adding a sail to a wood lobster boat?

[Jim Richardson]

I am rebuilding a 1960 Robert Rich wood lobster boat and making a cruiser out of it. I am powering it with an 85 HP diesel from a wood schooner I rebuilt and sold.

I am torn down down to the decks, replacing ribs, and everything topside will be new.

The lobster boat and schooner hulls are pretty similar. Has anyone added a sail to a lobster boat?

At the price of diesel it sounds like a good idea.

If it is possible, now is the time.

[mmd]

Sails can - and have - been added to just about anything that can float. It is a not-too-complex exercise to calculate the hull centre of lateral resistance, design a sail plan that balances upon that and the hull centre of flotation, strengthen the hull at the necessary points and you're away. Having just any old hull sail well is quite another matter, tho...

[johnw]

When I was a kid growing up in Maine, all the lobster boats had steady sails. Not to produce drive, just to improve motion. Doesn't steal power the way flopper stoppers do.

[Russ Manheimer]

As long as you don't try to go to weather, a simple lug sail would be great for reaches and runs. Very gentleman like...

Russ

[wtarzia]

As long as you don't try to go to weather, a simple lug sail would be great for reaches and runs. Very gentleman like...Russ

--- And a perfect application for the dipping lug if your typical sailing course is longish. --Wade

[johnw]

A lobsterboat hull is not a good shape for a sailboat, but you could motorsail, idling the engine while using the sail for some push. Probably you would use the sails more if you don't have to go on deck, so a roller furling jib might be good. Balance that with the steady sail in the cockpit. I'd keep the big diesel, though, if you've got 40 knots on the nose, you'll need it to go to windward.