Thank you, Rob, for this explanation. So rudders on the beams could have worked on BD, one way or another?
Luc
--- In harryproa@yahoogroups.com.au, Rob Denney <harryproa@...> wrote:
>
> The load from the sails on a schooner rig increases lee helm the further
> apart they are, as the front rig does more work/has more sheet loads.
> There needs to be enough foil in the water to resist leeway, which is solely
> a function of sail area and hull shape, not rig location. If the rudders
> are smaller than this, there needs to be a board or keel. If the rudders
> are large enough and both are going to be used it doesn't matter how close
> to the ends they are, apart from non sailing reasons. Some of these are
> access, tiller length and hull strength.
>
> I like rudders on the beams for safety and ease of construction, and the
> beams close together to minimise water drag, tensioning the tramp and
> reducing the length of hull that needs reinforcing. So everything is
> related, and not always just to optimise the sailing performance.
>
> There are a few generalities in the above, but it pretty much conveys my
> experience with the schooner rig in El. The owner of the KSS El is putting
> 3 mast steps in his boat, so we may get some feedback on schooners in the
> bigger sizes.
>
> rob
>