in mast/boom reefing/takeing sails down 505/simila

My concern is a 505 is an awfully big lump for a singlehanded boat, and By the time you get the sail area down to something sensible or singlehanding its liable to be way out of proportion with the boat, which means the results are likely to be unsatisfactory.

However having said that the biggest trouble with small sails on dinghies is that once the sail is down from the top of the mast the mast isn't bending properly, and that doesn't help the handling one little bit. If someone wants a cut down rig on a 505 hull for recreational sailing (and why not) they are better off with a complete new rig. Trouble is I'm not sure what to suggest that might be suitable. The biggest challenge is to get a different jib to sheet properly. Something like a National 12 rig might work: sometimes you can find rigs on eBay.

I really think though, in your position, it really might be more practical to have a moderate price Laser or something.

Thanks for your help, I do have crew sometimes so I think I'll set it up for two for starters. It has an aluminium mast but no boom or rigging I shall try my locall boatyards and yacht club for the national 12 rig or similar. Its an all second hand project where I hope/expect to learn by trial and error.

Originally posted by JimC ...the biggest trouble with small sails on dinghies is that once the sail is down from the top of the mast the mast isn't bending properly, and that doesn't help the handling one little bit.

I'd be interested to hear more about this, as I was contemplating getting a cheap Graduate/N12/Miracle/Firefly mainsail for my old Merlin Rocket, giving me the option to sail with novice crews and/or cope with heavier winds more easily. For cruising, not racing!