The company didn't go with your usual Sand Hill Road suspects here, instead opting for an unconventional set of industry veterans and family offices along with Forestay Capital, Swiss entrepreneur, Ernesto Bertarelli's technology fund.
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Lausanne, Switzerland-based Nexthink has nailed down $85 million in funding led by Index Ventures (which has a base in nearby Geneva), with participation also from Highland Europe, Forestay Capital, Galéo Capital and TOP Funds and Olivier Pomel (co-founder and CEO of Datadog).
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On a sailing vessel, a forestay, sometimes just called a stay, is a piece of standing rigging which keeps a mast from falling backwards. It is attached either at the very top of the mast, or in fractional rigs between about 1/8 and 1/4 from the top of the mast. The other end of the forestay is attached to the bow of the boat. Often a sail is attached to the forestay.
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On a sloop, there is a single forestay that runs from the top of the mast forward to the prow, and in addition to bracing the mast it provides a firm support to which a jib can be attached. When this forestay is covered with a roller-furling jib, which cannot be quickly removed, it becomes impossible to attach a different sail to the same stay. For this reason, some boats are fitted with a "solent stay". A solent stay is a moveable stay that is fixed to the top of the mast just below the forestay.
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A solent stay serves essentially as an alternative forestay when a roller-fuller prevents raising a different sail on the same line. On a cutter, the staysail stay is parallel to the forestay, but a significant distance behind and below it, allowing sails to be flown from both the forestay and the staysail stay at the same time. Since a staysail on a cutter does not run all the way to the mast-top, it may cause bend in the mast unless the pull is balanced by a running backstay. A solent stay has additional uses.
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This sail may be a jib or a genoa. In a cutter rig, the jib or jibs are flown from stays in front of the forestay, perhaps going from the masthead to a bowsprit. The sail on the forestay is then referred to as the staysail or stays'l. A forestay might be made from stainless steel wire on a modern yacht, solid stainless steel rod, carbon rod, or ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (such as Spectra or Dyneema) on a high-performance racing boat, and galvanised wire or natural fibers on an older cutter or square-rigged ship.
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Another function of the running backstay is to adjust the tension of the forestay to suit the sailing angle and sea condition. In general, during a hard beat when the boat sails very close to the wind, the running backstay is tightened to increase the tension of the forestay. The genoa is sheeted in. Under these conditions, the draft of the genoa is brought forward reducing the drag.
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For sailing the design is equipped with an adjustable forestay and fixed shrouds, a 2:1 mechanical advantage Cunningham, a 10:1 boom vang and an internally-mounted outhaul.
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A second method is to attach two poles called shear legs in an A-frame configuration with poles running from the sheer to meet above the boat. The mast can then be hauled upward using the forestay. This method requires additional equipment. A third method is to attach a pole to the winch post on the trailer and haul the mast upwards once again with the forestay, which also requires additional equipment.
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On a fractional-rigged sloop, the forestay attaches to the mast at a point below the top. A sloop may use a bowsprit, a spar that projects forward from the bow.
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The sheets are passed to either side of the forestay, attached to the clew; they may be passed forward of the luff of the asymmetric, or aft of the luff of the asymmetric, between the tack line and the forestay. The sheet on the downwind (lee) side of the hull is used to trim the sail, and the opposite sheet is left slack. Often a tack line is used at leading edge to provide adjustable tension on the luff of the spinnaker. To keep the tack near the centerline of the boat, it may be attached to the forestay with a sliding collar (often riding over the furled jib on parrel beads, tacker or similar device) adjustable with a down haul, or tack line.
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Much like a jib, all that is required is to change sheets. However, since the asymmetric still flies in front of the forestay, the operation is reversed. The loaded sheet is slackened, and the opposite (lazy) sheet is pulled in, which allows the sail to pass around in front of the forestay, and then be sheeted in on the new lee side of the boat. Retrieving the asymmetric is similar to the process for the symmetric.
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A shell with positive flotation, self-bailing capacity, a non-binding stretcher, and no forestay so re-entry is easier. These boats are generally shorter and wider at the waterline than boats designed for flat water racing.
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On large sailing ships, however, particularly square-riggers, the shrouds end at the projections (called tops or crosstrees) and their loads are carried into the mast slightly further down by futtock shrouds. Contrast with forestay and backstay.
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In keeping with the general philosophy of working boats, all sails would therefore be traditionally treated with red oxide and other substances. Foot of the forestay and windlasses on SB Pudge and SB Centaur The problem of the inaccessibility of gear was met in the Thames barge by stepping the mast in a tabernacle and using a windlass on the foredeck to strike the whole lot, mast, sprit, sails and rigging. The crew could sail under a low bridge such as at Aylesford or Rochester the without losing steerage way. The windlass is below the tack of the foresail and the tackle at the foot of the forestay.
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Additionally if there is no mainsail there is difficulty in heaving to or coming to rest with sails set and boat "weathercocked" with bows into the wind. This can make the boat much more vulnerable in storms when a partly furled foresail has exactly the wrong effect on boat position relative to wind and waves while hove-to and this, though less of an issue for racing, is still an issue for long-distance cruising. The performance of the sail is dependent on having a forestay which is taut. If the forestay is allowed to slack, the sail will lose its airfoil shape and not perform as well.
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The deck stepped mast is supported by shrouds and a forestay and rotates on a pin at the step. To allow adults to sail Firebugs comfortably, the design brings the sheet down from the boom in front of the centerboard box allowing greater space for the sailor.
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As a direct consequence of its attachment point (below the top of the mast) a running backstay is always adjustable because it must be manually engaged and disengaged during every tack or jibe. Adjusting the tension on the running backstay has two effects: First, the forestay is tensioned (controls sag in headsail) and Second, mast bend is increased (the mast becomes more bent). The overall effect of tensioning the running backstay is a shallower mainsail (less camber) combined with a reduction in headsail sag. If the running backstays lead to the mast where the forestay attaches, the effect of tensioning them will reduce sag in the headsail and second, increase mast bend and flatten the mainsail as a result.
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The original barges were rigged with hemp, where most barges in use today use wire ropes. The standing rigging had to hold the masts, and sprit in place. As the masts were lowered and raised to clear bridges the forestay was connected to the windlass. The topmast could be lowered.
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Both the mainsail and jib have built-in leech lines. Unusually the jib does not mount to the forestay, but is tensioned by its halyard. The boat is equipped with a stowage bin, hiking straps, plus dual Elystrom vacuum bailers. Factory options included a spinnaker, whisker pole and mainsail jiffy reefing.
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Running backstays support the headstay in a fractionally rigged boat. A masthead rig has the advantage of not needing them. A running backstay runs from each lateral corner of the stern to the mast at the level where the forestay begins in the fractional rig. Together with other rigging, it supports the mast.
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This is a yawl rig with a (standing lug) mainsail. The main mast is stepped on the keelson and it is secured by an iron clamp to the second thwart. It is held by a forestay and two shrouds. The mizzen is stepped abaft the stern benches in a shoe on the hog.
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On February 13, 1989 Thursday's Child beat the 135 year old clipper ship record sailing from New York to San Francisco. A third generation B&R; rig mounted the mast on a tripod of struts, had a single forestay and no backstay. In 1993 the third generation was incorporated into the all carbon/kevlar yacht Route 66.
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Backstays are not always found on all vessels, especially smaller ones. A permanent backstay is attached at the top of the mast and may or may not be readily adjustable. In a masthead rig, tensioning the permanent backstay will directly tension the forestay. This control is used to adjust the amount of "sag" in the headsail.
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The Ljungström yacht Vingen 10. Foto: 2010. Ljungström rig is the name for the sailing rig designed by Swedish engineer Fredrik Ljungström with double main sails and rotating mast, but without boom, foresail, forestay and shroud. The early models of the Ljungström sailboat had a stern stay but this was omitted around 1945, before the model 12 (Vingen 12).
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The foredeck is typical, containing an anchor roller and locker, two mooring cleats, and the forestay. The area under the roller and cleats is trimmed out in teak. The front overhead hatch is on an elevated section over the V-berth portion of the cabin. There is a clear space between the anchor locker and the cabin allowing for maneuverability on deck.
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The Folkboat is a fractionally rigged sloop, with the forestay attached 7/8s the way to the masthead. This Puts less pressure on the mast, and makes the boat less top-heavy than a masthead rigged sloop. It also makes the boat easier to sail into the wind. The standard suit of sails a mainsail and jib, both with reefing ties.
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Although this design gives the 18 a speed advantage, it requires the use of daggerboards when sailing close-hauled or reaching to prevent slipping. The typical configuration for the Hobie 18 is with both a main sail and a jib. The jib on the 18 is set up on a rolling/furling system that wraps the jib around the forestay when it isn't needed.
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On the other hand, the iteration that was produced by C&L; Boatworks first appeared in 1968; its strict one design has remained unchanged since then. The mast has a pin through it that acts as a pivot point, which is held in a tabernacle. When rigged with a tackle on the forestay, it can be lowered to pass beneath bridges. The pivot also facilitates mast raising.
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To the west, the area extends beyond the valleys of the Forestay on the hill of Le Signal at up to above sea level. Chexbres includes the hamlet of Le Monte Iller at above sea level on the slope below the village, amid the vineyards and a number of farms. Chexbres is bordered by Rivaz, Puidoux and Saint-Saphorin (Lavaux). Chexbres has an area, , of .
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A backstay is a piece of standing rigging on a sailing vessel that runs from the mast to either its transom or rear quarter, counteracting the forestay and jib. It is an important sail trim control and has a direct effect on the shape of the mainsail and the headsail. Backstays are generally adjusted by block and tackle, hydraulic adjusters, or lines leading to winches.
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The forestay is shown as passing over a small fork above the yardarm, which supports a square sail: a branch is tied to the mast-top. The stern is surmounted by double half-hoops which could support a covering. The sketches by Phillips imply that such a vessel was common in his day. The keel would improve the handling of the boatSee Ua Maoileoin, pp.
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A gaff cutter The cutter is similar to a sloop with a single mast and mainsail, but generally carries the mast further aft to allow for a jib and staysail to be attached to the head stay and inner forestay, respectively. Once a common racing configuration, today it gives versatility to cruising boats, especially in allowing a small staysail to be flown from the inner stay in high winds.
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The boat has a draft of with the centerboard extended and with it retracted, allowing beaching or ground transportation on a trailer. For sailing the design has foam flotation, mainsail boom roller reefing, a boom vang and mainsheet traveler with a bridle. The boat may be equipped with spinnaker of and hiking straps. The mast is supported by a forestay and shrouds, but no jumper stays or backstay.
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King's Legend was probably built in a year and a half, and upon completion, she was one of the fastest sailing yachts in the world. King's Legend's first home port was in Cowes, on the Isle of Wight. This is where the ship's crew prepared for the Whitbread Race. Their training sessions went well, with the exception of a broken mast due to the forestay not being thick enough.
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Typically the symmetric spinnaker is packed in its own bag, called a turtle, with the three corners on top for ready access. The clews (lower corners) are controlled by lines called sheets. The sheets are run in front (outside) of the forestay and lead to the back of the boat. The head (top corner) is attached to the spinnaker halyard, which is used to raise the sail up the mast.
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Later examples of the boat, between 1980 and 1985 are fitted with a Japanese Yanmar 3GM diesel engine of . The catboat version has simple rigging with only a forestay on the mast and the mainsheet for controlling the sail. Factory standard equipment includes a boat hook, fog horn, fire extinguisher and life jackets. Accommodation includes a settee on the port side of the bow and a starboard settee slightly aft.
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A Ljungström rig usually has two sails, stitched together at the luff. On all points of sail, except a full run, these sails are close together. In the unlikely event that one of the sails would rip the other still stands and the boat can safely reach harbor. The Ljungström rig is often compared with a staysail with the big difference that the mast bends inversely to the forestay.
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The Cheshire 14 is a recreational sailboat, with the hulls built predominantly of fiberglass with internal tubular frames. The hulls are connected by three tubular aluminum cross-members, which also support the mainsheet traveler, the mast and the forestay respectively. The boat has a fractional sloop rig with a rotating mast and anodized aluminum spars. The hulls have spooned raked stems , vertical transoms, dual transom- hung rudders controlled by a tiller and dual retractable centerboards.
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Carved images of the birlinn from the sixteenth century and earlier show the typical rigging: braces, forestay and backstay, shrouds (fore and aft), halyard and a parrel (a movable loop used to secure a yard or gaff to a mast). There is a rudder with pintles on the leading edge, inserted into gudgeons.Rixson, p. 138 It is possible that use was made of a wooden bowline or reaching spar (called a beitass by the Norse).
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Most fore-and-aft rigged vessels have the following types of standing rigging: a forestay, a backstay, and upper and lower shrouds (side stays). Less common rigging configurations are diamond stays and jumpers. Both of these are used to keep a thin mast in column especially under the load of a large down wind sail or in strong wind. Rigging parts include swageless terminals, swage terminals, shackle toggle terminals and fail-safe wire rigging insulators.
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Most fore-and-aft rigged vessels have the following types of standing rigging: a forestay, a backstay, and upper and lower shrouds (side stays). Less common rigging configurations are diamond stays and jumpers. Both of these are used to keep a thin mast in column especially under the load of a large down wind sail or in strong wind. Rigging parts include swageless terminals, swage terminals, shackle toggle terminals and fail-safe wire rigging insulators.
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49er with a gennaker (yellow) A gennaker is a sail that was developed around 1990. Used when sailing downwind, it is a cross between a genoa and a spinnaker. It is not symmetric like a true spinnaker but is asymmetric like a genoa, but the gennaker is not attached to the forestay like a jib or genoa. The gennaker is rigged like a spinnaker but the tack is fastened to the hull or to a bowsprit.
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It was a straight, strong and flexible wood. An added advantage may have been that the wood bled red tannin, a colour strongly favoured by Māori. Herman Spöring during Cook's first voyage to New Zealand in 1769 The head of the triangle sail was the shortest—about —and often decorated with tufts of feathers that may have served as wind indicators. The mast was held in place by a forestay, a backstay and two side stays.
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Due to the tight luff and flat cut, the code 0 can be fitted for roller furling. Some boats even carry two code zeros, usually referred to as the masthead zero (MH0) and the fractional zero (FR0). The luff of the masthead zero will run from the tack to the top of the mast. The luff of the fractional zero will run from the tack to the top of the forestay on a boat that is a fractional rig.
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The Capri Cyclone is a recreational sailboat, built predominantly of fiberglass with foam flotation. It has a stayed catboat rig with a short forestay, aluminum spars, a flexible mast and a loose-footed mainsail with mid-boom sheeting and a full cockpit width mainsheet traveler. The hull design features a spooned raked stem, a vertical transom, a transom-hung fiberglass rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable fiberglass daggerboard. There is a forward compartment for stowage, closed by a hatch.
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A spinnaker chute is usually a tube or aperture in the deck close to the forestay, for the launching and recovery of the spinnaker. They are most commonly found on modern dinghy designs, and updated older classes. To allow recovery of the spinnaker into the chute, one or more recovery patches are fitted to the spinnaker, to which the tail of the spinnaker halyard is attached or passed through. The spinnaker and its halyard thus form a continuous loop, passing through the chute.
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This allows the tack to slide up and down the forestay to adjust the luff tension. On racing boats, the tack of the asymmetric is often rigged to a retractable bowsprit, which increases the foretriangle area and prevents interference with the jib. As this trend becomes more popular in racing boats, it may result in similar adaptations to cruising boats as well. Jibing with the asymmetric is much less complex than the symmetric, due to the lack of the spinnaker pole.
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UFO 34 an example of a masthead-rigged yacht A masthead rig on a sailing vessel consists of a forestay and backstay both attached at the top of the mast. The Bermuda rig can be split into two groups: the masthead rig and the fractional rig. The masthead rig has larger and more headsails, and a smaller mainsail, compared to the fractional rig. The major advantage a masthead sloop has over a fractional one, is that the jib is larger.
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The toroidal-shaped stadium roof is held together by a tensioned system, which has been described as "ground-breaking" by New Steel Construction magazine. The stadium's architectural focal point is the sweeping roof and support masts which are separate from the concrete bowl. A catenary cable is situated around the inner perimeter of the roof structure which is tied to the masts via forestay cables. Backstay cables and corner ties from the masts are connected to the ground to support the structure.
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The inside of each hull can be reached through a hatch cover located at the rear of each hull. The boat is assembled by attaching the main and rear beams to the hulls with spring-loaded retaining clips, and lacing the trampoline to the beams and hulls. The two rudders are removable without tools, retract on impact with the beach, and can be locked in the up position. The rigging consists of a rotating mast held by a forestay and two shroud wires.
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Most Westsail 32s were rigged as cutters; i.e. with a single mast, mainsail, forestaysail and jib. The forestay terminates on the bow; a six-foot bowsprit supports the headstay, and the backstay terminates on a short boomkin, bringing the overall length with appendages of the typical boat to . The shroud chainplates are bolted to the outside of the hull, making for a strong and reliable design, with clear side decks, at the expense of some sheeting angle for the jib.
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When mounted, a different pulpit was used and the forestay was shortened to accommodate the wooden platform, but retained the same attachment point and sail plan. Other options include a flushing head, pressurized water, a hot water tank and a reboarding ladder. The design's hull is molded in a single piece using polyester resin and fiberglass woven roving, as well as multidirectional chopped strand fibers (MSCF). The keel is integral to the hull and the ballast is internal to the keel.
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The trapeze has several colloquial names such as "the wire" or simply "the trap". When a boat loses power in its sails, and heels to the windward side, the crew on the trapeze may get dipped in the water if they do not react in time. Some classes allow footloops on the gunwale to allow those on the trapeze to locate their feet with relative security. This helps to prevent the crew from swinging forward, sometimes round the forestay when the boat decelerates suddenly.
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The centerboard boasts an impressive draft when down and retracts by swinging aft on a pivot. The rig is supported by one set of upper side stays and one set of lower side stays, along with a forestay integrated into the roller furling jib. There is no backstay, and as a result the stern remains quite clear most of the time. Controls for the cunningham and boomvang are led back to the skipper under a removable spine that keeps them from becoming tangled in Jib Spinnaker sheets.
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NZL 82 retired due to multiple gear failures in the rigging and the low cockpit unexpectedly taking onboard large quantities of water. The end of the boom snapped off due to increased stress caused by the weight of water in the boat. In addition the headsail pulled out of the groove in the forestay foil, damaging it and preventing a new sail from being hoisted. Race 4 was sailed in strong winds and rough seas and NZL 82s mast snapped on the third leg causing retirement.
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Bermuda rigged sloop at Convict Bay, Bermuda, circa 1879 The most common modern sailboat is the sloop, which features one mast and two sails, typically a Bermuda rigged main, and a headsail. This simple configuration is very efficient for sailing into the wind. A fractional rigged sloop has its forestay attached at a point below the top of the mast, allowing the mainsail to be flattened to improve performance by raking the upper part of the mast aft by tensioning the backstay. A smaller headsail is easier for a short-handed crew to manage.
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Early Babas had no lower shrouds, but these were soon added after a dismasting. The rig is a traditional cutter style and a characteristic feature of many of Robert Perry's boats from this stable is a 4 ft laminated teak bowsprit which supports the forestay/headsail. A large platform sits on the bowsprit supporting two anchor rollers, a set-up typical on many long distance cruisers where two anchors are desirable in many exposed anchorages. Most Babas are fitted with Edson or similar wheel steering systems, however a few tiller steered versions exist.
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Lake Geneva as seen from Chexbres (Ferdinand Hodler, 1905) Chexbres is located at above sea level, east-southeast of the capital of the canton of Lausanne (as the crow flies). The village covers an area east of the Forestay river, in Lavaux, a scenic location about above the lake level of Lake Geneva. The community itself has no direct lake access, but extends to the east of the Château de Glérolles almost to the shores of Lake Geneva. Crêt Bérard at above sea level is the highest point of Chexbres.
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In a fractional rig, tensioning the permanent backstay will have two effects: First, the forestay is tensioned (controls sag in headsail) and second, the mast bend is increased, particularly in the upper one-half to one-third of the mast. Increased mast bend tends to reduce the draft (camber) of the mainsail. A running backstay always attaches to the mast at a point below the top of the mast and is generally used in conjunction with a permanent backstay. Running backstays are found on both masthead rigs and fractional rigs.
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The Severn Trow Spry The mast could be taken down so that the trow could go under bridges, such as the bridge at Worcester and the many bridges up and downstream. The mast was stepped in a three sided frame open at the rear but closed with an iron pin or rope lashing. From the top of the mast a forestay ran down to the bow winch. To lower the mast the pin was removed and the winch slackened off to let the mast fall towards the stern.
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Both forward and aft buoyancy compartments are fitted with large watertight hatches and this provides ample stowage space for cruising. The large floor space with flat floorboards and good clearance under thwart makes the Mark I a comfortable boat for two people to sleep in, when a boom-tent is erected for shelter. The mast is held in a tabernacle, which when rigged with a tackle on the forestay allows the mast to be lowered to pass beneath bridges. This feature was retained in subsequent models, as was the hull shape.
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Both have a spacious V-berth over six feet long and were available with either a 30-HP Universal Atomic 4 gas inboard or an outboard well. The cockpit can comfortably accommodate 4-6 people, and the boat can sleep 4 adults below decks. Standard steering on the boat was with a tiller, but many owners have installed after-market wheel steering. Other typical upgrades would include a roller furling headstay to replace the original forestay, and upgraded instrumentation such as depth, speed, and wind gauges, which did not come standard on the original boats.
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Features include a raked stem , a raised counter transom, a keel-mounted rudder controlled by a tiller and a fixed long keel with a hydraulically raised, retractable centerboard. It displaces and carries of ballast. The steel tube frame was designed to take the standing rigging loads and pass them through the steel structure to the hull bulkheads and the deck structure. This allowed very high tensions on the cabling, for example on the forestay and allowed a very precise sail shape, providing better performance in light and heavier winds.
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When needed to hold the solent sail, the stay is attached to a point just behind the forestay, where it is tensioned with a tackle or a Highfield lever. When not in use, it must be moved out of the way to allow the genoa to be deployed and tacked from side to side. It may be detached and secured just in front of the mast, or led to one side and fastened next to the shrouds. A solent rig is different from a cutter rig, although a solent may serve the same purpose as the staysail on a cutter.
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In the US, many high school sailing and Intercollegiate Sailing Association programs own fleets of FJs. The college and high school programs in the US use a version of the FJ known as the Club FJ, or CFJ. This boat is slightly different from the International FJ in that it does not use Trapeze and it has a smaller, non-spherical Spinnaker, may have different hull dimensions, and shroud and forestay locations, with respect to the International FJ. Limitations to the equipment series for an FJ are: 1 mainsail, 2 jibs, 1 spinnaker (optional), 1 mast, 1 boom, 2 spinnaker poles, 1 centerboard and 1 rudder.
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It is the most popular yacht rigging because it is easier to sail with a smaller crew or even single- handed, it is cheaper since it has less hardware than more complex rigs, and it sails well into the wind. A limitation is that when a boat gets over 45 feet in length, the sails become so large that they are difficult to handle, although modern technology is helping with this through the use of electric winches and furling systems. The headsail can be masthead-rigged or fractional-rigged. On a masthead-rigged sloop, the forestay (on which the headsail is carried) attaches at the top of the mast.
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The cockpit includes a double bottom (or false floor) which extends through almost to the bow, with deep, self-bailer equipped footwells each side of the centreline; a detachable foredeck was developed but has not been a feature of production boats. While the production deck, which extends well forward of the forestay fitting, would lend itself very well to incorporation of a spinnaker chute, none was ever fitted by the manufacturers, spinnaker stowage relying instead on an elasticated pocket or 'turtle' before the mast, under which the spinnaker could readily be stuffed. At the time, the Class Secretary commented: > This exciting new design incorporates all modern features. The easily > driven, lightweight hull planes readily yet possesses fantastic stability.
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Myth of Malham was a sloop built at Greenock, designed by Laurent Giles to Illingworth's specifications. In a radical departure from the norms of the time, Myth of Malham was of light displacement, with short overhangs in contrast to the elongated overhangs of other yachts. Other innovations included a masthead rig, in which the forestay is carried all the way to the head of the mast, rather than terminating lower down the mast as on the fractional rigs which were the norm at the time. The rating rules at the time attached less significance to the area of headsails than of the mainsail, so the masthead rig effectively gave the boat "free" sail area.
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For instance, the forestay is bolted right through the hull and secured with a bolt hidden at the centre of a bronze casting of a thistle which becomes a feature of the bow. The shrouds and backstay are secured to u-bolts through the deck, eliminating the need for rigging screws. The u-bolts provide a compression packing that can be screwed down tight, and owners report that they seldom leak. The deck is moulded with a lip that turns up to fit inside the hull moulding, and after being glued and glassed in, the join is covered with a custom-designed vinyl moulding that eliminates the common problem of deck/hull leaks, and also serves as a practical rubbing strake.
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', and returning, in effect, "to the lateen-shaped loose-footed sails of the Mediterranean but with a taut forestay replacing the heavy lateen yard..."Rayner, Small Boat Sailing p. 43 A small number of Westcoasters were later modified by the addition of a small bowsprit, with the cutter rig giving an even greater sail area. Bilge or twin keels, a concept for many more years unfamiliar in America, allowed a boat to take the ground upright on a tripod comprising keels and a sturdy skeg, manoeuvre in shallow water, load and tow easily behind a family saloon, and be conveniently launched. Thus Rayner, developing a concept pioneered in 1922 by a fellow member of the RCC, Arthur Balfour, later Lord Riverdale, and became a key player in the expanding field of affordable chine plywood yachts, brilliantly popularised by Robert Tucker's Mystic, Debutante and Silhouette.
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The boat has a draft of with the standard keel fitted. The boat is fitted with a Japanese Yanmar diesel engine of or optionally of , both with 90 degree sail drives and folding propellers. The fuel tank holds and the fresh water tank has a capacity of . Factory standard equipment included a fully battened mainsail, 95% roller furling jib on the inner forestay, hank-on light-wind headsail, gear for an asymmetrical spinnaker, aluminum mast tripod support, mainsheet traveler mounted on a stainless steel arch, eight opening deck hatches, four two-speed self tailing winches, stanchions mounting triple lifelines, anodized spars, fixed bowsprit with an anchor roller and electric windlass, stern "picnic" anchor locker, hot and cold water transom shower, a gimbaled nav station, fully enclosed head with shower, private forward and dual aft cabins, a dinette table, dual sinks, two-burner gimbaled liquid petroleum gas stove and oven, refrigerator and freezer, a water-maker, a fog bell and six life jackets.
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