The classic gaff rigged UK Bristol Channel pilot cutters would set out in for many miles in all weathers to find inbound ships. The crew would be two people a master/pilot and a hand - often a boy. When they found a ship the pilot would go aboard the ship and the 'boy' would bring the cutter back to port alone. These pilot cutters were big, rugged and fast vessels. I find that staggering, and it speaks volumes for the sailing skills of the day but also the adaptability of the gaff rig. Thanks for the video it was inspiring.
Thank you for producing this video. Though I'm a professional modelbuilder, I needed further information to help with a colonial diorama I'm building for a client -circa 1790s. This greatly helped. My glass is raised to you, sir.
Lovely explanation. Another advantage of an old gaffer is most harbour masters will give you the best berth in harbour or marina. I've been into French ports and they've moved modern boats off the town quay so the old gaffer can tie up along side. Makes to port look so much prettier.
Right on - well done! I came looking for the basics of sailing a gaff rig and found exactly that thanks to your approach and style. Refreshing to listen to a sailor talk about sailing so knowledgeably and not make it about themselves or anything else. Thanks!
I know I'm late to the party but I had always wanted to know how this rig works--thanks so much for sharing! In an age of photogenic Instagram influencers making sailing videos to show off their bikinis, it's a rare pleasure to find a sailing channel that's actually about sailing!
Having spent all my sailing life with bermudan rigs this video unravelled the mysteries of gaff rigs for me very nicely. Your slow explanation made everything easy to digest......many thanks
I just become custodian of a beautiful old gaff rig 26ft ketch , I’ve never sailed or sailed on a gaffer before this boat, thank you for your instructions they will be invaluable
Thanks for putting this knowledge out there! I'm learning to sail a small gaff rig and your videos are very helpful and entertaining. I definitely agree that gaffers are just freaking cooler! Cheers from Australia!
Hi, I have a 24ft gaffer , I have been unable to sail her for several years and am quite rusty but this video was perfect to open up the little grey cells again. Will now watch your other videos with anticipation of getting back on the water. Many thanks Lloyd - Cornish Crabber mk1 - 'Gilda'.
I almost groaned and stopped watching as you started naming the parts of the mainsail...then it got real interesting, real quick! A great video and I'm now subscribed.
Thanks for posting, wishing you fair winds. I made my first serious trip on a Colin Archer (RS 32 Kragerø, 47' ketch, built in 1920) across the Skagerrak in late September, to the annual Gaffelrig Seminar in Fredrikstad, Norway. She sailed steady and without drama in wind averaging 30 kn, gusting 40, and 3 - 5m seas. What a boat! She served for 40 years as a rescue vessel along the Norwegian coast, and in the days before radio, she would put to sea whenever it began to blow, to safeguard the sailors of the fishing fleet.
Max respect Kevin. That is indeed quite labor intensive, but as you imply -- a Bermuda rig will never be as cool. I'm going to try to get myself invited aboard one for an outing. Thanks for posting this.
Many thanks Kevin. Likewise, if you ever want to come this way to work on your French, I'd be delighted to take you out --- I promise to turn the engine off once clear of the channel!
I picked up my first gaffer last spring and out of the six boats I own she's the most fun and fastest. She goes like stink and is even faster than my Cygnus 20. This is a great video. Looks like it was released just weeks after I had it all figured out. lol
Great video Kevin. And some gaff rig pros and cons well presented. Single handed skipper on a gaffer well be well muscled, nimble of foot and saltier on an order of magnitude than his bermuda counterpart . Keep these videos coming, please.
Thanks, Kevin. I am about 2/3 through building what will be a gaff-rigged boat (22 foot lapstrake daysailer with small cuddy)...even though I have never actually seen a gaffer in person. I have found virtually nothing out there on how to sail one of these creatures. If a picture's worth a thousand words, a video is worth 100 times that. It was extremely helpful to see the topping lift in action, the raising of the gaff, and the reefing system and its components, all nicely demonstrated.
As a land-lubbing Mainer with aspirations to sail, I've really enjoyed your videos, and have watched all that I can find. They are educational and informative. Its great to see that Hamilton Marine T-shirt too. I drive past them almost every day. Please keep the videos coming, and thank you very much!
So true. I'm the owner of a gaff rigged Colin Archer derivative, and a holistic thinker, who is going insane looking for more than the stock standard "breasts & Bermuda rig bs" videos - seen one, seen em all. My philosophy evolved from books like Voyaging On A Small Income, Sailing The Farm (can be downloaded for free), The Sailmaker's Apprentice and Seaworthiness; The Forgotten Factor. I'm amazed...utterly shocked...at how little practical information I've found on UA-cam. What is this place...Hollywood??? Above all else I want to actually LEARN and see people learning the dying art of self-reliance. So thanks Kevin!
Thank you Mr. Boothby. I started watching your channel some months back, and have now consumed all you have posted. This video is a prime example of what I so enjoy from your episodes: a knowledgeable and well presented discussion of some aspect of sailing, with pros and cons, and some extra character throw in for good measure. Thanks for all you do!!
I have to agree with you Gaffers are just Freckin cool! My dad got me Interested in the schooners of the Grand Banks and they were gaff rigged. And when you see a gaff over the horizon you know that is one cool boat! I love your traditional rig and that you shared it wit us. Take care,
I still have vivid memories of the Shenandoah coming into Great Salt Pond (Block Island) under full sail, rounding up and dropping anchor on crowded weekends, no engine. Seeing stuff like that can change your life ...
If you ever get the chance to see "Captains Courageous " 1937 with Spencer Tracy the race at the end with the big schooner burying the Lee rail... Man that is riveting!! Take care,
Hi Kevin..... I agree completely and have stopped for the same reason.....oops I forgot your boat was a double ender.....beautiful but that would be one limitation...... I’m reinstalling my topping lifts and leaving my gallows alone based on your advice......Thanks very much......i sail the Maine coast between hauling traps and would very much enjoy meeting you someday......keep up the great work and enjoy yourself.....i know it’s VERY hard work but totally worth it.....cheers....Stott
Another advantage of gaff rig is that you can, with care, reef the mainsail while sailing downwind. This means you don't need to round-up into a stiff wind and choppy sea to lower the main, you can stay pretty much on course.
Thanks for this explanation of the gaf sail. I did some sailing in the Netherlands with a flatbottum boats. These were also commecial boats for canals and sea.I was a deckhand in summertime, for the hands on work. Thanks, and be safe out there.
This was useful in my first sailboat purchase. Ultimately gaff or sloop will not be the main factor in picking a boat but the aspect ratio relating to upwind performance was super helpful. I've crewed bigger sailboats for years and didn't know that.
Fantastic video. I'm fairly new to sailing and recently purchased a Cornish Shrimper 19 Gaff, so this video was so insightful on how I can expect the boat to behave. Thank you.
Really useful, thanks. Have recently become the proud owner of a Cornish Crabber 17 with a gaff rig. Your video has ratcheted me a few more steps up my learning curve.
Eloquent, thoughtful analysis of gaffe rigged sailing. Man overboard in rough seas obviously not so good if you can’t swim, but in calmer seas my catboat will round up and put the brakes on pretty quick and probably start sailing back to pick me up! Look me up on Nantucket some day!
Hey, thanks for that info. I’ve done a lot of sailing and ocean cruising. I have owned sloops, a true cutter, and a ketch. My student’s often ask me what I like best. My stock answer is yes. I like them all. Everything is a trade off. My ketch was a fairly heave 46 footer and I really liked the ketch to spread the area and keep mast height down. They all work! Never have owned or extensively sailed a gaffer. Good info!
I really enjoyed this video and your synopsis of the benefits of gaffers. Years ago my brother owned a gaffer called the Oscar Tybring and she was designed to take all the sea could offer. Her rigging was extremely stout and the gaff very heavy. I really enjoyed sailing her when the winds piped up. Your videos take me back in time when I sailed without engine and electronics. Somewhere I got lost in technology and sophistication and diminished the true essence of sailing. Keep your videos coming.
Nice video. Thanks! I just bought a 15 meter gaffe rigged schooner. These are invaluable lessons for me. Thank you. We will sail it from France to Florida next year.
Thank you for this. Trying to figure out the ins and outs of old sailing for a decent pirate era game and for the life of me I never knew how these sails worked. I'm so used to square sails on viking era shallow draft hulls that this threw me for a loop. Thanks for the info and demonstration! Accuracy is key in all design.
. One advantage I found with a gaffer was that with the large and low mainsail there is rarely a need for a spinaker which relieves the skipper of recruiting two more hands , and the rig largely self adjusts.
Thanks for this primer on gaff rigs. To me it just seems you had to have a half dozen experienced sailors on board to manoevre such boats as Errol Flynn´s "Zaka". I remember my grandfather telling me a story that even Mr. Flynn´s father from Australia jumped ship after one hell of a dangerous ride from Mexico to Jamaica with six competent crewmen on board. My grandfather knew what he was talking about; at the time he skippered a sea scout boat in Greenwich...the best of the young boys were winnowed "in" to join on bigger boats from the NYYC that raced to Bermuda...those were the days!
Yes, those were the days. As far as crew size, it really depends on the size of the boat. Larger boats indeed require a lot of muscle, all gaffers require know-how.
Wow!!! I been looking for this for a wile ..lol love it it's so easy to understand the way this works..I'm about to get a 1970..tahiti ketch..and I really have yust a few hours of experiance in this kind of rig ..love it now I don t feel over whelmed..that k you sir..
@@howtosailoceans1423 thanks my man..it means a lot your comment..this been my childs dream ..nd is hard when every one you love nd care kills a boner ..bro any how I'm doing it ..I pull the trigger..have to redo the interior .on her but not an issue been around building all source of things..over 30 years..got lot to learn..ur videos are the ones teaching me how too..thank you sososossssso MUCH..!!! She's like your bout..Tahiti ketch 28/30footer..70s the Hall is dry solid..have great sails ..
Yep, gaffers are just cooler. Last summer I had the joy of a week in a 1930s gaff cruiser, inland. In November I was offered a 50 year old wooden gunter rig dinghy, restored it and sail it in Lake District.
Building a gaff rigged yawl aluminum frame for an inflatable, I decided to just raise each gaff with one lead. The leach on the main sail is only about 56" so ya it's not a large sail by any means, but there is a 1/2 size mizzen sail as well as a jib sail that's roughly in between the main and mizzen sail in surface area. I have no skill with boat building, sail construction or sailing in general, my only boating experience is limited to canoes and inflatables and total time in both collectively is about 100 hours at best, still, I'm confident in my design and staining of the wooden rudder and lee boards as well as sail construction is all that's left to do as the entire framework, rigging, jib furler and steering mechanism is FINALLY completed. ty for this tutorial. =)
This is great! You make it look so easy! The boom and gaff on my 40ft Colin Archer cutter are around 28ft long and solid wood. Quite a chore to raise I can tell you. I would love some more how to vids on gaff sail trimming for various points of sail, especially downwind and how to prevent an accidental gybe. 😃👍
Excellent😃👍. I can't wait! If I may suggest something, any video on gaff rig handling, especially trim, and how to do it solo will be much appreciated. There's hardly anything to be found on youtube regarding the subject. Keep it up, you're an inspiration! That beong said, it will be a long time before I could solo sail our 41ft wooden gaff pilot cutter. 🙂
Amazing. Bravo! Probably hundreds of dollars of books worth in a live action video. Educational and inspiring as well. As somesome with very little sailing experience, I encounter gaff rigs through online research. Now if I am ever lucky enough to be on board one I will at least have the first clue.
OK..I'm convinced. For long distance cruising vs racing, the gaff rig may well be the best choice. Michael Kasten makes a case for the short -gaffed rig in that it requires only one halyard and affords a longer luff. Thanks for the great commentary.
Btw, there is an additional level to reach when it comes to scandalizing the mainsail. Old sailtrawlers would also haul up the tack of the sail in addition or in stead of lowering the peak. (requires a variable tack downhaul and what is essentially a halyard for the tack as well.) This method would be somewhat faster to recover from when you want to go back to full sail area, especially on larger mainsails where you might need to work the halyard a bit to get it peaked properly.
@@750count If your gaffer is rigged to use a topsail you already have a halyard available as you probably won't ever scandalize the main with a topsail hoisted at the same time. Having the mainsail laced to the mast is also very handy, if you use fixed hoops you are going to need to play with the topping lift a lot more to get the boom up if you want to haul the tack up.
Thanks. Excellent material. I have just bought a Gaff rig Falmouth Oyster punt in Cornwall UK. Need to learn about reefing. Could have done with a close up of the hook going into reef line cringlr. Cheers.
Great video, thanks I'm building an rc pilot cutter with a gaff rig and I will use you video as point of reference when I get to rigging and sails, I'm brand new to radio control, its just a much smaller version. 👍👍👍👍
Great video. If I heard you correctly your last four words were "imprimatur of the sea." Gotta say I agree completely. Gaffers in a sense define sailing for me. Perhaps "Imprimatur" will be the name of my next boat. :-)
And viola! great vid, thx for sharing the knowledge on hoisting gaff rig...now I will coil down and go to sleep. sleep and maybe dream about gaff riged sailboats
I really enjoyed your presentation, maybe because I do prefer a gaffer, they are well proven over time to be what you said they are, , The Grandbanks schooners are a case in point, thank you for a worthy video from Goolwa . south Australia
Why are traditional-looking gaffer sails often red or reddish brown? Great vids by the way! You are honest and authentic...refreshing traits rarely found on UA-cam.
Thanks. Originally sails were dyed with tanbark to preserve the cotton, but nowadays done for looks ... but maybe not, several sailors, myself included, find that dyed dacron sails last longer than white ones. The theory is that the dye acts as a UV filter, and UV is the main enemy of dacron cloth.
Great presentation. sailing my first Gaffer this past summer and boy is it a different experience; and I just love it. Slapping my forehead on raising the stopping lift on the wizard side to reef - Great tip! I would love to watch more performance and trimming videos if you are up for it. Also I am considering modifying my Marshall 22 sloop to either add another foresail or a topsail. I'd have to build my own rig for that, but I would be great to see some videos on that as well. Best to you and yours. Steve
I can recall buildin a gaff setup. Being a young guy(not much money)I found an abandoned boat with the mast(wood)lying on the ground. I tied it to the roof of my datsun and carted it to my girlfriends where(after a stop for some wire and clamps)I got it rigged up. Then to the boat with it then a trip to the pier (yes me and a buddy lifted it with some rope and managed to stand it without a crane).There was a close call as it tipped toward a lady who was standing on the pier watching. But we did stand it up. The wire was cheap galvy but the thing sailed me hundreds of miles without a problem. I remember outrunning a Catalina 30 so it worked well for many years. Walt SB and Port San Luis
Excellent content. Have watched a couple of your earlier videos and all are fun and informative. Just subscribed due to your knowledge and joy in sharing pure sailing. I learned on a gaffe rigged nettle cat almost 60 years ago so your vessel brings back many happy memories. Please keep up the good work as you enjoy your travels.
Thanks very much Kevin ....I agree it’s hard to get boom into gallows in rough conditions.....my gallows are aft and yours are midship....can you discuss the difference and why you chose your location.....it looks like a good safety feature to be able grab those handholds...also where did y obtain the bronze hardware for the gallows..". Thanks so very much....Stott. Ps could you do a video on tips for handling the main topsail....thanks again
Hi Stott, the previous owner installed the gallows. I would rather have them aft, but that's kinda tough on a double-ender. I've stopped flying a topsail, just too much hassle, but it really does give you a boost in light air. General procedure is get your windvane set, then raise the topsail on the lee side of the main. Once you get the yard two-blocked at the masthead, crank down on the downhaul, then sheet it. To take it down, reverse the procedure. Watch out for squalls ...
I'm a newbie and thank you for your tutorial!!! I agree, Gaffers are just there with the cool factor...in the same way I am an old car junkie...in my mind, auto production ended in 1971....unless you are in the America's Cup, who wouldn't want a beautiful wooden Gaffer....I'm of the mind keep it simple stupid...and a Gaffer looks like you could fix any breakdown with some duck tape, a little binder twine and some body english
I saild a gaffkutter for years with great plesure. No greater fun to sail halfwind into the bay of Kiel with a topsail! Every one there thinks to bee faster than an old gaffer. They did imagine! For the top of the topsai, l used a ligthweight aluminium bar. Its a bit triky to handle it, but I hat never problems
I love gaffers. They are a beautiful thing to see when under way. Well done on this whole video. I really enjoyed it. The boat I am restoring is a Bermuda rig but I have always been a huge lover of catboats and even bought the plans for one. Maybe someday. Enjoy your gaffer. Again, great video. (S/V Little Girl)
In combo with the recent drone footage, this is a Gaff 101 class. Well done Kevin! Can't believe you single-hand this 24/7 over oceans, AND find a way to film it. The proper technical (actually, nautical) terminology for all aspects was superb - not a single whosit/whatsit/doodad used. I learned something, potentially valuable one-day, this evening!
Thanks for the interesting video. I learned sailing on a polyvalk, that is a gaff-rigged open boat, about 6,50m long, very popular in the Netherlands. The sail handling is basically the same as you descri be here, it looks all very familiar. Having learned on a gaff-rig, switching to the common bermuda rig was very simple for me. :)
This is such a great video, thanks for explaining the pros and cons of the gaff rig, I noticed you sail solo on this video, I am planning to sail solo and wondered what size of boat would be favourable , some people tell me it would be good idea to have electric winches, but it seems like you can haul up these sails pretty easily although i guess it is down to fitness.?
A 31-foot boat (8 ton) is no problem. I would say if the boat is over 20 tons you may have some challenges sailing solo without powered winches, or a crew, especially if it is traditionally rigged, e.g. a gaffer.
Great stuff😎. I love a gaffer although I’ve never been on one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I may make a trip to England where gaffers are still everywhere.
Another advantage is that the sail can in principle be raised or lowered on any point of sailing, and if you need to drop it in a squall the weight of the gaff brings it straight down. No need to be completely head to wind. I can't bear to watch Bermudan boats having to come up top the wind whilst the crew struggle to pull canvas down a track.
You explained the gaff rig very well, with good use of actual real time demonstration footage and some graphics. Well done! So now I understand how the gaff mainsail and mizzen are rigged, how about doing an explanation of the various fore sails and particularly the sails rigged forward on the end of the bowsprit . Since many gaff rigged vessels have a bow sprit.
Kevin, Your gaff rig is fascinating. I sail a Burmuda rig. You've inspired me to think about switching. I'm curious though about the details of handling your backstays when jibing the main since it seems they could get in the way and potentially cause issues. I don't think I've seen that in detail in your videos I've watched thus far. If you can explain that process, or point me to a video, I would appreciate it...maybe others would too! Thanks!
I showed going through a jybe in rough weather in one of my recent vids "The wind is free, just not always what you want" ... it takes some practice, can be a little scary until you get used to it.
I just went back to this video again. I appreciate all of your points, and I particularly appreciate the origins, traditions, and the silhouette of a gaffer. I am curious about how Ruth Avery specifically became a gaffer. Was that your design? And are you aware of anyone else who has changed from a more modern rig to a more traditional gaff arrangement? And somewhere in there, at least for many, the running back stay becomes part of the debate? I guess I need to hunt you down and offer a beer for your reply. No need to do so here, just sharing my cogitation. Fair winds and thanks you for your channel!
Hi Charles, the previous owner gave her the gaff rig, though I later modified it--he had a very high peaked gaff which didn't work very well. Most people opt for the Bermudan rig these days as they are less work to manage.
We want more in-depth gaff handling, this is awesome!
Totally agree! This has been SUPER helpful! Keep up the good work!
The classic gaff rigged UK Bristol Channel pilot cutters would set out in for many miles in all weathers to find inbound ships. The crew would be two people a master/pilot and a hand - often a boy. When they found a ship the pilot would go aboard the ship and the 'boy' would bring the cutter back to port alone. These pilot cutters were big, rugged and fast vessels. I find that staggering, and it speaks volumes for the sailing skills of the day but also the adaptability of the gaff rig. Thanks for the video it was inspiring.
Thank you for producing this video. Though I'm a professional modelbuilder, I needed further information to help with a colonial diorama I'm building for a client -circa 1790s. This greatly helped. My glass is raised to you, sir.
Agreed!!! Nothing so cool as a gaffer sailing by!!!
Any sail is cool though.. But gaffers are the real deal.
Lovely explanation. Another advantage of an old gaffer is most harbour masters will give you the best berth in harbour or marina. I've been into French ports and they've moved modern boats off the town quay so the old gaffer can tie up along side. Makes to port look so much prettier.
Yes, and sometimes dockage rates are lower for gaffers ...
Right on - well done! I came looking for the basics of sailing a gaff rig and found exactly that thanks to your approach and style. Refreshing to listen to a sailor talk about sailing so knowledgeably and not make it about themselves or anything else. Thanks!
I know I'm late to the party but I had always wanted to know how this rig works--thanks so much for sharing! In an age of photogenic Instagram influencers making sailing videos to show off their bikinis, it's a rare pleasure to find a sailing channel that's actually about sailing!
Having spent all my sailing life with bermudan rigs this video unravelled the mysteries of gaff rigs for me very nicely. Your slow explanation made everything easy to digest......many thanks
I always wondered how your beautiful boat works. Now you told us and the end result is a beautiful sight. Cheers love your boat.
I just become custodian of a beautiful old gaff rig 26ft ketch , I’ve never sailed or sailed on a gaffer before this boat, thank you for your instructions they will be invaluable
Thanks for putting this knowledge out there! I'm learning to sail a small gaff rig and your videos are very helpful and entertaining. I definitely agree that gaffers are just freaking cooler! Cheers from Australia!
Hi, I have a 24ft gaffer , I have been unable to sail her for several years and am quite rusty but this video was perfect to open up the little grey cells again. Will now watch your other videos with anticipation of getting back on the water.
Many thanks
Lloyd - Cornish Crabber mk1 - 'Gilda'.
Yes, I've seen the Cornish Crabber in photos, looks like a great little boat. Fair winds for when you cast off the docklines ...
I’m fairly new to sailing. This was one of the most encompassing approaches I ever seen here on the web.
Thank you so much for this information!!!
Thanks for that. I have plans for doing an update on this vid with better quality video.
I almost groaned and stopped watching as you started naming the parts of the mainsail...then it got real interesting, real quick! A great video and I'm now subscribed.
Thanks for subscribing, glad you stayed!
Thanks for posting, wishing you fair winds. I made my first serious trip on a Colin Archer (RS 32 Kragerø, 47' ketch, built in 1920) across the Skagerrak in late September, to the annual Gaffelrig Seminar in Fredrikstad, Norway. She sailed steady and without drama in wind averaging 30 kn, gusting 40, and 3 - 5m seas. What a boat! She served for 40 years as a rescue vessel along the Norwegian coast, and in the days before radio, she would put to sea whenever it began to blow, to safeguard the sailors of the fishing fleet.
Excellent! Reading that warmed my heart.
Max respect Kevin. That is indeed quite labor intensive, but as you imply -- a Bermuda rig will never be as cool. I'm going to try to get myself invited aboard one for an outing. Thanks for posting this.
Well if you're ever back on the Bay, consider yourself invited!
Many thanks Kevin. Likewise, if you ever want to come this way to work on your French, I'd be delighted to take you out --- I promise to turn the engine off once clear of the channel!
Negative on that--you're going to be filming docking under sail ha ha ...
We all recognize Kevin, that you are a man who likes to live dangerously. :-)
I picked up my first gaffer last spring and out of the six boats I own she's the most fun and fastest. She goes like stink and is even faster than my Cygnus 20.
This is a great video. Looks like it was released just weeks after I had it all figured out. lol
Great video Kevin. And some gaff rig pros and cons well presented. Single handed skipper on a gaffer well be well muscled,
nimble of foot and saltier on an order of magnitude than his bermuda counterpart . Keep these videos coming, please.
Thanks, Kevin. I am about 2/3 through building what will be a gaff-rigged boat (22 foot lapstrake daysailer with small cuddy)...even though I have never actually seen a gaffer in person. I have found virtually nothing out there on how to sail one of these creatures. If a picture's worth a thousand words, a video is worth 100 times that. It was extremely helpful to see the topping lift in action, the raising of the gaff, and the reefing system and its components, all nicely demonstrated.
As I was watching the video, I wondered about the pros/cons. Thanks for including that analysis
Thanks for stopping by..
You explained the rig quite clearly and should be easily understood by anyone not familiar with sailing. You would make a good teacher. Happy sailing.
As a land-lubbing Mainer with aspirations to sail, I've really enjoyed your videos, and have watched all that I can find. They are educational and informative. Its great to see that Hamilton Marine T-shirt too. I drive past them almost every day. Please keep the videos coming, and thank you very much!
Excellent told! This is so good, a mix of videos about sailing and how-to.
Thanks m8t (as you would say)!
So true. I'm the owner of a gaff rigged Colin Archer derivative, and a holistic thinker, who is going insane looking for more than the stock standard "breasts & Bermuda rig bs" videos - seen one, seen em all. My philosophy evolved from books like Voyaging On A Small Income, Sailing The Farm (can be downloaded for free), The Sailmaker's Apprentice and Seaworthiness; The Forgotten Factor. I'm amazed...utterly shocked...at how little practical information I've found on UA-cam. What is this place...Hollywood??? Above all else I want to actually LEARN and see people learning the dying art of self-reliance. So thanks Kevin!
Thank you Mr. Boothby. I started watching your channel some months back, and have now consumed all you have posted. This video is a prime example of what I so enjoy from your episodes: a knowledgeable and well presented discussion of some aspect of sailing, with pros and cons, and some extra character throw in for good measure. Thanks for all you do!!
Thanks for watching!
I have to agree with you Gaffers are just Freckin cool!
My dad got me
Interested in the schooners of the Grand Banks and they were gaff rigged. And when you see a gaff over the horizon you know that is one cool boat! I love your traditional rig and that you shared it wit us.
Take care,
I still have vivid memories of the Shenandoah coming into Great Salt Pond (Block Island) under full sail, rounding up and dropping anchor on crowded weekends, no engine. Seeing stuff like that can change your life ...
If you ever get the chance to see "Captains Courageous " 1937 with Spencer Tracy the race at the end with the big schooner burying the Lee rail...
Man that is riveting!!
Take care,
Yes, I've seen it, I think as a Turner classic ..
Hi Kevin..... I agree completely and have stopped for the same reason.....oops I forgot your boat was a double ender.....beautiful but that would be one limitation...... I’m reinstalling my topping lifts and leaving my gallows alone based on your advice......Thanks very much......i sail the Maine coast between hauling traps and would very much enjoy meeting you someday......keep up the great work and enjoy yourself.....i know it’s VERY hard work but totally worth it.....cheers....Stott
Love your content, actual explanations of how things work instead of just scenery shots. Many thanks.
Another advantage of gaff rig is that you can, with care, reef the mainsail while sailing downwind. This means you don't need to round-up into a stiff wind and choppy sea to lower the main, you can stay pretty much on course.
Thanks for this explanation of the gaf sail. I did some sailing in the Netherlands with a flatbottum boats. These were also commecial boats for canals and sea.I was a deckhand in summertime, for the hands on work. Thanks, and be safe out there.
This was useful in my first sailboat purchase. Ultimately gaff or sloop will not be the main factor in picking a boat but the aspect ratio relating to upwind performance was super helpful. I've crewed bigger sailboats for years and didn't know that.
Fantastic video. I'm fairly new to sailing and recently purchased a Cornish Shrimper 19 Gaff, so this video was so insightful on how I can expect the boat to behave. Thank you.
What a beautiful boat. Thank you so much for putting this video together
Really useful, thanks. Have recently become the proud owner of a Cornish Crabber 17 with a gaff rig. Your video has ratcheted me a few more steps up my learning curve.
Eloquent, thoughtful analysis of gaffe rigged sailing. Man overboard in rough seas obviously not so good if you can’t swim, but in calmer seas my catboat will round up and put the brakes on pretty quick and probably start sailing back to pick me up! Look me up on Nantucket some day!
Fine words and I appreciate your passion towards the forgotten rig. One that maes the best cruising rig available
Hey, thanks for that info. I’ve done a lot of sailing and ocean cruising. I have owned sloops, a true cutter, and a ketch. My student’s often ask me what I like best. My stock answer is yes. I like them all. Everything is a trade off. My ketch was a fairly heave 46 footer and I really liked the ketch to spread the area and keep mast height down. They all work! Never have owned or extensively sailed a gaffer. Good info!
Everything is a trade off, indeed, you pick the best compromise for your purposes. Fair winds.
I really enjoyed this video and your synopsis of the benefits of gaffers. Years ago my brother owned a gaffer called the Oscar Tybring and she was designed to take all the sea could offer. Her rigging was extremely stout and the gaff very heavy. I really enjoyed sailing her when the winds piped up. Your videos take me back in time when I sailed without engine and electronics. Somewhere I got lost in technology and sophistication and diminished the true essence of sailing. Keep your videos coming.
Nice video. Thanks! I just bought a 15 meter gaffe rigged schooner. These are invaluable lessons for me. Thank you. We will sail it from France to Florida next year.
I love what you're teaching and thank you most profusely, Sir.
Thank you for this. Trying to figure out the ins and outs of old sailing for a decent pirate era game and for the life of me I never knew how these sails worked. I'm so used to square sails on viking era shallow draft hulls that this threw me for a loop. Thanks for the info and demonstration! Accuracy is key in all design.
Which game?
@@Prometheus7272 no working title, it's just a coding project atm
. One advantage I found with a gaffer was that with the large and low mainsail there is rarely a need for a spinaker which relieves the skipper of recruiting two more hands , and the rig largely self adjusts.
Thanks for this primer on gaff rigs. To me it just seems you had to have a half dozen experienced sailors on board to manoevre such boats as Errol Flynn´s "Zaka". I remember my grandfather telling me a story that even Mr. Flynn´s father from Australia jumped ship after one hell of a dangerous ride from Mexico to Jamaica with six competent crewmen on board. My grandfather knew what he was talking about; at the time he skippered a sea scout boat in Greenwich...the best of the young boys were winnowed "in" to join on bigger boats from the NYYC that raced to Bermuda...those were the days!
Yes, those were the days. As far as crew size, it really depends on the size of the boat. Larger boats indeed require a lot of muscle, all gaffers require know-how.
Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. I found it really informative.
Wow!!! I been looking for this for a wile ..lol love it it's so easy to understand the way this works..I'm about to get a 1970..tahiti ketch..and I really have yust a few hours of experiance in this kind of rig ..love it now I don t feel over whelmed..that k you sir..
Thanks for stopping by, Henry.
@@howtosailoceans1423 thanks my man..it means a lot your comment..this been my childs dream ..nd is hard when every one you love nd care kills a boner ..bro any how I'm doing it ..I pull the trigger..have to redo the interior .on her but not an issue been around building all source of things..over 30 years..got lot to learn..ur videos are the ones teaching me how too..thank you sososossssso MUCH..!!! She's like your bout..Tahiti ketch 28/30footer..70s the Hall is dry solid..have great sails ..
Excellent presentation and tutorial!
You saved the best for last Kevin, just freakin' cool. I guess the lard doubles for cooking too. Awesome vid, thank you.
Yep, gaffers are just cooler. Last summer I had the joy of a week in a 1930s gaff cruiser, inland. In November I was offered a 50 year old wooden gunter rig dinghy, restored it and sail it in Lake District.
Building a gaff rigged yawl aluminum frame for an inflatable, I decided to just raise each gaff with one lead. The leach on the main sail is only about 56" so ya it's not a large sail by any means, but there is a 1/2 size mizzen sail as well as a jib sail that's roughly in between the main and mizzen sail in surface area. I have no skill with boat building, sail construction or sailing in general, my only boating experience is limited to canoes and inflatables and total time in both collectively is about 100 hours at best, still, I'm confident in my design and staining of the wooden rudder and lee boards as well as sail construction is all that's left to do as the entire framework, rigging, jib furler and steering mechanism is FINALLY completed. ty for this tutorial. =)
The gaff rig and the boats lines are a perfect match and a distinct look.
I'm thinking of buying a small gaff-rig, so this was really useful. Thanks for your time with this
Thanks for your video. A video on trimming a gaf rigged sailboat would be great.
This is great! You make it look so easy! The boom and gaff on my 40ft Colin Archer cutter are around 28ft long and solid wood. Quite a chore to raise I can tell you.
I would love some more how to vids on gaff sail trimming for various points of sail, especially downwind and how to prevent an accidental gybe.
😃👍
Thanks for that. As it turns out I have started some filming for an update to this video. Keep the suggestions coming!
Excellent😃👍. I can't wait!
If I may suggest something, any video on gaff rig handling, especially trim, and how to do it solo will be much appreciated. There's hardly anything to be found on youtube regarding the subject.
Keep it up, you're an inspiration!
That beong said, it will be a long time before I could solo sail our 41ft wooden gaff pilot cutter. 🙂
Fantastic explanations with actual demonstrations
can you do one showing the topsail and how it works in detail?
I'd like it too
Amazing. Bravo! Probably hundreds of dollars of books worth in a live action video. Educational and inspiring as well. As somesome with very little sailing experience, I encounter gaff rigs through online research. Now if I am ever lucky enough to be on board one I will at least have the first clue.
OK..I'm convinced. For long distance cruising vs racing, the gaff rig may well be the best choice. Michael Kasten makes a case for the short -gaffed rig in that it requires only one halyard and affords a longer luff. Thanks for the great commentary.
Beautiful sailboat. I'm dreaming of a Gaff rig now.
Thanks for sharing.
This is great. There is a lack of applied, useful sailing videos.
Outstanding explained so good love it. Its looks like the last an badass. What makes boat look good .
Thank you for this really good video and presentation. Best wishes from sunny Finland and Spritsail boat owner.
You don't see too many spritsails on this side of the Atlantic... fair winds, mate!
Thank you VERY much. This is fantastic. You did a great job filming everything step by step. Very clear. I learned a lot!
Thanks for the great lesson!🇨🇱
Thanks for watching..
Btw, there is an additional level to reach when it comes to scandalizing the mainsail. Old sailtrawlers would also haul up the tack of the sail in addition or in stead of lowering the peak. (requires a variable tack downhaul and what is essentially a halyard for the tack as well.) This method would be somewhat faster to recover from when you want to go back to full sail area, especially on larger mainsails where you might need to work the halyard a bit to get it peaked properly.
I'm going to consider that method
Thanks for bringing that up
@@750count If your gaffer is rigged to use a topsail you already have a halyard available as you probably won't ever scandalize the main with a topsail hoisted at the same time. Having the mainsail laced to the mast is also very handy, if you use fixed hoops you are going to need to play with the topping lift a lot more to get the boom up if you want to haul the tack up.
@@Flakzor123 No topsails
The main and foresail are laced
Brilliant video mate, super instructional
I'm thinking.of changing mine from Bermuda to gaff. This has been very helpful thanks
Thanks. Excellent material. I have just bought a Gaff rig Falmouth Oyster punt in Cornwall UK. Need to learn about reefing. Could have done with a close up of the hook going into reef line cringlr. Cheers.
Awesome mate. Like your style, and love the old gaffers.
Great video, thanks I'm building an rc pilot cutter with a gaff rig and I will use you video as point of reference when I get to rigging and sails, I'm brand new to radio control, its just a much smaller version. 👍👍👍👍
"Gaffers are just friggin cool" nuff said. Fair winds!
Great video. If I heard you correctly your last four words were "imprimatur of the sea." Gotta say I agree completely. Gaffers in a sense define sailing for me. Perhaps "Imprimatur" will be the name of my next boat. :-)
Yes, you heard correctly ... certified by the sea
And viola! great vid, thx for sharing the knowledge on hoisting gaff rig...now I will coil down and go to sleep. sleep and maybe dream about gaff riged sailboats
I really enjoyed your presentation, maybe because I do prefer a gaffer, they are well proven over time to be what you said they are, , The Grandbanks schooners are a case in point, thank you for a worthy video from Goolwa . south Australia
Hey, great video. Very educational. Thanks for explaining the upwind perf differences between gaff rig and Bermudan rig. Great stuff.
Great video, clear, concise and no background music (especially of someone else's choice!). More please and thanks.
Appreciate the video. Loved the Crisco reference, save that far from the steak!!! Excellent!
Your mainsail looks so graceful and beautiful!
the right color too, no? ;)
Why are traditional-looking gaffer sails often red or reddish brown? Great vids by the way! You are honest and authentic...refreshing traits rarely found on UA-cam.
Thanks. Originally sails were dyed with tanbark to preserve the cotton, but nowadays done for looks ... but maybe not, several sailors, myself included, find that dyed dacron sails last longer than white ones. The theory is that the dye acts as a UV filter, and UV is the main enemy of dacron cloth.
Great presentation. sailing my first Gaffer this past summer and boy is it a different experience; and I just love it. Slapping my forehead on raising the stopping lift on the wizard side to reef - Great tip! I would love to watch more performance and trimming videos if you are up for it. Also I am considering modifying my Marshall 22 sloop to either add another foresail or a topsail. I'd have to build my own rig for that, but I would be great to see some videos on that as well.
Best to you and yours.
Steve
Watching your vid I was thinking that she would be a great pocket cruiser for Florida with all the shallow water.
I can recall buildin a gaff setup. Being a young guy(not much money)I found an abandoned boat with the mast(wood)lying on the ground. I tied it to the roof of my datsun and carted it to my girlfriends where(after a stop for some wire and clamps)I got it rigged up. Then to the boat with it then a trip to the pier (yes me and a buddy lifted it with some rope and managed to stand it without a crane).There was a close call as it tipped toward a lady who was standing on the pier watching. But we did stand it up. The wire was cheap galvy but the thing sailed me hundreds of miles without a problem. I remember outrunning a Catalina 30 so it worked well for many years. Walt SB and Port San Luis
Excellent explanation and demo very helpful
Excellent content. Have watched a couple of your earlier videos and all are fun and informative. Just subscribed due to your knowledge and joy in sharing pure sailing. I learned on a gaffe rigged nettle cat almost 60 years ago so your vessel brings back many happy memories. Please keep up the good work as you enjoy your travels.
You can find both bison and beef tallow at Whole Foods Market, or make your own by rendering suet, which should be available from your local butcher.
So awesome thank you. Eyeing your strategy books as well 👁️
Thanks very much Kevin ....I agree it’s hard to get boom into gallows in rough conditions.....my gallows are aft and yours are midship....can you discuss the difference and why you chose your location.....it looks like a good safety feature to be able grab those handholds...also where did y obtain the bronze hardware for the gallows..". Thanks so very much....Stott. Ps could you do a video on tips for handling the main topsail....thanks again
Hi Stott, the previous owner installed the gallows. I would rather have them aft, but that's kinda tough on a double-ender. I've stopped flying a topsail, just too much hassle, but it really does give you a boost in light air. General procedure is get your windvane set, then raise the topsail on the lee side of the main. Once you get the yard two-blocked at the masthead, crank down on the downhaul, then sheet it. To take it down, reverse the procedure. Watch out for squalls ...
Thanks. Now I figured out how to over engineer my Bauer 10 sailing dinghy. Great video.
For a dink, consider a lug sail ...
I'm a newbie and thank you for your tutorial!!! I agree, Gaffers are just there with the cool factor...in the same way I am an old car junkie...in my mind, auto production ended in 1971....unless you are in the America's Cup, who wouldn't want a beautiful wooden Gaffer....I'm of the mind keep it simple stupid...and a Gaffer looks like you could fix any breakdown with some duck tape, a little binder twine and some body english
Thank you for your rich use of our nautical language. I've subscribed
Cheers from Downunder, Gray. Australia
Cheers Graham! Thanks for stopping by.
I saild a gaffkutter for years with great plesure. No greater fun to sail halfwind into the bay of Kiel with a topsail! Every one there thinks to bee faster than an old gaffer. They did imagine!
For the top of the topsai, l used a ligthweight aluminium bar. Its a bit triky to handle it, but I hat never problems
Great vid to educate us on the GAF rig. Really like your vids.
Very informative. Thanks for sharing.
I love gaffers. They are a beautiful thing to see when under way. Well done on this whole video. I really enjoyed it. The boat I am restoring is a Bermuda rig but I have always been a huge lover of catboats and even bought the plans for one. Maybe someday. Enjoy your gaffer. Again, great video. (S/V Little Girl)
Thanks for tuning in Randy ... enjoy restoring Little Girl, and fair winds when you splash her in!
In combo with the recent drone footage, this is a Gaff 101 class. Well done Kevin! Can't believe you single-hand this 24/7 over oceans, AND find a way to film it. The proper technical (actually, nautical) terminology for all aspects was superb - not a single whosit/whatsit/doodad used. I learned something, potentially valuable one-day, this evening!
Thanks for the interesting video. I learned sailing on a polyvalk, that is a gaff-rigged open boat, about 6,50m long, very popular in the Netherlands. The sail handling is basically the same as you descri be here, it looks all very familiar. Having learned on a gaff-rig, switching to the common bermuda rig was very simple for me. :)
This is such a great video, thanks for explaining the pros and cons of the gaff rig, I noticed you sail solo on this video, I am planning to sail solo and wondered what size of boat would be favourable , some people tell me it would be good idea to have electric winches, but it seems like you can haul up these sails pretty easily although i guess it is down to fitness.?
A 31-foot boat (8 ton) is no problem. I would say if the boat is over 20 tons you may have some challenges sailing solo without powered winches, or a crew, especially if it is traditionally rigged, e.g. a gaffer.
The less of anything electric you have to rely on the better - the thought horrifies me, to be honest.
Interesting and informative. Thankyou.
Would love to see more like this.
Thank you for the rigging tutorial. Another terrific video.
Great stuff😎. I love a gaffer although I’ve never been on one. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience. I may make a trip to England where gaffers are still everywhere.
Another advantage is that the sail can in principle be raised or lowered on any point of sailing, and if you need to drop it in a squall the weight of the gaff brings it straight down. No need to be completely head to wind. I can't bear to watch Bermudan boats having to come up top the wind whilst the crew struggle to pull canvas down a track.
You explained the gaff rig very well, with good use of actual real time demonstration footage and some graphics. Well done!
So now I understand how the gaff mainsail and mizzen are rigged, how about doing an explanation of the various fore sails and particularly the sails rigged forward on the end of the bowsprit . Since many gaff rigged vessels have a bow sprit.
Kevin, Your gaff rig is fascinating. I sail a Burmuda rig. You've inspired me to think about switching. I'm curious though about the details of handling your backstays when jibing the main since it seems they could get in the way and potentially cause issues. I don't think I've seen that in detail in your videos I've watched thus far. If you can explain that process, or point me to a video, I would appreciate it...maybe others would too! Thanks!
I showed going through a jybe in rough weather in one of my recent vids "The wind is free, just not always what you want" ... it takes some practice, can be a little scary until you get used to it.
I just went back to this video again. I appreciate all of your points, and I particularly appreciate the origins, traditions, and the silhouette of a gaffer. I am curious about how Ruth Avery specifically became a gaffer. Was that your design? And are you aware of anyone else who has changed from a more modern rig to a more traditional gaff arrangement? And somewhere in there, at least for many, the running back stay becomes part of the debate? I guess I need to hunt you down and offer a beer for your reply. No need to do so here, just sharing my cogitation. Fair winds and thanks you for your channel!
Hi Charles, the previous owner gave her the gaff rig, though I later modified it--he had a very high peaked gaff which didn't work very well. Most people opt for the Bermudan rig these days as they are less work to manage.