Randy wrote:
I don't think it would be worth going for any kind of junk rig.
Ok! Please elaborate
I was thinking that you had three masts as in your avatar; that with plenty of deck room, you could manage three Wharram sails, each of which would be simply hoisted and lowered and not reefed very often; and that those sails would be quicker and easier to make than three junk sails. Moreover, with a large young crew aboard to be gainfully employed, you might as well get them accustomed to wrestling with canvas.
Now that I know that you have just the two masts, that puts a different complexion on the matter. The forward sail would in fact be a pretty big mainsail, and would need careful handling if it was a Wharram wing. Not that it's impossible to handle such sail, the two sails on Spirit of Gaia must be of similar size. Just needs a bit more care, to avoid injury, when a big sail is able to flog when being reefed. Reefing a big gaff sail is "not by any to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God". And reefing would be necessary, as I suspect it wouldn't be with a three-sail rig - there, you'd use one, two or three according to the conditions.
So it's back to putting in the time and effort to make a big flat junk sail with plenty of balance. Flat, because this is never going to be a boat that will go to windward in light breezes, and a flat sail will work fine when the wind pipes up. Plenty of balance, and a low yard angle, to keep the loadings low, and I hope to obviate the need for a headsail.
The mizzen will be small, with little balance area, and often furled in fresh breezes for better helm balance. It could be a Wharram wing, to save on time and effort in making it, or it could be a junk sail, to make it more useful as a riding sail.
Whatever the sails, I'd be thinking of four shrouds, two forward and two aft, rather than two after shrouds and a headstay (to avoid having a bowsprit).