Hello,

I made an effort to find an appropriate topic for this question but I did not have any success. If there is a topic already I would very much appreciate a link to the topic and some hints on how I may have found it myself.

I would like to learn more about positioning the sail fore and aft relative to the mast on a single-masted junk rig. From reading PJR I understand that this position is normally adjustable with luff hauling parrels and limited by the distance between the points where the batten parrells attach to the battens.

I have two questions. The first is essentially "why not balance the sail as much as possible?". I understand that a 50% area forward and 50% aft configuration would be unstable and a bad idea. But why not put about 40% forward of the mast about 60% of the sail area aft of the mast? This would allow the mast to be placed farther aft and would also make it more difficult for the boom to touch the water when the boat is healing over. I expect this would also reduce the loading on the sheets and make a gybe even more controlled.

The second question is in reference to the document below:

C and SJ P1-end 12-06-2a

In this document Slieve McGalliard states, "Because of the greater than normal balance there is no controls required to move the rig back and forward on different points of sail."

I do not understand how this is possible. I have come to understand that moving the rig fore and aft on different points of sail is fundamental to the operation of any junk rig. Can someone please help clarify my understanding?

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

Scott.