I'm building an 18' Superpelican. I'm toying with several possible rigs. First of all, the standard rig. I'm thinking that an alternative might be fun to try. Idea #2 is Lug rig from the Jim Michalak's Jewelbox design. The Jewelbox 2 has a similar underwater shape and size as the larger Pelicans. Idea #3 is the junk rig. I've never sailed a junk rig, and it looks like it might be fun. Anyone out there with experience on junk rigs, or other alternate rigs for the Pelican?
I put a junk rig on "Dowser"(20') and it has worked quite well. She points to 45 degrees off the wind, beam reaches fast and runs fast and easy. This is on a lake in 20 kts of wind and less, so I can't speak to how it works in heavy air or any seas at all.The rig is hugely powerful. I found junk rig very easy to sail and a snap to reef(drop a panel or two and sheet in). Setting it up initially to get good sail shape and have good sheet leads when reefed was not so easy. Maybe my years as a rigger made getting into a totally different way of thinking harder. I'd recommend looking at Hasler's book for reference. Jeff
As far as I understand there is not a terrible lot of difference between a junk rig and a lug. My GP (built by someone more competent than myself) has a fully battened main like a junk, but it doesn't have the sheetlets that many larger junks do. In other words there is one sheet from the boom.
I guess true junk rigs do not require standing rigging, which is nice and may be cost saving and less cumbersome in snotty weather.
The full length battens on my boat really help retain sail shape; they allow for exceptional off wind points of sail. I think I get to 45-50 deg off the wind and closer with the jib. Jibing is safer because of ample sail area in front of the mast.
Plus, In my reading I've come across tons of accolade bestowed on junk rigs for various reasons. Nate
