How to Rig a Balanced Lug Sail - Part 1

Lug sail rigging my GIS's for the second season!!
People have asked me how I rigged my GIS, the lazy jacks and how I secure or attach the blocks to the boom so I decided to make a video showing how to rig it (my setup of course), and how to make simple lazy jacks with just some lines and one shackle (these have proven invaluable on my first season!)
I have made some changes to my lug sail reefing system to make it as quick and reliable as I can. Reefing a lug sail in this way on my Goat Island Skiff is easy and fast enough so that I can do it without the need to drop anchor or going to shore. Quite simple reefing setup, but effective.
The video end up being over 30 minutes long so I split it in two parts!
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[@stephenevans4708]

Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate this - makes it a lot easier to understand seeing it in the video than reading about it!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Stephen! This is not a "how-to" video but although this is MY way of rigging my GIS, if it gives ppl a few pointers, I will be very happy about it!😉

[@lsh3rd]

Thank you for the level of detail you put into this video... there are no other videos on KZbin as good as this one... I’ve been looking!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thank you Larry! Glad it was helpful. 🙂

[@rockykoast7065]

I like that all or nearly all is simply held in place by lines & knots. Easier to adjust or replace and with minimum drilling of spars which weakens them.

[@TheCrioGod]

Count down is about to start! Well explained rigging mate, waiting for part 2! Regards!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks! Part 2 next Sunday! 😉

[@zackariasthepirate]

Enjoyable learning from how you set up your boat. Efficiency of simple approach, solving complex challenges through practice and time is valuable knowledge!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks Zacharias! I'm all for trying things out, making mistakes, learning and having fun while we're here!!! I have found that simplicity and good fun go hand in hand most of the times... 😁

[@gems34]

Thanks Teo, so glad the weather played along :) Learned a lot.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks Tusk!😉

[@andrasvarga4066]

Nagyon jó hely van , kutyusnak, barát..

[@killerguppy2988]

Building my own sailing tender, and just starting to get to rigging. I know nothing about rigging, but this video gave me a lot of insight into the small details. Very well done!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thank you! And gratz for building your boat! Nothing beats sailing a boat one has built...😉

[@EnricoFranconiPolisportiva]

Thanks Teo, a lot of interesting tips and solutions for a best rigging. Your videos are really valuable! Waiting for Part 2 now: I need to try the lazy Jack in MIRA...

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks Enrico! ...if I could only keep one of the mods I made to the rigging....welllllll.....I'd pick the lazy jacks! 😉

[@PTMxCh00bX]

Another informative video, well done

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thank you! 😉

[@jdwilsun]

GREAT SIMPLE METHODS! THANK YOU!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@soma_trip1863]

Invaluable stuff - Thank You!!!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Glad it was helpful!

[@michealbreathnach2928]

Thank you

[@robhosailor]

Great job again. I use similar system but a bit different due to use wooden spars and mainsail with foot lashed to flexible boom.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Rob! In the end what ever get's you out sailing and works for you is the best setup!! 😉

[@randal1470]

Awesome, been excited about this 😎👍

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hope you enjoyed it! 😉

[@randal1470]

@@TheBoatRambler as always 😎 looking forward to the next part!

[@tehtairing]

Thank you for showing this

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thanks for watching! 😉

[@VadiodaXT]

Obrigada pela partilha :)

[@bengo4611]

Hi Teo, thanks for your videos, great stuff, keep it up! I'd like to know more about the pulleys, ropes, and other rigging hardware you use. Could you share some information about brands or types, and sizes? Thanks in advance and enjoy the new season!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Bengo! I just answered this on a different video! 😂 " The pulleys are mainly Harken 30mm and a 40mm for the halyard (I already had these from previous dinghies). The Ratchet block is also Harken 57mm (again, had it already). At the top of the mast I have an Allen Eazy Tie 20mm block, and on the outhaul a Barton size0 cheek block. The outhaul is just 5mm double braided poly. The Halyard is 5mm spectra with outer poly sleeve. Sail corners tied to the yard with 3mm Spectra and around the yard with single braided 3mm poly. Mainsheet is Kingfisher’s Evolution 8mm. Traveller is 6mm double braided poly, Tiller lock is now 3mm single braided Spectra. Downhaul is 4 mm Double braided poly on the 4:1(Barton's 30mm double blocks) and 60 cm of 4mm Spectra for the x2 (Harken 30mm) top pulley to make a 8:1 downhaul. Reefing loops and dog bones are 3mm Spectra. Bleater is 5mm Spectra. Reef ties single braided 3mm poly. Lazyjacks are made of 3mm and 4mm Poly line. I think this should cover most of it.. If you want the official BoM for the GIS scroll down on this page. www.storerboatplans.com/tuning/lug-rig-setup/goat-island-skiff-rig-and-rigging-details-for-efficient-lug-sails/ " Have fun 😉

[@giuseppecalzavaradearaujo8570]

Muito bom Cara.

[@Sortenata]

Genial!!!

[@flomencke]

Great video again, really enjoyed watching your journey with Forger! How do you ensure that the mast do not lean to one or the other side/ for or aft? Or is this a minor topic on a lug rig?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Thank you Florian! The gap at the mast partner/step is not much . The mast might be allowed to move a few centimeters at the top but it's not relevant. Same happens on any unstayed mast, like on the Laser or the Finn, which bends a lot more than the GIS mast 😁

[@yypish]

Very nice video! I am wondering, how is the boom kept in position? You talked about it needing plenty of downwards tension, but what is preventing it from falling down? I don't know a lot about sailing, but I'm eager to learn :)

[@TheBoatRambler]

The sail is attached to the yard which is hoisted to the top of the mast by the halyard which in turn is secured on the camcleats. So I guess you can say the halyard holds the sail up! 🤔

[@user-dq4yu2mp6h]

Thanks for the great video! As I can see the yard and the boom do not made of wood. It looks like fiberglass tubes. Am I right? Please suggest the right material for boom & yard. (I’m building the Goose now )

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi! Congratulations on the build! The Goose is an awesome boat! The boom and yard are made from windsurf masts leftovers, some are 70% carbon and some 100% carbon. I joined the two bases to make the boom and the two top sections to make the yard. You can have a look on this video where I make the boom. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYCch4uwfr2Aa68 Good luck with the build. 💪

[@kimmccullough6802]

I enjoy your videos. Looking for a new boat and am wondering what you think of a flat bottom boat? Pounding in a lumpy water while sailing and at anchor.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Kim! The flat bottom is not a big problem when sailing as you can always allow the boat to heel a bit more and the chine turns it into a V bottom boat. Have a look here for some choppy conditions, in particularly on the return trip : kzbin.info/www/bejne/p2S5fJV8aLOfpJo At anchor it doesn't "pound" since the bow is quite sharp and it's close to the water, but it does rock quite a bit and it's kind of noisy.

[@kimmccullough6802]

Thank you. Video is one of my favorites. Looks like fun.

[@davidbarrett7424]

Have you tried a cascading kicker system for a very powerful downhaul? Free running, cheap and neat too!

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi David! I used some blocks I already had to make the 8:1, but don't think the boom can take much more than this tbh! Have a look at the boom at 9:52

[@gerrys6265]

Thanks, great videos! how do you have your bleater set up?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi, I tie the bleater so that the tack of the sail stays around 25cm from the front of the mast. Then I place the downhaul maybe 3 inches from the aft face of the mast.

[@gerrys6265]

@@TheBoatRambler Thanks...I have never found a downhaul that useful but am starting to change my mind....

[@juliannewstead5329]

Do you put better at top of mast

[@jasonstork9606]

Quick question. Is the traveler on the mainsheet essential? What does it achieve. It is to change angle of the mainsheet to pull more downwards on the boom to keep the sail shape? Curious if this is why I am struggling to point to wind very well?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Jason! The Balanced lug sail doesn't have a dedicated boom vang so yes the traveler is really important and it will allow you to control the sail shape better by keeping the boom lower, more tension on the leech and less twist on the top of the sail. As a result the boat should point much better.

[@nandofernandes2820]

Teo, What are the spars made of and where did you aquire them. Thanks

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Nando, The yard is made of two tips of windsurf masts joined together and the boom is the bases of the masts also joined together. Check this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYCch4uwfr2Aa68

[@johnhaughey5347]

Hi Teo Is the nylon rope whipping on boom a good alternative to leather on a traditional wooden boom and yard?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hey John! I have used polyester/nylon rope on the GIS boom and yard and I'm quite happy with it. Also around this area the traditional wrap on the lateen rig yard is made of rope. You can see that wrap here on this video of Princesa's brailing lines. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZDWaph9Z7l0la8

[@johnhaughey5347]

Hi Teo, What size rope/ dyneema/ spectra do you use for the prussik loops on the boom. Thank you

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi John, I used 4mm Poly rope and 4mm dyneema and tbh the Poly worked a lot better than the dyneema!

[@johnhaughey5347]

@@TheBoatRambler thanks Teo

[@mrbisaya]

is the boom made from windsurfing mast?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Yes it's made from two bottom sections of two windsurf masts. More details here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYCch4uwfr2Aa68

[@BensWorkshop]

It's interesting how complex (possibly just appearances) sail rigging is even on a single sail. Obviously once you are used to it I suspect it isn't complex at all.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Once you understand a set up you'll see it's not complicated to rig. Sail trimming on the other hand...always learning!😅

[@BensWorkshop]

@@TheBoatRambler I expect that you are right.

[@TheBoatRambler]

sometimes...😅

[@gregaldworth1200]

Yes, round turns around the yard are best, 100% of the load applied to 100% of the yard. These are very old practices which remain valid today.

[@theheresiarch3740]

As KZbin's local expert on the Goat Island Skiff, do you think it could be rigged as a standing lug (without a boom) instead without losing a ton of power? I was thinking about building one to help people learn how to sail, but I always worry about newbies taking a boom to the noggin.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Evan! I'm by no means an expert, some of the guys have sailed a GIS for decades while I'm only on my second season! I have no idea about standing lugs but on the GIS's current rig you can always set the first reef and leave the yard at the mast top. That will give you lots height under the boom and still a lot of sail to play with.

[@rdhancock0418]

Does anyone know why the sail is attached down the length of the yard but not the boom?

[@TheBoatRambler]

the sail can also be attached along the boom, it's called a "fixed foot sail". When it's attached only at the clew and tack on the boom (like in this video) it's called a "Loose Foot sail" . On the loose foot sail the depth of the sail can be controlled using the outhaul and it provides more power and better shape/performance in different winds.

[@tleeb1968]

What diameter line to you wrap your yards with?

[@TheBoatRambler]

It's not critical, 3mm is a nice size.

[@tleeb1968]

@@TheBoatRambler I was thinking of buying a whole bunch of 3/16 (5mm?) line for wrapping and then whatever else might come up. I could use this weight for tying sails on etc.

[@stephencifka4629]

What knot are you using when attaching the sail to yard?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Stephen! both on the Peak and throat (and most loops) I tend to use a double fisherman´s knot.

[@stephencifka4629]

@@TheBoatRambler kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3m4p2ClhLKqiKM

[@TheBoatRambler]

That's the one! Sometimes I also use single fisherman's knot.😉

[@andrasvarga4066]

Elől..

[@terrygreene1395]

I thought you said this was an easy sail to rig up……..looks very complicated to me.

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi Terry, Maybe because you're not familiar with it. Once you rig the yard and boom they stay rigged, and if you transport every thing rigged in the boat it should take about 5 minutes to put the mast up and launch the boat. It is also very simple to hoist and lower sail while sailing, simple to reef etc.

[@leechantrell9445]

For some folks, to tie their own bootlaces is a challenge. Follow the guidance offered

[@danoization363]

is there a way to get a template for the down hall rigging?

[@TheBoatRambler]

Hi, half way through this video I try to explain how to make the downhaul, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIamiJ2aoth2nJI