Hi all
I'm 4 years into my second wooden ship, Royal Caroline and still haven't stepped the masts! I am, however looking forward and have just started studying Panarts rigging sheet.
Whilst I have very limited knowledge of how historic ships were sailed, I have experience with sailing both modern sloops and gaffers, and whilst I am not too worried about the historical accuracy of the ship to the nth degree, I do not wish to build a model which I do not believe could be sailable.
.....and so to my question. On the angled yard on the mizzen (I regret that I forget the proper name, but will call it a gaff), Panart show bracers which have a block and tackle but which are seized at both ends. The same is shown on the mizzen yard but the mizzen topgallent is shown as belayed one end. With the gaff permanently seized it would be possible to sail close hauled but when the wind was from the beam or astern it would not be possible to use the sail. Did they lower the two sails that are seized, using only the topgallent sail in freer winds or have Panart got it wrong and one end should be belayed?
Thanks in advance, I'm sure loads of you will put me straight.