LarryLudwig

Is anyone sailing a swing rig ? I am starting to goof with one on a marblehead, and just wondered what the general consensus was if they were worth the trouble?

pompebled

Hi Larry,

I don't sail one myself (I don't like the looks), but I am frequently being beaten by guys that do, so in general it's faster.

Greetings, Jan.

GRANT ED

Gotta agree with Jan. The swing rigs I have seen are quite quick. They still look stupid though

LtDoc

Okay, I'll 'bite'. What's a "swing rig"? Evidently my 'search' skills aren't what they should be, I can't find out what it is.
- 'Doc

tim1962

Check the AMYA site.

[link]http://www.amya.org/swingrig.html[/link]

Mike Denest

My Feedback: (1)

Well, for one, they are much more costly [:@] than the conventional fractional rig. They have better performance upwind and can point higher but on downwind and breezy conditions they can be a handful trying to keep the boat under control. I've seen a number of swing rig M's (my conventional rig included) play "U Boat" in rough conditions. [sm=drowning.gif]

Places like Central Park are more suited to a "A" suit swing rigs with light conditions. Competitive swing rig sailors will also have reduced shape sail rigs on hand to deal with the conditions. It still comes down to the guy on the sticks to make the difference.

LarryLudwig

Mike, I was just curious if that is your T-6 you are posing with. I had one back in the early 80's when I was young and foolish as in ... fool and money soon being parted. If that wasn't silly enough I went on to the Mustang after that. (Scoop bottomed money gobbler) I spent a few years in the CAF when it was the "good ol days" down in HRL and I was flying freight out of the RGV. I started in #867 owned by Linda Finch (later replicated Earhardts circumnavigation in a restored L-10) and John Luther. Just curious, didn't want the topic police to get alerted.

spillinmyRUM

how do swing rigs keep upright it ididnt seem to haveany spreaders or do they?

Mike Denest

My Feedback: (1)

There is a socket built into the boat where the base of the rig is inserted. All you do is drop it in and hook up one sheet line from the winch. The entire rig pivots in this socket. All the trim settings can be done off the boat. A friend was once asked how to trim a swing rig. His answer was "I dunno". And he meant it! Trimming a swing rig is all mumbo jumbo and black arts.

To Larry Ludwig,
Sorry I missed your question, that's a Fairchild PT-26 in my avatar.

spillinmyRUM

are there any cases of these rigs falling down? it doesnt seem too sturdy