Submitted on October 5, 2005 by John Ringrose

Question: Hi, I have sailed a great deal but never a ketch. I am considering buying one. Can you give me any tips hints or general advice on sailing a ketch as opposed to a Bermudan sloop. I understand the principals etc but as I say I have no experience of one but understand they can be good for cruising etc.

I would appreciate any advice or a pointing towards material I should read up on.

Thanking you,
John Ringrose
Vîjryu

Answer: Hi John,

If you have sailed a boat with a sloop rig, you will have no trouble sailing a boat with a ketch rig. However, each boat is different and you might find conditions where the boat you choose does better with the mizzen sail reefed or flaked on the boom completely. The main reason that Ketches are popular with some cruising sailors is that they offer more options for sail combinations. In particular, many ketches balance well in heavy weather conditions using a "jib and jigger" rig- working headsail and single reefed mizzen, with the mainsail lowered completely

Regards,
Dan Neri

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