Hello everyone!
After an awesome Junket in Roscoff and seeing the junk sails in action I am besotted. Everyone was extremely friendly and encouraging. It was just the impetus I needed to decide to officially start on my own junk rig conversion!
Mast-wise I’ve found a source for aluminium lampposts which will make life much easier as it’ll require (almost) no modifications. Furthermore, I’ve found a good spot to put the mast. Thanks to Arne’s files I’m feeling rather confident about building the mast step. There’s an existing hatch I am planning on using to put the mast through and obviously the new deck partners will need loads of reinforcements. Little unsure about exactly how much to beef it up. I’ve heard when the mast goes through the cabin the top can get too stressed and crack the windows… Any views most gratefully received.
Sail-wise I have settled on the Reddish style rig of 26,4sqm. I keep looking at other types especially because both the barrel cut and split junk rig are so well documented. In the end though I always end up circling back to the Reddish rig. It’s just gorgeous. Plus, I must have read and reread the article by Vincent reddish on the design and construction at least a hundred times. The use of bamboo for battens is fascinating and I love how the sail is affixed to the rope/batten frame. There are however still some large question marks hanging over how to attach the bolt ropes (are they knotted or does that weaken the structure too much?) and the sheetlets to the battens. Also, dealing with chafe of the lacings between the battens and mast is causing headaches. Does anyone have any tips?
The material for the sail is sorted. It is from a load of hammocks that were in the sale. It’s wind and water proof, not too heavy and has pretty stripes. I’ll see how it holds up (my sailing waters are a relatively calm and inshore for now so I’m comfortable experimenting). Also I’ve found a good supply of long bamboo poles for battens.
Today my sister and I have been working on a small mock-up model just to get a better notion for how it’ll go together. I learnt the importance of keeping the yard and sail foot tensioned. It got pulled slightly out of shape because I sewed it in my lap watching the telly… I had to unpick all the battens because I’d unwittingly gathered the centres of each panel and the leech and luff had gone super baggy. in any case so far I’m still rather chuffed with it and feel to have learnt a tonne for when I get around to the real thing. I love how the sail moves as a whole cohesive unit and the tension on the luff and the leech (supported by the double bolt rope) adds so much structure to the sail. The parels acting on the top four battens seem to work like snotters on spritsails from what I can tell.
If people are interested I’d be happy to keep you in the loop as the project progresses! Attached are some pictures. I’d love to hear what people think.
PS: I also attached screenshots of the original article I’m referring to. Just in case it jogs any memories of how the various bits are sewed/laced/lashed together. Hope I’m not breaking any rules.