# Skerry Spritsail Height Above Boat
**URL:** https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836
**Category:** Builder's Forum
**Created:** [March 21, 2019, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836 "2019-03-21T02:05:25Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Steven\_Ballantyne](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steven_Ballantyne)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2019, 2:05am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/1 "2019-03-21T02:05:25Z")
Hi folks. I'm sure John Harris did a lot of experimentation to find the ideal height above the cockpit for the Skerry spritsail. However, I’ve read of a Skerry builder/owner who moved the spritsail to a slightly lower location than the one recommended. Have any of you done this? If so, what was your reason for the change? (aesthetics, performance, etc.). Do you think moving the location of the sail somewhat downward on the mast will affect the Skerry's performance positively or negatively?
I’d appreciate your experience and perspectives on this. Thanks.
---
### Author:  [@Jack\_Maddox](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jack_Maddox)
#### Post date: [March 21, 2019, 1:49pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/2 "2019-03-21T13:49:57Z")
I think the height of the sprit sail was to reduce the chance of being bonked in the head by the boom.
I lowered my sprit sail as I mostly use it with out a boom. If I use a boom it is a sprit boom and attached to the mast with a snotter (I just love the sound of that).
I also use a barber hauler when sailing boom less.
The link below will take you to a picture of my setup.
[ttps://photos.app.goo.gl/utsh4ke8m9Px66Sn6](https://photos.app.goo.gl/utsh4ke8m9Px66Sn6)
---
### Author:  [@Steven\_Ballantyne](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steven_Ballantyne)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2019, 12:40am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/3 "2019-03-22T00:40:13Z")
Jackie, looks nice with the sprit boom. Can you tell me why you decided on that instead of the conventional boom? And, is your sail the stock sail that came with the CLC kit? It looks larger somehow. Could that be because you lowered it?
Best wishes,
Steve
---
### Author:  [@Steven\_Ballantyne](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steven_Ballantyne)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2019, 12:41am UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/4 "2019-03-22T00:41:54Z")
Jackie, I just looked at your photo again. That can't be the stock sail. It's larger with a higher peak, and you have reef points as well. Looks good. Steve
---
### Author:  [@Jack\_Maddox](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Jack_Maddox)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2019, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/5 "2019-03-22T13:21:03Z")
Yes my sail is a bit larger than the stock sail. I did a lot of research on sprit sails and tried a more traditional approach. I purchased a sail kit from Sailright that was made to my special requirements. Then I roped the working edge, added traditional cringles etc. Used my wife's sewing machine and the dinning room table to sew it together.
There is a good article in one of the older Woodwn Boat Magazines on Sprit sails and how to use them. Issue No. 89, page 30
The book "The Working Guide To Traditional Small-Boat Sails" by David Nichols, has good information that might be helpful.
Below is a link to my Skerry build. You will find a few pictures of the sail as it was assemdled as well as lots of construction pictures. My boat is for sale by the way
[https://goo.gl/photos/Tnj5DKaWcUv19ZCr6](https://goo.gl/photos/Tnj5DKaWcUv19ZCr6)
---
### Author:  [@Steven\_Ballantyne](https://forum.clcboats.com/u/Steven_Ballantyne)
#### Post date: [March 22, 2019, 10:50pm UTC](https://forum.clcboats.com/t/skerry-spritsail-height-above-boat/46836/6 "2019-03-22T22:50:54Z")
Jackie, beautiful boat. Where are you located? If you'd like to email me, I'm at stevie44@me.com
Thanks.