Submitted on September 21, 2003 by Mike Milton

Question: I recently acquired a Reynolds 21' sailing cat. The boat had sat idle for quite a few years and had been pirated of some rigging. It has a reaching sail. Do you have any information available on how it should be rigged?

Answer: Hi Mike,

The tack of the reaching sail on a very fast catamaran should be set on the centerline, because the boat's speed will bring the apparent wind angle forward in all but the lightest conditions. On a heavier catamaran, the sail can be set to windward of the centerline to allow you to sail deeper angles when the boat is moving slowly. The sail can be tacked to the forward cross beam, or on a bridle between the two bows if the forward crossbeam is too far aft. The sheet lead should be far enough forward that the angle of the sheet bisets the clew of the sail.

Regards,
Dan Neri

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