Fairing the Gaff on a Mirror

Submitted by Norfolk Heron on Sat, 12/13/2025 - 07:58

Forums:

Occasionally you see a gaff which has been faired by rounding the square basic form that the boat comes with to something more aerodynamic. Herons for instance - with virtually the same mainsail size tend to have round gaffs and often of smaller dimensions - has anyone any recommendations for the size and form for rounding and reducing the size of the gaff?

PuffinInTegel's picture

PuffinInTegel

Wed, 12/17/2025 - 18:00

Hello and welcome to the Mirrorist hideout!
I would look in the class rules and measurement forms for data on minimum dimensions. However I remember seeing Martin Egan's "Blyskawica" at the European Championships in 2016 and admiring how delicate the gaff was, so I assume that there are no limits apart from the final strength of the spar. Remember that it is unstayed above the masthead, albeit the sail area in that region is quite small so that the forces shouldn't be too great, even in a blow.
In case you didn't know the sources:
https://www.sailing.org/classes/mirror/#Documents .
My gaff is only moderately tapered, I assume the builder of the boat only did this for aesthetic reasons.
Apple cargo
An apple cargo for the pigs on Scharfenberg

Cheers, happy Christmas and a wonderful sailing year 2026 !

Norfolk Heron

Tue, 12/30/2025 - 12:20

Just to say many thanks for the response - I have had a look at the reference which is helpful as I dont want to take her out of class. I will have a gentle rounding and fairing I think to make it a bit less 'square and un-aerodynamic' - I hope the pigs enjoyed the apples. I am looking forward to warmer days and sailing I hope