Professional BoatBuilder - February-March 2018

RIG DESIGN: Fractional Update

48 PROFESSIONAL BOATBUILDER

RIG DESIGN: Fractional Update

to heeling force—which was particu-

larly desirable considering the P-32's

modest righting moment.

Lateral support of the keel-stepped

mast comes from: the mast trunions

seated in the internal chocks of the

weldment for the partners; the dia-

mond upper shrouds with swept-

back spreaders from the top of the

P-32’s Rig

My objective for the P-32 was to

create a more easily handled rig for

cruising by eliminating mast bend as

a variable while optimizing perfor-

mance to windward. To accomplish

this, I reduced windage of the rig and

of the boat itself as much as practical,

and maximized driving force relative

necessary to alter the shape of the

mainsail, while tension of the fore-and-

a stays is adjusted to properly support

a somewhat  exible mast.

While there are numerous examples

of traditional and bendy fractional

rigs, Petrel’s rig di ers in many, some-

times subtle, ways from those two

common con gurations.

The powder-coated-aluminum mast-partner

weldment provides a structural cover over a long

slot in the housetop. This allows the mast to be slid

into the boat at about 30° to the horizontal or be

lowered in vertically. In both cases, the roller at the

aft end of the weldment guides the spar until two

trunnions on the mast  t into the internal saddles

just forward of the roller. These position the mast

side to side so no chocks are needed. If a crane is

not used, the angled mast can be raised, rotating on

the trunnions until the heel swings into its step

on the keel. In this mode, the setup functions as

a belowdeck tabernacle. The weldment also

accommodates various lead blocks and a Delrin

chock for stowing the jib club.

JEP

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