The mast of a catamaran is typically attached through a combination of a compression post, mast step, and rigging. The compression post runs through the bridgedeck and supports the mast. The location of the mast is determined using the centroid of the sail area with the sails on the centerline of the boat and the centroid of the side view area of the hull and keelcenterboard. The prout line of catamarans had the mast at the front of the cockpit, now that’s pretty far back. Boats are now having the masts further back, because roller furling jibs are easier to handle.
The Prout rig spreads the sail area more fore and aft than the typical fractional sloop rig, tending to have a lower mast. This lowers both the center of effort and the maximum compressive force on the mast. Based on the stability at 30°, the Skenes method estimates the maximum compressive force on the mast.
A Leopard sailing catamaran mast tilted aft serves two purposes: improving the boat’s performance and allowing for efficient distribution of power. Catamarans typically have two masts placed towards each end of the boat, allowing for efficient distribution of power. Attached to these masts are various types of Catamaran cruising sail options, from symmetric spinnakers to Code sails for reaching performance.
Mast weight (MWT) and mast centre of gravity (MCG) are important factors determining a boat’s stability. Mast manufacturers now ensure that the profile is calculated to break when the load reaches 70 to 80% of the boat’s weight. Laying the mast on its side can cause it to get bent while trailering, unless there are three supports. Diamond stays are recommended for better stability.
📹 Upwind sailing tips for catamarans – Catamaran sailing techniques | Yachting World
Why don’t cruising cats sail very well to windward? Nigel Irens explains and has some tips on how to get more out of a cruising …
📹 How to choose a catamaran – Catamaran sailing techniques
Top multihull designer Nigel Irens guides us through the process of choosing a catamaran. We also speak to Lloyd Thornburg, …
Some food for thought – Catamarans with two short spreaders instead of one long spreader on the mast sail better up wind for the simple reason that the leech of the genoa can come closer to the center of the boat before the spreader interferes with it. We have seen this many times sailing in proximity of cats with long single spreaders who just can’t make it closer to the wind as a result. We actually sail closer to the wind than many mono’s we sail with and for me it all comes down to the genoa ‘set up’ by the manufacturer. Another thing we find for sailing closer to the wind, is to give the genoa a stiff halyard (we want to loose the wrinkles). I totally agree with the words ‘don’t over sheet at all’ – contrary to what we are all taught our boat goes better to weather with the genoa cars slightly forward as opposed to aft – the sail wants some shape to it. These articles are great, the sailor is skilled and I enjoy them – thank you guys!
I assist with a Fountaine 46 cat delivery. Sailing from Coccos Keeling to Perth WA. 1750kn into the SE trades. All on the nose. 30kns of wind with a strong current and 2 metres+ seas.. The best we could get was 120 to the wind for the first 12 days. We were aiming to sail a course of about 130 the best we could get was either 10 or 250 degrees. Not the direction we wanted. Apart from having two hulls slamming for every wave. Give me a heavy monohull anytime.
This yacht they are on is like sailing a block of flats and using bed sheets to drive it …. Dagger boards are essential for upwind performance. My Crowther 10m could sail 28/35 deg to windward at good speed.. I am looking at a SIG80 fro my retirement yacht,,,, now that will make mono sailors envious 🙂
Discussing upwind sailing technique on a modern cruising cat, probably best not to use the Moorings (Robertson & Caine Leopard) 48! The forward cockpit is designed for seating charter guests sipping wine (or rum) at the marina dock….. But it is huge penalty for windward performance on this cat because it is effectively a massive wind dam and literally almost stops the boat. It traps the wind and there is no way for it flow over the super structure. Parasitic drag at its worst!