9 Ads of Sloop for Sale

The Bermudan sloop is a single-masted and mainsail boom rig, with just two sails, a foresail (also known as a headsail, jib or genoa) and a mainsail. The rig has been called the Bermuda rig, or Bermudian rig, because it was developed in Bermuda in the 17th century. It is also sometimes known as the Marconi rig because Guglielmo Marconi's wireless radio masts resembled the wires that stabilize the mast.This set-up is by far the most popular as it is simple and, relative to other rigs, requires fewer spars and standing rigging. This makes it more economical to purchase and provides for lower associated maintenance and replacement costs. Sloop rigs fall into two distinct categories, masthead, fractional rigs defined by the position at which the forestay is attached to the mast. 1) Masthead Rig: This configuration is very popular due to the simplicity of its rigging arrangement. On a masthead rig the forestay is attached at the very top of the mast which allows the headsails to reach the same vertical height as the mainsail. Traditionally the masthead rig has a relatively short footed mainsail with a large overlapping headsail. Most of the rig's power comes from its vast headsail. 2) Fractional rigged sloop: A fractional rigged sloop has its forestay attached at a point below the top of the mast and on its forward face. This leaves the top section of the mast unsupported from forward but with the ability of tension the backstay to bend the top section of the mast. This enables the mainsail to be flattened to improve performance by raking the upper part of the mast aft. With smaller headsails and longer footed mainsails the fractional rig derives most of its power from the mainsail and its shape is trimmed to balance the boat.