Submitted on May 23, 2006 by Tim Stringer

Question: I sail a Sonata trailer sailer, what I would like to know is if it would be an effective option to rig up a mizzen sail. If so, how large should it be.

Tim Stringer

Answer: Hi Tim,

If the boat was not designed for a Mizzen mast, it probably won't help to rig one. The sail plan has to be balanced with the rudder and keel (or centerboard in your case). Adding a sail aft of the original sail plan will just put more sideways load on the rudder and will most likely slow the boat down on any angle with the wind on or forward of the beam. Directly downwind it might add a small amount of extra boatspeed, but certainly not enough to make up for the weight and complexity of another mast and boom.

Regards,
Dan Neri

Email North Sails with your question today!

<-- Go BACK to Solutions for Sailors Main Page.