Gladys is Gunter rigged with a wooden mast and original Dolphin 10 year old sails. I confess at times to contemplating conversion to Bermudan. I suspect I would keep the Gunter for cruising and the Bermudan for Raids. The following is not an attempt to define which is “better” because suitability depends upon intended use and personal objectives.
Sailing Efficiency
In theory Bermudan should be able to point higher and sail faster. In practice Gunter rigged Bayraiders have performed well against Bermudan BRs and BRes at SailCaledonia, Mylor and other races, although so many other factors come into play (crew, tactics, centre board efficiency etc) that success cannot be attributed to the rig.
Reefing
Bermudan should be quicker and simpler because, unless heavily modified, the Gunter yard has to be lowered and the halyard position moved. However Bermudan sails carry the risk of the luff sticking in the mast tracks which on a rising wind on open water could be a real problem. Gunter rigged gear might fail but it’s less likely for gear failure to prevent the main being furled. Getting it back up might be another problem!
If all goes well a reefed gunter sail is tidy without unnecessary mast and windage projecting above. To my mind a reefed gunter rigged BR20 reef looks tidy and is satisfying to sail.
Rigging
Gunter masts can be raised and lowered with the mast foot remaining attached to the tabernacle. I’m not sure which is quicker to rig, Gunter or Bermdan. I think speed of both has more to do with how well organised the skipper is and how many extra bits of stick and string have been added to the standard rig - some of us have more than others! I’ve found lazy jacks are great for smoothly guiding the yard down when reefing but incredibly inventive at getting in a tangle when raising a Gunter mast!
Trailing
Gunter spars don’t overhang the stern beyond the rudder, even with the mast foot left in the tabernacle. If preferred, the mast can be detached, and all the spars fit into the cockpit. Bermudans always seem to have the mast looming over the tow vehicle and be heavier to raise than Gunter mains but no doubt a Bermudan owner will correct me.
Cruising
One of the joys of the Gunter rig is lowering the yard to horizontal and securing the top to the mizzen to form a reassuring handrail at anchor or under motor. It also makes a robust ridge pole for draping a tarp over to make a tent.
Mr Peers points out that air draft is lower for the gunter rig, making it easier to pass under bridges. If the mast has to be lowered it is arguably easier to lower the gunter version and there is no great overhang over the stern to contend with in locks.
Also the geometry of the gunter with its sprit boom dispenses with the need for a kicking strap and gives more headroom in the boat. In that vein has anyone considered the possibility of fitting a GNAV to a bermudan rig to avoid the kicking strap interfering with the spray hood while sailing and also to act as a support strut to the boom when the mainsail is down?
Aesthetics
All in the eye (and probably age) of the beholder. I like the traditional look of a Gunter and it seems more in keeping with events such as Gulf du Morbihan, even if the reality is Gladys is a modern-ish GRP boat underneath.
What do Bermudan owners other Gunter people think? I expect Michael will add something about Junk rigs too...
Matthew
BR20 Gladys
