Posted by Terence McManus on June 13, 1997 at 02:29:59:
In Reply to: Swallow's Rigging posted by Bob Hollis on June 12, 1997 at 20:41:30:
With a lug rig the forward end of the spar along the top edge of the sail (the yard)
and the leading edge of the sail (the luff) protrude forward of the mast.
This can be seen clearly in the pictures in Stuart Wier's article "The Boats of Swallows and Amazons".
The luff is loose, ie the leading edge of the sail is not attached to the mast.
With a gaff rig the forward end of the spar along the top edge of the sail (the gaff)
is attached to the mast by "jaws" (Staurt Wier's pictures show the boom at the foot
of the lug sail attached to the mast in this way). The luff of a gaff sail is attached
to the mast either by lacing with line or with wooden hoops. Whereas the lug rig uses
one halyard to raise the sail a gaff rig normally requires two (the throat halyard and the
peak halyard).
Most gaff rigged vessels carry one or more triangular sails (fores'ls) before the mast.
These help to balance the vessel and make it easier to helm and improve windward performance.
The simplicity of the lug rig makes it suitable for small boats: although large lug rigged
"luggers" with two or more masts were common working boats along the English coast.
The gaff rig has the advantage of better windward performance, ie the boat can sail closer
to the direction the wind is blowing from.
I hope this is clear, it would be better explained with pictures...