That mizzen may look big. I only want it to be big enough to balance out the lee helm produced by the mainsail when close-hauled. If the project were mine, I would make the mizzen sail with the reefs shown below. Then I would see if a smaller version of the sail would be big enough. In case, for instance, the 6.1sqm version turned out to be good, then I would recut the sail to that size and also shorten the mizzen mast. Small is beautiful, as long as it works. This sail is not to be reefed under way. It is to be the sail you set before leaving, and which you furl only after the sailtrip is over. Its camber/flatness is to be controlled from the cockpit with the snotter line on that sprit boom. The sail is cut flat with a boltrope all around it, just like the junksail.

You will also notice that I have sketched on two endplates to improve that little rudder. That should be Project 1  -  before converting the rig.

Arne

Thank You for your comments and the drawings.

I am aware of the problems mentioned with the small rudder and structural problems.

The rudder is to small even  for the present Bermuda rig and I have had some ideas about making a larger transom-hung  rudder instead. But then the yawl idea will fail.The propeller is a large (21´) three-blade one.

I believe that the mast position on the fore deck will work since it will be placed where there is a bulwark between the front cabin and the chain locker. It can be made as strong as needed. And thinking of all the large windows  in the cabin I realize that a mizzen mast some 2m behind the present mast post should be very difficult to support sideways.

So the yawl idea would be very worthwhile. I´ll take that into consideration in my future plans.

Hi Göran.
Your schooner rig should work, and save fuel  -  but only with the engine running.
If you stop the engine, I fear you will run into problems for three reasons:

• 1.      The CE of your JR Schooner rig appears to sit a good deal aft of the Bermuda sloop rig.
• 2.      That rudder is tiny.
• 3.      In front of that tiny rudder is probably a big (3-blade?) propeller, which tries to make the rudder useless with the engine stopped.

The Finnsailer is a stout vessel, so I too would like to find a useful, moderate-size rig for it. If she were mine, I would have gone for a yawl rig.

With only the mainsail set, there will be lee helm, but that little mizzen, way aft, sheeted to a boomkin, could bring the total CE aft to the Bermuda rig position. With this setup, you can actually fine-balance the vessel with the mizzen sheet, so the rudder will mostly live an easy life.

Don’t expect to be able to tack without starting the engine.
However, this rig could save you lots of engine hours, and in winds between a close and a broad reach, she will more or less steer herself.

Good luck.
Arne

PS: That mainsail is actually a slightly enlarged version of the one I use on my IF, Ingeborg.

..tidying up a little  -  and adding a few more details...

Anyone knowing about a junk rig converted Finnsailer? After completing my junk rig for a typical swedish 6m "snipa" i am planning to convert my Finnclipper next year. The standard rig is an ordinary bermuda sloop, often also as a ketch. I have made some preliminary drawings for a schooner rig. Any suggestions welcome!