Inspired by David’s thinking, I had another go. This time I used the original Johanna 70 sailplan with the same batten length at 4.90m. This was initially installed with the boom overlapping that of the Johanna 60 sail. The mast was then moved forward 49cm until it crossed the 15% ring on the boom. This gave a comfortable halyard angle and increased halyard drift. I therefore lifted the whole sail 150mm to increase clearance over the rail and pulpit.

On the wind, the steering balance should be very similar to when using that first sail .

Downwind will call for more rudder input, but I don’t think it is a show-stopper. I have the same setup on my Ingeborg and I can easily sail downwind as long as I don’t set more sail than I can (just) carry when close-hauled.

However, you can prepare the sail for a plan B  -  using running tack parrels and tack line to shift the boom forward, as indicated on the diagram in thin gray lines (here 5°). The preparation just means you have to make the fore batten pockets and batten parrels fitting the forward-swung position.

The diagram shows that the initial boom rise of 10° ensures a decent clearance, even when swinging the sail forward.

The new mast position will, as said, be 49cm forward of the first one (..the distance from bow to mast is now 1.89m..). That may take up a little more space in the V-berth. In case only one berth is to be used, the mast could be moved 120mm to one side, to clear the CL. My solution has been to pad the mast of Ingeborg.

Finally, I have no idea of where any deck hatch is sitting. Maybe the mast in its new position clears the hatch.

Arne

PS: I haven't tried using a running tack parrel to shift the sail back and forth myself, but others like David have done so, and it clearly works.

(Arne's album, diagram section 7, photo 8)

Understood Arne.

Just adding another thought, I looked at a very similar situation with my Pelorus (which I did not follow through on) and decided another possible solution might be to move the mast back to that bulkhead A  (which, hopefully is a structural bulkhead) and offset the mast just enough to clear the companionway.

I Think it could be done in such a way that the companionway is wide enough and the heads area still viable. This would might bring the mast balance above 30% which would be into SJR territory?

Its tight though, all the dimensions are close to the minimum required for things like swinging one's legs into bed, or sitting on the heads. 

My main point is: many people would reject out of hand the idea of offsetting the mast - but if things are tight it might be considered. I would consider offsetting to port as I think it just might work (2) - or offset to starboard and do away with easy access to a little bit of storage space (3).

Those doors could be rationalised - a single bifold door on the heads compartment might be part of the solution.

Maybe only one single berth will be required in the forward cabin, that would ease things a lot.

It's tight, but there will be a way.

I do not believe off=setting the mast would affect the performance of the boat - Annie has done that with Fanshi, perhaps she will comment on any pro's or cons.

Just discussion points, bouncing ideas.

Anonymous wrote:

Just wondering though -  perhaps Jon should to do a mock-up of that arrangement, on the boat, to see if it remains possible to get in and out of bed in those two forward berths.

Thanks Graeme - yes I think that's the next thing I need to check out. There are certainly some mast placements which would be problematic so I need to work out where the mast line as per Arne's suggestion would intersect with the accommodation!

Hi Arne

Thank you so much for doing that - it is really helpful to have the benefit of your experience!

I do like the idea of having more balance and hopefully reducing the weather helm. Whilst it’s not the main issue I also think that rig looks great on the boat!

I should be able to get a reasonable idea of how the mast position would work by taking the position from that drawing and get an idea of whether it’s something what would work. 

There is plenty still to think about, but definitely starting to see how it could work  

All the best

Jon

Thanks David - that's really helpful. 

Yes I think calculating the current CE and looking at the potential mast position / rig type is the next step I need to look at.

The DIY vs professional approach is also an interesting question, I would imagine it would be possible to spend a lot of money going down the professional route?!