rich industrial history, offering diverse cultural experiences and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability.
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Elektrostal, a city located in the Moscow Oblast region of Russia, earned the nickname “Motor City” due to its significant involvement in the automotive industry.

Home to the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

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Boasts a rich industrial heritage.

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Founded in 1916.

The city of Elektrostal was founded in 1916 as a result of the construction of the Elektrostal Metallurgical Plant.

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Provides a high standard of healthcare.

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Home to the Elektrostal History Museum.

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Electric power played a significant role in its early development.

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Houses the Elektrostal Drama Theater.

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Popular destination for winter sports.

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Hosts an annual International Film Festival.

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Home to notable sports teams.

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Boasts a vibrant nightlife scene.

Residents and visitors can enjoy a lively nightlife in Elektrostal, with numerous bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Promotes cultural exchange and international relations.

Elektrostal actively engages in international partnerships, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic collaborations to foster global connections.

Surrounded by beautiful nature reserves.

Nearby nature reserves, such as the Barybino Forest and Luchinskoye Lake, offer opportunities for nature enthusiasts to explore and appreciate the region’s biodiversity.

Commemorates historical events.

The city pays tribute to significant historical events through memorials, monuments, and exhibitions, ensuring the preservation of collective memory.

Promotes sports and youth development.

Elektrostal invests in sports infrastructure and programs to encourage youth participation, health, and physical fitness.

Hosts annual cultural and artistic festivals.

Throughout the year, Elektrostal celebrates its cultural diversity through festivals dedicated to music, dance, art, and theater.

Provides a picturesque landscape for photography enthusiasts.

The city’s scenic beauty, architectural landmarks, and natural surroundings make it a paradise for photographers.

Connects to Moscow via a direct train line.

The convenient train connection between Elektrostal and Moscow makes commuting between the two cities effortless.

A city with a bright future.

Elektrostal continues to grow and develop, aiming to become a model city in terms of infrastructure, sustainability, and quality of life for its residents.

In conclusion, Elektrostal is a fascinating city with a rich history and a vibrant present. From its origins as a center of steel production to its modern-day status as a hub for education and industry, Elektrostal has plenty to offer both residents and visitors. With its beautiful parks, cultural attractions, and proximity to Moscow, there is no shortage of things to see and do in this dynamic city. Whether you’re interested in exploring its historical landmarks, enjoying outdoor activities, or immersing yourself in the local culture, Elektrostal has something for everyone. So, next time you find yourself in the Moscow region, don’t miss the opportunity to discover the hidden gems of Elektrostal.

Q: What is the population of Elektrostal?

A: As of the latest data, the population of Elektrostal is approximately XXXX.

Q: How far is Elektrostal from Moscow?

A: Elektrostal is located approximately XX kilometers away from Moscow.

Q: Are there any famous landmarks in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to several notable landmarks, including XXXX and XXXX.

Q: What industries are prominent in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal is known for its steel production industry and is also a center for engineering and manufacturing.

Q: Are there any universities or educational institutions in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal is home to XXXX University and several other educational institutions.

Q: What are some popular outdoor activities in Elektrostal?

A: Elektrostal offers several outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, and picnicking in its beautiful parks.

Q: Is Elektrostal well-connected in terms of transportation?

A: Yes, Elektrostal has good transportation links, including trains and buses, making it easily accessible from nearby cities.

Q: Are there any annual events or festivals in Elektrostal?

A: Yes, Elektrostal hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, including XXXX and XXXX.

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Strange Glow Over Moscow Skies Triggers Panic as Explosions Reported

B right flashes lit up the night sky in southern Moscow in the early hours of Thursday morning, new footage appears to show, following reports of an explosion at an electrical substation on the outskirts of the city.

Video snippets circulating on Russian-language Telegram channels show a series of flashes on the horizon of a cloudy night sky, momentarily turning the sky a number of different colors. In a clip shared by Russian outlet MSK1.ru, smoke can be seen rising from a building during the flashes lighting up the scene.

Newsweek was unable to independently verify the details of the video clips, including when and where it was filmed. The Russian Ministry of Emergency situations has been contacted via email.

Several Russian Telegram accounts said early on Thursday that residents of southern Moscow reported an explosion and a fire breaking out at an electrical substation in the Leninsky district, southeast of central Moscow.

Local authorities in the Leninsky district told Russian outlet RBC that the explosion had happened in the village of Molokovo. "All vital facilities are operating as normal," Leninsky district officials told the outlet.

The incident at the substation in Molokovo took place just before 2 a.m. local time, MSK1.ru reported.

Messages published by the ASTRA Telegram account, run by independent Russian journalists, appear to show residents close to the substation panicking as they question the bright flashes in the sky. One local resident describes seeing the bright light before losing access to electricity, with another calling the incident a "nightmare."

More than 10 villages and towns in the southeast of Moscow lost access to electricity, the ASTRA Telegram account also reported. The town of Lytkarino to the southeast of Moscow, lost electricity, wrote the eastern European-based independent outlet, Meduza.

Outages were reported in the southern Domodedovo area of the city, according to another Russian outlet, as well as power failures in western Moscow. Electricity was then restored to the areas, the Strana.ua outlet reported.

The cause of the reported explosion is not known. A Telegram account aggregating news for the Lytkarino area described the incident as "an ordinary accident at a substation."

The MSK1.ru outlet quoted a local resident who speculated that a drone may have been responsible for the explosion, but no other Russian source reported this as a possible cause.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Moscow with long-range aerial drones in recent months, including a dramatic wave of strikes in late May.

On Sunday, Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said the region's air defense systems had intercepted an aerial drone over the city of Elektrostal, to the east of Moscow. No damage or casualties were reported, he said.

The previous day, Russian air defenses detected and shot down another drone flying over the Bogorodsky district, northeast of central Moscow, Sobyanin said.

There is currently no evidence that an aerial drone was responsible for the reported overnight explosion at the electrical substation in southern Moscow.

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