Hello everyone again. At long last I have finished my shed, built a sewing table and bought an old Singer 237 sewing machine. I've completed a sewing class with some really nice ladies, inviting them to come for a sail when my new rig is complete. I saw that there was a thread some time ago about someone else doing a junk rig conversion on their Flicka sailboat. There also is a junk rig option when the late Bruce Bingham drew the Flicka plans. I will be starting to draw the sail panels soon, using Arne's very helpful articles. I just have a query about the rig, and wonder if anyone can help? When a junk sail is reefed, how do you keep the reefed panels from being lifted up by the wind. I can see that the sheets will keep the clew down, but at the tack there is nothing to keep the reefed battens from lifting, unlike the boom, which can have a tack line. Am I missing something? I forgot to mention, for my first effort I will be using 150 gm ripstop polyester fabric. Best regards, Oz.

Hi Graham and Paul, first, my apologies for the late reply. My shed is nearing completion and my first project will be to make the tabernacle for, I hope, my junk rig mast. My thinking of a fibreglass tabernacle was that instead of a timber one, then sheathing it with Epoxy and cloth, I would make the whole thing out of vinyl ester resin, glass matt and woven roving to a substantial thickness. The finished tabernacle will extend from the boat keel to about one metre above deck level. In all about 2.3 metres. I have included a photo of my home built boat and of the shed. Best regards, Oz.

Thanks for posting, and I am sure I am not the only one who will be watching your progress with interest.  I have completed two junk rig conversions now, (Arion and Blue Moon) and when the funds permit, plan to convert my current yacht, Arion II.  Following the progress of others is always inspiring, and you never know what clever ideas you may come across.