Winter sailing sneakbox sprit rig

[CaptBobKeeney]

I love finding old sneakbox sails this is over 100 years old all hand sewn canvas “Army Duck” it is a winter sprit rig. To tell if it’s a winter sail rig the mast, boom and sprit will be smaller this rig here is a 6ft mast and 6ft boom and at one time a 8ft sprit pole and 50sqft of sail. While summer rigs will have a 12ft mast and 12ft boom and 14ft sprit pole and 100 sqft of sail. The winter rigs were smaller because it is a stronger wind on the water so you wanted a smaller sail because it was easier to work with as well as a safer sail so it wouldn't over power you flip the boat in the 34 degree water. Last picture is of a gunner sailing his winter sprit rig notice the small size.

 

[greg setter]

This is really interesting Bob. Can't be many of these around.

 

[Richard Lathrop]

I love finding old sneakbox sails this is over 100 years old all hand sewn canvas “Army Duck” it is a winter sprit rig. To tell if it’s a winter sail rig the mast, boom and sprit will be smaller this rig here is a 6ft mast and 6ft boom and at one time a 8ft sprit pole and 50sqft of sail. While summer rigs will have a 12ft mast and 12ft boom and 14ft sprit pole and 100 sqft of sail. The winter rigs were smaller because it is a stronger wind on the water so you wanted a smaller sail because it was easier to work with as well as a safer sail so it wouldn't over power you flip the boat in the 34 degree water.

Was the sail made up of smaller pieces or just patched over time? One of the items I have read is the mast is short enough to store inside the sneakbox. Chapelle commented that hunters would row out in the morning and sail back in the afternoon since winds typically didn't start until afternoon on the NJ coast.

 

[CaptBobKeeney]

This is really interesting Bob. Can't be many of these around.

Correct Greg there is not to many left.

 

[CaptBobKeeney]

Was the sail made up of smaller pieces or just patched over time? One of the items I have read is the mast is short enough to store inside the sneakbox. Chapelle commented that hunters would row out in the morning and sail back in the afternoon since winds typically didn't start until afternoon on the NJ coast.

Hey Rich, over time this sail has been patched but it was all sewn on sheet and connected to the mast and boom. Chapelle is correct most gunners would row in the morning and sail home in the afternoon. The mast, boom and sprit pole would be stored in the boat while rowing.

 

[Steve Sanford]

I love finding old sneakbox sails this is over 100 years old all hand sewn canvas “Army Duck” it is a winter sprit rig. To tell if it’s a winter sail rig the mast, boom and sprit will be smaller this rig here is a 6ft mast and 6ft boom and at one time a 8ft sprit pole and 50sqft of sail. While summer rigs will have a 12ft mast and 12ft boom and 14ft sprit pole and 100 sqft of sail. The winter rigs were smaller because it is a stronger wind on the water so you wanted a smaller sail because it was easier to work with as well as a safer sail so it wouldn't over power you flip the boat in the 34 degree water. Last picture is of a gunner sailing his winter sprit rig notice the small size.

Bob~

Great photos! Many years ago I made the spars for my 1920-30 Benjamin Hallock Scooter - but never got around to sewing a sail. The dream of coming home with a gentle following wind still lingers. In actuality, I used my outboard-powered gunning vessels day-in-day-out - and the Scooter got used rarely. I still hope to gun it in the ice before I find a permanent home for her.

Having sailed a 22-foot gaff sloop for many seasons - nothing tugs at the heart like a 4-sided mainsail....

All the best,

SJS