Wishbone rig

Example of wishbone ketch on S/Y Norda. Note that the gaff is fixed on the first mast and that it has one leg on both sides of the sail.

A wishbone rig is a type of rigging on sailboats. This rigging is most popular on heavy two-masted vessels. On a ketch it is called wishbone ketch and is considered a subtype of ketch rigging.

Definition

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

Disadvantages

Also Known As

Va Marie (used in Poland)

fishbone ketch (seldom and possible a variation to wishbone ketch)

Spreizgaffelsegel (German)

Name

The wishbone (furcula) is a bone with a V or Y shape, similar to the gaff in the wishbone rig.

Examples on actual sailing ships

See also

Sail-plan

Ketch

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