Wishbone rig
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A wishbone rig, sometimes also known as fishbone ketch, is a type of rigging on
sailboats A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture. Types Although sailboat terminology ...
. This rigging is most popular on heavy two-masted vessels. The rig gets its name from the wishbone, a V or Y shaped bone similar to the rig's gaff. A
ketch A ketch is a two- masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch fr ...
rigged in this fashion is called wishbone ketch. Examples of wishbone-rigged boats include the '' Zawisza Czarny'' and the ''
Norda ''Norda'' is a wooden sailing vessel that was commissioned in 1928, originally used as a research vessel in Poland. It served as research vessel, fishing vessel and is now a yacht. History Research vessel The vessel was commissioned in 1928 by M ...
''.


Definition

A wishbone ketch rigged vessel is a vessel that is rigged as a
ketch A ketch is a two- masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch fr ...
where a permanent splitting gaff is mounted between two masts. Contrary to the
gaff rig Gaff rig is a sailing rig (configuration of sails, mast and stays) in which the sail is four-cornered, fore-and-aft rigged, controlled at its peak and, usually, its entire head by a spar (pole) called the ''gaff''. Because of the size and shap ...
(where the gaff is hoisted together with the sail) the gaff stays in the mast. The gaff is typically fixed on the first mast (the one closer to the front) and fixed via a line to the aftmost mast. These lines allow the sail to be trimmed to suit the wind.


Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages: * Easier to hoist the sail than with a
gaff rig Gaff rig is a sailing rig (configuration of sails, mast and stays) in which the sail is four-cornered, fore-and-aft rigged, controlled at its peak and, usually, its entire head by a spar (pole) called the ''gaff''. Because of the size and shap ...
* Offers a large sail area (advantageous in light winds) - the entire area between the masts can be covered Disadvantages: * Potential dangerous situation in case of unplanned
jibe A jibe (US) or gybe (Britain) is a sailing maneuver whereby a sailing vessel reaching downwind turns its stern through the wind, which then exerts its force from the opposite side of the vessel. Because the mainsail boom can swing acros ...
, therefore difficult to use in broad reach (see points of sail) * Puts significant strain on the top of the aft most mast * Additional weight high in the mast (although this rig is generally used only on heavy boats)


See also

* Sail-plan *
Ketch A ketch is a two- masted sailboat whose mainmast is taller than the mizzen mast (or aft-mast), and whose mizzen mast is stepped forward of the rudder post. The mizzen mast stepped forward of the rudder post is what distinguishes the ketch fr ...
{{Sailing Vessels and Rigs Sailing rigs and rigging Ship types Sailboat types