Crab Claw rig

45 members

Description

please feel free to add pictures and any kind of info's to this crab claw group.
Comments Discussions Members

Crab claw rig for Tiki 21?

by Scott Veirs

Feb 4, 2010

Does anyone know of any attempts/tests of a crab claw rig for a Tiki 21?  Inspired in part -- I think -- by crewing on Aluna's trip out to Hawaii, Thomas Nielson introduced Mike and me to the idea as we were dreading building a 21.5' round mast out of square timbers (as called for in the plans).  

Thomas made this sketch a couple weeks ago...


...which I find remarkably similar to the first of Hans' drawings on the comment wall:



Glenn Tieman responded a few days ago saying he didn't think much of Thomas' sketch.  He recommended sticking to the plans, but unfortunately he didn't offer any brighter ideas about how/whether a crab claw rig could work.  What do you all think?

How cool would it be to have an efficient, family-safe, rig that utilized the 12-18' long, 2-4" diameter bamboo poles that are so cheap and prevalent here in non-Tropical Seattle?!

Fair winds,
Scott

Load Previous Replies
  • up

    Scott Veirs

    Still working on optimal combinations of mast (bamboo or Al) and sails here in Seattle.  Here's a couple links to recent experiences with the crab claw rig:

    http://econscience.org/tiki/2011/09/26/breaking-bamboo-on-lake-wash...

    http://econscience.org/tiki/gallery/?album=2&gallery=19

    Our next steps are trying a Wakataitea style halyard system on our bamboo mast, getting a stronger (Al) 21' mast to open up more rig/rigging options, making a maststep system to experiment with mast position between center and forward beams, and making another crab claw sail with stiffer spars (wind surfer masts?).

     

     

    Oct 21, 2011

  • up

    Scott Veirs

    Well it's been too long, but here at last is a history of the last few years of experiments with crab claws on our Tiki 21, Milagra. 

    http://econscience.org/tiki/2015/02/15/performance-of-a-bamboo-poly...

    The halyard and sheet attachments have worked well (no further breaks of the bamboo spars), and the polytarp and bamboo have held up.  The Race to Alaska is inspiring us to try out some new spar materials and make some new sails, so stay tuned for more data from the Pacific Northwest.

    We'd love to hear from anyone who has succeeded in getting crab claws to point well (tacking through less than 120 degrees), particularly in light winds.  Follow our crab claw experiments on our race boat -- a Hitia 17 -- here:

    http://searunners.net

    Feb 17, 2015

  • up

    Steve W

    Hi Scott, I know it's been a while since you've been active on the forum, but I'd like to ask for the benefit of your experience with Crab Claw on a Tiki. I'm rebuilding a Tiki 26 and designing a Crab Claw rig. What's your take on the best way to install the rig?

    My starter design is stubmast about 15' stepped on the forebeam, approx 220 sq ft sail with curved bamboo spars, hardwood yoke to the mast, but provision to experiment allowing the tack to go fwd of the mast. Possible jib.

    Thanks for any help,

    Steve

    Jul 14, 2018