Independent guide: Follow your boat's tuning guide and class or handicap rules when changing the rig.
Quick answer
A cruiser-racer does Wednesday twilights and weekend races, then goes cruising with the family. The rig must be adjustable enough to perform and simple enough to sail short-handed. Most are fractional or near-masthead sloops with swept spreaders, an adjustable backstay and a headsail furler or headfoil. Service planning combines a racer's attention to tuning and running rigging with a cruiser's attention to furlers, UV and age.
Typical rig features
- fractional or near-masthead sloop — see fractional rigs
- swept spreaders, sometimes with no running backstays
- adjustable backstay (cascade tackle or hydraulic)
- furler for cruising, sometimes a headfoil for racing
- asymmetric spinnaker or code zero on a sprit
Dual-use tips
- Mark settings for "cruise" and "race" on the backstay and turnbuckles.
- Use Dyneema-cored halyards to hold shape when racing.
- Consider a removable bowsprit for asymmetrics — see rig modifications.
- Check handicap rules before rig changes that could affect a rating.
Service priorities
- regular tuning checks
- running rigging wear from racing use
- furler service for cruising reliability
- periodic mast-out inspection
Related
Frequently asked questions
What is the most useful rig upgrade for a cruiser-racer?
An effective backstay adjuster is often the most useful, because it controls forestay sag and mast bend, flattening the sails as the breeze builds. Low-stretch halyards and a well-set-up vang and outhaul follow closely.