The Allied Seawind II Sailboat
(aka Seawind 32)
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

A staysail ketch is a type of sailboat that has two masts: a mainmast and a mizzenmast. The mizzenmast on a ketch is located forward of the rudder-post, which distinguishes it from a yawl. A staysail ketch also has a staysail, which is mounted on the inner forestay and creates a slot between the headsail and the mainsail to provide extra lift. This makes it a cutter-rigged ketch.

Some advantages of a staysail ketch are that it has smaller sails that are easier to handle for short-handed or older sailors, it has more sail plan options for different wind conditions, and it can sail well without the mainsail by using the foresail and the mizzen sail.

A cutter rig and a sloop rig are two types of sail rigs that have one mast and a fore-and-aft sail configuration. The main difference between them is the number and position of the headsails. A cutter rig has two headsails (a yankee and a staysail) that are attached to two forestays (a jibstay and a forestay), while a sloop rig has one headsail (a genoa or a jib) that is attached to one forestay.

Some of the benefits of a cutter rig over a sloop rig are:

• A cutter rig breaks down the sail area into smaller, easier to manage sails. This reduces the loads on the winches, sheets, and attachment points, and makes it easier to reef or change sails in strong winds.
• A cutter rig offers more flexibility and versatility in different wind conditions. You can use different combinations of sails to suit your needs, such as using only the staysail and reefed mainsail in heavy weather, or using both headsails and full mainsail in light winds.
• A cutter rig improves the balance and performance of the boat. Having two headsails helps to counteract the weather helm caused by the mainsail, and reduces the need for excessive rudder angle. A cutter rig also allows for a larger foretriangle, which gives more drive and power to the boat.

However, a cutter rig also has some drawbacks compared to a sloop rig, such as:

• A cutter rig costs more than a sloop rig. You need more hardware, sails, and furlers to set up a cutter rig, which adds to the initial expense and maintenance.
• A cutter rig can be more complicated to sail than a sloop rig. You need to trim two headsails instead of one, and deal with more lines and sheets on deck. Tacking a cutter rig can be harder than tacking a sloop rig, especially if you have a large yankee that has to pass through the narrow slot between the stays.
• A cutter rig can interfere with the interior layout of the boat. The inner forestay may require additional reinforcement and support under the deck, which can reduce the space or compromise the design of the cabin.