B Rig
Home Up Classic Rig Vector Rig B Rig Internal Tang Compression Vang

 

Last update, June 11, 2000

 

 

Cocktail Hour Chat

"We knew this all the time."

"Yah, I really don't like beating up my stuff."

"Even sheeted out the top third of the main is nuts...then there a tack staring you in the face."

"I thought I was flat today with lots of backstay pressure and mast bend...yuk!"

"B rig?"

"That's what they say, sustained 7 to maybe 15 knots."

"Is it like reefed sails but you put on shorter sails instead?"

"Supposedly 80% of these rigs."

"That will look funny on a 6 foot mast."

"Kinda screws up what you can do with the upper mast...pass the Manhattans, please."

"Hear what you're sayin' but this has to have been approached?"

"Haven't see anything on it...need some ice?"

"Yah, sure, here ya go...nice to be on a different planet, huh?"

 

In our travels though publications and the Net, nothing had been remembered about a "B" rig other than the class specifications and a mention in the EC12 Manuals of heavier sail material. The class rules state maximums for certain mast positions only. Finally, after much search, master craftsman Mike Zellanack was emailed and yes, there is a cut down rig! But, to each their own. He offered to help but we were proud "different planet" folk.  ...Delta Group, summer of 1999.

 

Our "B" Rig

So, this is what has been formulated. If any of you professional EC12 drivers know something more illuminating than our blind fumbling, sound off. This site is much for those new to the class and prepared by those new to any class, much less boat building. "Know what I mean, Vern?"

 

Having a set of heavy duty Mylar sails and a six foot mast on the table, made it very clear that 80% of an "A" rig was not going to work. There were too many variables. A percentage approach to the "A" rig was taken. Meaning, that "A" rig component positions were looked at, not in inch measurements from the mast step, but percentages from the step to the mast position.

   Example: If your "A" rig spreader is set at 33" on a 71-7/8" mast, that is 46% from the base. Hence, the numbers below for OUR "B" mainsail and rig liking.

 

If you review the class specifications regarding sail rigs you will note that the luff is shorter and not the rest. Meaning, that it is not a reefed sail, but cut, as it should be. So, the booms and all that are upon them will be the same. Therefore, the main boom gooseneck will be in the same position as your "A" rig (we think).

 

Order your "B" rig sails. When you get them, measure them! Then translate the same setup to a standard mast. This is what showed up here:

   Our measuring point on the gooseneck (top of the metal) was 4-5/8" from the base of the mast.

   The luff of the mainsail was 59-3/4 inches.

   The crane was 1/2" above the highest part of the mainsail head.

Now you add this up (4-5/8+59-6/8+4/8 = 64-7/8) inches needed for the mast. It was cut to that.

 

So, you do your personal "A" rig relationships to a "B" rig mast of your selected height.

This was ours:

 

 A rig

 B rig

Mast

 71-7/8"

 64-7/8"

Forestay mount

 58-7/8"

 53-1/8"

Spreaders

 33"

 29-3/4"

Lower Jumper mount

 32-5/8"

 29-3/8"

Lower Shrouds

 same as above

 same as above

Lower/Lower shrouds

 4-1/4"

 4-1/4"

 

The jumper spreader has been left out because it is a personal thing. We have seen mast height spreads from 4 to 7 inches below the forestay mount on "A" rigs. You need to determine what works best for you. Ours was set at 48-3/4" on the first "B" rig built here. We have no comment beyond that for we know nothing as to performance as yet. However, it should be a good ballpark number.

These photos show the "B" rig alone and with an "A" rig in background for comparison. The details for fittings are the same as other rig photos on this site. Good luck! Glad we had those Manhattans!