DownWest
Well-known member
A previous thread commented on the switch from ketch to bermudan rig trend with modern big yachts. I can't help feeling that a 60 ft would be better off with smaller sails on a ketch rig, pref with genny and staysail forward. They don't look so elegant, but are much less reliant on powered winches. Our company yacht, at 35 tonns and over 60 ft had a ketch rig that the skipper and his girlfriend could handle. All the winches were manual. Skipper said it would do 12knts under sail or power, so was not fazed by weather.