I thought a yawl is when the mizzen mast is behind the rudder and if the mizzen mast is in front of the rudder then it's a ketch rig. That has been my understanding of what makes a yawl different to a ketch.
There isn’t only one rule / definition of what makes a yawl versus a ketch, but I feel you’re right in the general sense. My own interpretation would be that in a yawl the mizzen is aft of the tiller/ wheel (not the rudder itself) - which it is here. It is difficult for the mizzen to be aft of the rudder when the rudder is transom hung. In any case, for the Norwalk Islands Sharpies there are two versions of the 18 footer. One like this with the mizzen mounted right at the transom - called the cat yawl; and one with the mizzen mounted in the cockpit forward of the tiller - the cat ketch.
(you may wish to join the nis forum to get other opinions from owners etc - groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nisboats ) I have sailed both the ketch and now the yawl. the uncluttered cockpit of the yawl is great - makes it feel like a bigger boat. sails very nicely and well balanced. slight downsides are the extra "clutter" around the transom - the outboard, rudder, bumkin, etc all competing for space
She looks pretty smart Gav. You've done an incredible job and now it's time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Interesting design.
I thought a yawl is when the mizzen mast is behind the rudder and if the mizzen mast is in front of the rudder then it's a ketch rig. That has been my understanding of what makes a yawl different to a ketch.
There isn’t only one rule / definition of what makes a yawl versus a ketch, but I feel you’re right in the general sense. My own interpretation would be that in a yawl the mizzen is aft of the tiller/ wheel (not the rudder itself) - which it is here. It is difficult for the mizzen to be aft of the rudder when the rudder is transom hung. In any case, for the Norwalk Islands Sharpies there are two versions of the 18 footer. One like this with the mizzen mounted right at the transom - called the cat yawl; and one with the mizzen mounted in the cockpit forward of the tiller - the cat ketch.
(you may wish to join the nis forum to get other opinions from owners etc - groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nisboats )
I have sailed both the ketch and now the yawl.
the uncluttered cockpit of the yawl is great - makes it feel like a bigger boat. sails very nicely and well balanced.
slight downsides are the extra "clutter" around the transom - the outboard, rudder, bumkin, etc all competing for space
Some body has read to much Arthur Ransome.