Wishbone rig

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A wishbone rig, sometimes also known as fishbone ketch, is a type of rigging on

A wishbone ketch rigged vessel is a vessel that is rigged as a ketch where a permanent splitting gaff is mounted between two masts. Contrary to the gaff rig (where the gaff is hoisted together with the sail) the gaff stays in the mast. The gaff is typically fixed on the first mast (the one closer to the front) and fixed via a line to the aftmost mast. These lines allow the sail to be trimmed to suit the wind.

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

• Easier to hoist the sail than with a gaff rig
• Offers a large sail area (advantageous in light winds) - the entire area between the masts can be covered

Disadvantages:

• Potential dangerous situation in case of unplanned
  points of sail
  )
• Puts significant strain on the top of the aft most mast
• Additional weight high in the mast (although this rig is generally used only on heavy boats)

See also

• Sail-plan
• Ketch

References