When we talk about masthead rigging and fractional rigging, we are referring to the mast and the attachment points of the forestay and backstay. In both cases, this distinction applies to sloops.
What Are We Talking About?
Most of our sailboats are sloop-rigged sailboats. However, it is important to know that within the broad family of different types of rigging, a sloop can be rigged with either a masthead rig or a fractional rig. But what does this mean, and what is the difference when sailing?
On a sailboat, the terms “masthead rig” and “fractional rig” refer to how the mast is supported from the front and back. We will therefore focus on the forestay and backstay, and possibly the vang. Although on our cruising sailboats, vangs are rather rare.
Masthead Rig
The masthead rig is found on many used sailboats designed before the 1990s. It is characterized by the following elements:
- Forestay position: The forestay is attached to the top of the mast, i.e., the masthead.
- Shrouds: The shrouds also extend to the top of the mast.
This type of rigging is considered simpler and more robust. Indeed, the force is evenly distributed along the entire length of the mast. As mentioned earlier, it was often used on cruising sailboats until the 1990s or on older sailboats.
In practice, it has the advantage of making mast adjustment easier but offers fewer fine-tuning options to optimize performance. However, its disadvantage is that masthead-rigged sailboats generally carry a genoa with a very large overlap and a small mainsail.
Fractional Rig
The fractional rig reappeared in the 1990s on cruising sailboats. I say reappeared because, in fact, it had existed for a long time on sailboats before the 1950s. It is characterized by the following elements:
- Forestay position: The forestay does not go all the way to the top of the mast. Its attachment point is located at a fraction of the mast’s height (5/6, 7/8, or 9/10). It is positioned lower than the backstay.
- Shrouds: The main shrouds are also attached at this lower point.
This type of rigging allows for finer adjustments of the sails and mast, which is often preferred for racing sailboats or more modern sailboats. It offers better efficiency in terms of sailboat performance because it allows for better control of the mast shape and, consequently, the sail shape.
The fractional rig can be equipped with a vang. A vang is a rope that helps stabilize the mast and adjust its inclination. It is attached to the lower part of the mast and extends toward the back of the boat. It can be tightened or loosened as needed, depending on the wind direction and sailing conditions. Vangs are mainly found on sailboats where it is important to control the sail shape well, such as in racing or offshore cruising.
Comparison: Masthead Rig vs. Fractional Rig
| Criteria | Masthead Rig | Fractional Rig |
| Simplicity | Simpler and more robust | Less simple, more complex to adjust |
| Performance | Fewer fine-tuning options | Better adjustments for performance |
| Usage | Preferred for cruising and reliability | Often used for competition |