Modern Norwegian Yachts with Chinese Junk Sails (摩登挪威游艇裝配中國風帆 )

Posted by Bevin Chu on

Modern Norwegian Yachts with Chinese Junk Sails (摩登挪威游艇裝配中國風帆 )
[文化創意產業]
(2003/10/17)





Modern Norwegian Yachts with Chinese Junk Sails

Arne Kverneland was unhappy with the usual Bermuda rig on his single-masted sloop Malena. He tried the gaff rig and found it promising. But when Kverneland tried the junk rig that’s when he found what he had been looking for. The Malena has since been sold. Arne is currently constructing a larger boat, also junk rigged.

Svein Magnus Ueland’s 50 foot ferro-cement schooner was designed by Samson Marine. Its junk-rigged sails feature stiff battens of aluminum tubing and full panels.

Nils Johan Aksdal’s ferro-cement schooner is a Colin Archer design, with its topsides raised one foot. Its junk-rigged sails feature stiff battens of aluminum tubing and full panels.

Editor’s Comments:

Even modern yacht hulls designed by naval architects using sophisticated computer programs can benefit from ergonomically designed, easy to use Chinese junk rigs. Long waterline, heavy-displacement sailing ships with multiple masts can be sailed with only a handful of crew members, providing they are junk-rigged.

— Bevin Chu

Explanation: Modern Norwegian Yachts with Chinese Junk Rigs
Illustration(s): Malena with Gaff Rig, Malena with Junk Rig, Samson with Junk Rig, Samson with Junk Rig, Colin Archer with Junk Rig
Author(s): Victor Wintherthun
Affiliation: winterthun.net
Source: http://winterthun.net/victor/photo_gallery.htm
Publication Date: NA
Original Language: English
Editor: Bevin Chu, Registered Architect

4 responses to “Modern Norwegian Yachts with Chinese Junk Sails (摩登挪威游艇裝配中國風帆 )”

    • Dear Arne,

      What a delightful surprise! Arne Kverneland in person. It’s an honor.

      First let me confess that I’m the farthest thing from a yachtsman. The only sailing I ever did was on these Sunfish rentals in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

      But my chosen field was architecture, and the design of sailing vessels of all types has long fascinated me.

      Therefore I genuinely appreciated how you and many of your fellow yachtsmen transcended cultural barriers and affirmed the value of an ancient Chinese invention, based on its intrinsic merits.

      Sincerely,

      Bevin

      Reply

  2. Stavanger, Sat. 20110122
    Bevin,
    As an engineer, I like to not only cross borders for ispiration, but also to have a good look at how things have been done in the past. The combination of old and new methods and matertials can give very good results, as with the junk rigs.
    Regards and good luck with your work!
    Arne

    Reply

    • Dear Arne,

      Years ago I had no understanding of the Chinese junk sail. I had no idea why it looked the way it did.

      Later, when I began reading about it, I came to admire it for its high tech performance achieved by low tech means.

      The fact that a junk sail had such low stresses, could be cobbled together from bamboo and rags, and could be so easily handled by a minimal crew, left me in awe of its ingenuity.

      Thanks again for dropping in, and smooth sailing!

      Bevin

      Reply

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