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The “Balestron Rig”:

The MutliRig^Ô concept can therefore be considered as a further development or improvement of the Balestron Rig, an invention now in the public domain, which main features and advantages are well described (hereunder, in italics) by Rob Denney, who developed his own Easyrig^â version of the Balestron Rig.

An EasyRig is a copy of the rigs used on model boats to reduce deck gear and sheeting loads, and to improve efficiency with eased sheets. It was first used on big boats by Marc Pajot on his 15m (60') tri Elf Acquitaine. It was commercialized by Carbospars who have since built over 100 rigs, and who have an excellent web page.

An Easyrig rig consists of an unstayed mast (generally, but not necessarily, carbon) carrying a main and jib. The main boom extends forward of the mast (the mast passes through the boom) to the tack of the jib. The main and jib are sized so that the force from the mainsail is slightly higher than that from the jib. That is, the combined center of effort is just behind the mast. The angle of incidence of both sails is controlled by a one or two part, lightly loaded sheet. When the sheet is eased, the main moves to leeward, and the jib luffs to windward. The slot remains the same, the rig remains at it's most efficient. There is no need to adjust jib tracks, or sheets, main travelers, boom vangs or halyard tensions.

Ease of use. Once hoisted, there is no trimming required, except for changes of wind direction. This is achieved by pulling in or easing a single, lightly loaded sheet. The center of effort is only slightly aft of the mast, so aligns closely with the centre of resistance. When shunting, there is no need to raise and lower sails, move the rig or the crew, or alter the location of the water foils.

Most sailing is done short handed. With only a lightly loaded sheet and a steering wheel or tiller, crew are redundant. This is probably the biggest drawback of the EasyRig, everyone except the helmsman is bored!

The sails are hoisted and lowered with the rig facing into the wind, regardless of where the boat is pointed. The hoister is only lifting the weight of the sail, not fighting the breeze and associated friction of the slides or luff rope. Apart from lazy jacks (removable) there is nothing to catch the sails on the way up, or down.

EasyRigs are reefed the same way as conventional marconi rigs. Either by slab reefing or roller furling. The difference is, that the EasyRig can be eased until it is pointing directly into the wind, thus reducing loads and effort required. Because the mast flexes at a predetermined wind strength, reefing is less necessary. With all sail lowered, there is considerably less drag from the mast than from a conventional rig with all its wire and spreaders.

A well set up EasyRig will perform upwind almost as well as a constantly trimmed racing marconi rig, and at least as well as any other type of proa rig of similar area on any other point of sail. The ease of adjustment of the rig means that changes are made much easier and therefore more often than on a conventional rig.

Extras can be flown on an EasyRig, but because of the automatic poling out of the jib downwind, they are less necessary. If extras are required, they can either be tacked to the bow and sheeted to the stern of the lee hull, or tacked to an extension on the jib end of the boom, and sheeted to the mainsail end. In this case, the main sheet would need to be attached to the front of the boom. The sheet loads would increase sufficiently to require multipart tackles or winches.

In light, shifty air, it is not uncommon for the breeze to change direction by a large amount. With an EasyRig, the sail will work with the wind from either side. Tacking could not be any easier; there is nothing to do, except steer. This is not recommended in strong wind unless the boat has been designed for it.