Contiguous and Split Junk Rigs Compared With Models | I Didn't Expect This! | 23ft Sharpie Build

Changing rigs is one thing. Choosing the right replacement is another. After deciding in my previous video to explore a Junk Rig instead of continuing with my prototype Ljungström rig, I was faced with another important question: Should I build a cambered Split Junk Rig or a Contiguous Junk Rig? Both have passionate supporters, and while there have been full-scale studies and plenty of opinions, I wanted to carry out some experiments of my own. So I built scale models and compared the two under the same conditions. Although model testing can't perfectly predict the performance of a full-sized yacht, it can reveal useful trends—and the results surprised me in ways I wasn't expecting. The testing also led me to another unexpected conclusion. As I looked more closely at what would be involved in converting my yacht to a Junk Rig, I realised the change would require considerably more work than I'd first imagined. That raised another question: should I continue refining the Ljungström rig instead? Building a prototype has taught me that design is rarely a straight path. Every test, every setback, and every new idea brings a better understanding of how the rig, hull, and sailing characteristics all work together. Sometimes the best answer isn't the one you expected to find.