GB2534963A

GB2534963A - Improvements in sailing boats

Info

Publication number: GB2534963A
Application number: GB1517254.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shute Malcolm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-30
Filing date: 2015-09-30
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-09-30
Also published as: GB2534963B; GB201417297D0; FR3040365B1; GB2530759A; GB201517254D0; FR3040365A1

Abstract

A sailing boat 1 comprises a hull 1a, a mast 2, 3 and boom 20 for supporting a main sail 21, the mast comprising two elements, a lower mast element 3 that is attached to the hull and an upper mast element 2 that is pivotally attached to the lower mast element. The upper and lower mast elements are each provided with a track for engagement therewith by sliders of the main sail. The track 23 of the upper mast element is positioned with respect to the track 23a, 23b of the lower mast element so that upon lowering of the main sail, a slider that is engaged with the track of the upper mast section may transfer its engagement to the track of the lower mast section. The lower mast section is of such a height that when the main sail is fully lowered, all the sliders thereof are engaged with the track of the lower mast section.

Description

Improvements in Sailing Boats

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to sailing boats, and in particular to sailing boats having masts.

Background of the Invention

Many types of sailing boat, that is boats having sails, need to be able to pass under low structures. A sailing boat may need to pass under a bridge whilst navigating a stretch of water, such as a river or a canal. A sailing boat may need to be transported by road and during such transportation it may be necessary for the sailing boat to pass under bridges or structures, at fuel stations for example.

It is therefore common to provide a folding mast for the mainsail.

The raising or lowering of the mast can be a complicated manoeuvre. Some boats are equipped for this purpose with a pivot at the base of the mast. Complications arise when lowering the mast because it is necessary to accommodate numerous items attached to the mast including the boom, topping lift, forestay, backstay and shrouds.

The mast must be supported during the raising or lowering manoeuvre so as to control the trajectory of the mast and carry the weight of the mast and its associated rigging. If the boom is not removed or disconnected from the mast, it must also be supported and its movement controlled. If movement of either the boom or the mast are uncontrolled, the centre of gravity of the mast assembly may move laterally with respect to the centre-line of the boat and cause a rocking movement thereby de-stabilising the entire boat.

When the mast is upright, the various cables and ropes such as the topping lift, forestay, back stay and shrouds, which are tight are in predetermined and appropriate positions. As the mast is lowered, these elements become loose and must be managed in order to avoid them presenting hazards to people on the boat, becoming entangled amongst themselves or other appendages of the boat.

In the case of road transportation of a boat, it may be necessary to disconnect the mast from its base and advance the mast along the longitudinal axis of the boat in order to minimise the extent to which the mast overhangs the vehicle or trailer on which it is mounted. Road transportation legislation in several countries limits the maximum size of vehicles and trailers. If special requirements such as the provision of escort vehicles, are to be avoided, widths are typically limited to between 2.44 and 2.55 metres and to a trailed length of about 12 metres, depending on jurisdiction. Hence, these limitations affect the overall geometry of a boat which may be towed without falling into the special transport requirements category.

DE29912423U1 describes a sailing boat where the mast which comprises a first part that is relatively short and connected to the boat's hull and a second part that is longer than the first part and pivotally attached thereto. A forestay frame is pivotally attached to the hull. When the second part of the mast is upright, the forestay lies perpendicular thereto, in a substantially horizontal plane. Second part of the mast can be lowered so that it lies substantially horizontal in order to reduce the height of the boat to pass under bridges for example. During the lowering process, the forestay frame remains substantially perpendicular to the second part of the mast in order to support the mast through the forestay. When the second part of the mast is fully lowered the forestay frame is allowed to pivot forward through a small angle, reducing the transport height a little.

US 4,655,154 also describes a sailing boat having a mast comprising a first and second part. In this patent, the first part of the mast provides a cradle in which the second part is supported when upright, and on which the second part is supported when it is lowered to a horizontal position. The cradle also allows the mast to slide forward when in the lowered position.

Whist the afore-mentioned patent documents do describe a mast comprising two parts, a larger one of which may be lowered such that it occupies a substantially horizontal orientation, the sail presents a problem when the mast is lowered if the sail is not removed from the mast. Also, the elevated forestay frame of DE29912423U1 remains at a height that may prevent the passage of the boat under structures presenting low head room. Furthermore, the earlier patents do not address the problem of managing other rigging associated with the mast as the mast is lowered.

It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved sailing boat where the raising and lowering of the mast is more convenient and which provides for transportation of the boat on a vehicle within the parameters of the road transportation regulations.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided a sailing boat comprising a hull and a mast and boom for supporting a main sail, wherein the mast comprises two elements, a lower mast element that is attached to the hull and an upper mast element that is pivotally attached to the lower mast element, and wherein the upper and lower mast elements are each provided with at least one track for engagement therewith by sliders of the main sail, wherein the at least one track of the upper mast element is positioned with respect to the at least one track of the lower mast element so that upon lowering of the main sail, a slider that is engaged with the at least one track of the upper mast section may transfer its engagement to one of the at least one tracks of the lower mast section, and wherein the lower mast section is of such a height that when the main sail is fully lowered, all the sliders thereof are engaged with the or each track of the lower mast section.

Preferably, the pivotal attachment of the upper mast element to the lower mast element is provided by a pin member. The pin may be removable to allow the upper mast element to be disengaged from the lower mast element. For example, the pin may be removable from engagement with at least the upper mast element.

Advantageously, a locking member for locking the upper mast element in a raised configuration with respect to the lower mast element is provided.

The upper mast element may be provided with one track and the lower mast element may be provided with two tracks which are preferably substantially parallel; or the upper mast element may be provided with a single track and the lower mast element may be provided with a single track; or the upper and lower mast elements may each be provided with two substantially parallel tracks.

In one embodiment, a single track is provided on the upper mast element and on a first part of the lower mast element with two parallel tracks being provided on a lower part of the lower mast element.

Where the combination of a single track and two parallel tracks are provided one or more guide walls may be provided around the area where the single track and the two parallel tracks meet.

Adjacent ends of the tracks of the upper and lower mast elements may be configured to transfer of sail sliders between the upper and lower mast elements and vice versa. The adjacent ends of said tracks may be tapered.

The tracks may be formed in the mast, for example as a recess or elongate indent. The tracks may be formed on the mast in that the tracks may protrude from the mast. Such a protruding track may be formed integrally with the mast or may be a separate component fixed to the mast.

Adjacent sliders of the main sail may be arranged on the main sail in a staggered configuration. Alternatively, the sliders may be handed, that is each slider is configured so that one slider moves to a first of the two tracks on the lower mast section, whilst the next slider is configured to move a second of the two tracks, and the next slider is configured to move that first of the two tracks and so on.

The boom may be attached to the lower mast element or to part of the boat proximate the lower mast element.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a forestay frame, wherein the forestay frame comprises a primary frame and a secondary frame, a first end of the primary frame pivotally attached to the boat and the secondary frame pivotally attached to a second end of the primary frame, and wherein at least a part of the secondary frame extends beyond the second end of the primary frame.

Preferably, at least one stop is attached to the primary or secondary frame and configured to limit the extent of pivoting of the secondary frame with respect to the primary frame.

The forestay may comprise a first part and a second part, the first part attachable to a winder mounted on the boat and to the secondary frame, and the second part attachable to the upper mast element and the secondary frame.

The primary frame and the secondary frame may each comprise at least one guide, which may be in the form of a roller or pulley, the first part of the forestay extending from the winder to and around a guide which may be in the form of a roller or pulley of the secondary frame, to and around a guide which may be in the form of a roller or pulley of the primary frame and to an attachment point on the secondary frame.

The secondary frame may mount a guide which may be in the form of a roller or pulley at the end of the secondary frame distal from the pivotal attachment of the secondary frame to the primary frame.

Advantageously, the primary frame mounts a guide which may be in the form of a roller or pulley at the end of the primary frame distal from the pivotal attachment of the primary frame to the hull of the boat.

The forestay frame may comprise first and second brackets each attached to the secondary frame and each providing an attachment for the first and second parts of the forestay respectively.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a sailing boat comprising a shroud attachment assembly attached to each side of the hull, each shroud attachment assembly comprising a bracket for attachment to the hull and two or more substantially rigid and elongate shroud elements each attached at one end to the bracket and at the other to a shroud.

Preferably, each bracket includes at least two shroud element attachment points for the pivotal attachment of the shroud elements to the bracket.

The at least two attachment points may be spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the boat, and/or the lateral direction of the boat, and/or the vertical direction of the boat.

The bracket may comprise at least one stop configured to limit the pivotal movement of the shroud elements relative to the bracket.

The bracket may further comprise a shroud element seat mounted on the or each stop, and the seat may be resilient.

Preferably, the shroud elements extend above the plane of the deck of the boat by a substantially similar distance to the lower mast element.

The shroud elements may be rods or tubes or any other suitable format of element that is both elongate and substantially rigid.

The first and/or second and/or third aspects of the invention may be comprised in a single boat.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the Drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and are by way of

example:

Figure 1 is a side view of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast upright; Figure 2 is a side view of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast lowered; Figure 3 is a side view of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast lowered and a part of the forestay frame lowered; Figure 4 is a side view of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast lowered and moved forward with respect to the boat's hull; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast lowered; Figure 5a is a partially exploded view showing the attachment of the upper and lower mast elements; Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a sailing boat according to the invention with the mast lowered and a part of the forestay frame lowered; Figure 7 is a schematic representation of the forestay frame; Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a part of the forestay frame; Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a shroud attachment assembly; Figure 10a is a plan view of the shroud attachment assembly illustrated in Figure 9; Figure 10b is a side view of the shroud attachment assembly illustrated in Figure 9; Figure 10c is an end view of a shroud tube and cable; Figure 11 is a detailed schematic representation of the mast and shroud attachment assemblies with the mast in raised; and Figure 12 is a detailed schematic representation of the mast and shroud attachment assemblies with the mast lowered.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Referring now to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown a sailing boat 1 having a mast which comprises two parts, an upper mast element 2 and a lower mast element 3, joined together by a pivot 2a, which provides for the upper mast element 2 to move between the raised configuration shown in Figure 1 and lowered configurations shown in Figures 2 to 6.

The lower mast element 3 is connected to the hull 1a of the boat in a conventional manner, which will be familiar to one skilled in the art and is therefore not described in detail.

The boat includes a support at the stern of the boat configured to support the upper mast element 2 in its lowered configuration. In the illustrated embodiments, this support is in the form of a rear support frame 6.

The main sail 21 is attached to the mast (both upper and lower elements thereof) and the boom 20, which may itself be attached to the lower mast element 3 or the cabin roof 22.

Referring also now to Figures 11 and 12, the upper and lower mast elements on their trailing edges are each provided with a sail luff slider track 23, 23a, 23b. The main sail is provided with rollers that roll up and down the tracks 23, 23a and 23b (sliders may be used instead of rollers, the sliders sliding in or on the tracks). In the illustrated embodiment the upper mast element 2 is provided with a single track 23. The single track 23 continues along a first part of the lower mast element 3, but then splits into two spaced apart and parallel tracks 23a, 23b. As the main sail is lowered, the rollers or sliders on the sail slide on the track 23 from the upper mast element 2 on to the lower mast element 3. The runners on the upper part of the sail become situated on the single track 23 of the lower mast element 3. The remaining runners arrange themselves on the two parallel tracks 23a, 23b. This is achieved by first arranging the rollers or sliders on the sail in a staggered configuration, one roller or slider to one side of the sail, the next to the other side of the sail and so on. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to being staggered, the rollers or sliders may be handed, with adjacent rollers or sliders being handed differently, i.e. one slider or roller is left handed with the next being right handed, the next left handed and so on. A roller or slider 25 coming off the end 23c of the part of the track 23 on the lower mast element 3 moves to the side of the sail on which it is mounted or handed and onto the luff track 23a, 23b with which it is aligned. Each track 23a, 23b narrows at its upper end to facilitate alignment of rollers or sliders 25 therewith. Also, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, guide walls 23d may be provided around the region where the end 23c of track 23 is adjacent the ends of the tracks 23a, 23b. These walls help to transfer sliders 25 from the track 23 to a respective one of the tracks 23a, 23b.

The lower mast element 3 is of sufficient height to accommodate all the lull track sliders 25 of the main sail 21.

As can be seen from Figure 2, there is no need to remove the boom 20 in order to lower the main sail 21. The boom 20 may be attached to the lower part of the lower mast element 3, as shown in the drawings, or alternatively, the boom may be attached to the roof of the boat's cabin.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures -I-I and 12 the upper mast element 2 is attached to the lower mast element 3 by a pivot attachment 2a, which is in the form of a pin. The lower mast element 3 includes a bifurcated portion 3a and a hole 3b extends through each bifurcation. When the upper mast element 2 is upright the holes 3b and hole 2b in the lower part of the upper mast element 2 align. A pin is passed through the aligned holes to secure the upper mast element in its upright configuration. Removing the pin allows the upper mast element 2 to be lowered.

The pivot 2a in the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 differs from that shown in Figure 11 and 12.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures -I to 6 the pivot 2a is formed in the opposing ends of the upper and lower mast elements 2, 3. Two pairs of aligned holes 2c are formed in the end of the upper mast element 2 and corresponding pairs of aligned holes 3c are formed in the end of the lower mast element 3. The pairs of holes 2c, 3c are aligned and fasteners 2d in the form of pins or screws are passed therethrough. With all the pairs of holes aligned and the pins inserted, the upper mast element is held upright. With the pins of one set of aligned holes 2c, 3c removed, the upper mast element 2 may pivot about the other set of pins 2d, and the upper mast element 2 can be lowered. In this embodiment the luff track is indicated by the dashed line 23.

By providing a luff track or tracks on the lower mast element, and configuring the lower mast element such that it is of sufficient height that all the sliders 25 of the main sail 21 can be accommodated on the lower mast element, the main sail 21 can be lowered but can remain attached to the boom 20 and the mast. With all the sliders 25 of the main sail on the luff track or tracks of the lower mast element 3 (as shown in Figure 12) the main sail 21 does not impede movement of the upper mast element 2 from the position shown in Figures 2 and 3 to that shown in Figure 4, which is a desirable position for transportation of the boat 1 by road.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the forestay frame in greater detail. The forestay frame comprises a primary frame 4 and a secondary frame 5. Together they from an A-frame that is pivotally attached to the hull of the boat by means of brackets 4a, one to each side of the boat. Each bracket 4a is attached to one end of the primary frame 4 by a fastener, such as a pin 4b, which permits pivoting of the primary frame 4 relative to the brackets 4a and hence the hull of the boat.

A secondary frame 5 is attached to the primary frame 4. In the illustrated embodiments the aforementioned attachment is distal from the ends of the primary frame 4 that are attached to brackets 4a. The secondary frame 5 comprises two frame legs 5a which are joined together at one end, and at the other mounted on the primary frame 4 by connectors 5b, which permit pivoting of the secondary frame 5 relative to the primary frame 4. The primary frame 4 mounts stops 4c, each arranged adjacent one of the connectors 5b. As can be seen in the arrangement shown in Figure 7, the legs 5a of the frame 5 abut against the stops 4c, which prevents further rotation of the secondary frame 5 relative to the first frame 4.

The secondary frame 5 mounts first and second attachment elements 5c. In the illustrated embodiment the first and second attachment elements 5c are mounted on the secondary frame 5 where the two frame legs join, one to each side of the frame and on a common axis. The first and second attachment elements 5c in fact form part of the forestay, which in the boat of this invention is in two parts, a part 10a extending from the bow of the boat where it passes through a guide 11 (which may be a pulley for example) to the first attachment element 5c and a part 10b extending from the second attachment element 5c to an attachment towards the top of the upper mast section 3.

Each of the primary and secondary forestay frames are provided with a pulley 4d, 5d. The pulley 5d is mounted on a pin Se which is mounted in the legs 5a of the secondary frame 5, whereas the pulley 4d is mounted in a bracket 4e on a shaft 4f. As can be seen from Figure 8, the part 10a of the forestay extends from the bow of the boat 1 around the pulley 5d of the secondary frame 5, back towards and around the pulley 4d of the primary frame 4 and to the attachment element 5c which is on the primary frame side of the secondary frame 5.

When the forestay is tight with the upper mast element 3 upright, the legs 5a of the secondary frame are pulled into abutment with the primary frame 4, which is itself held down substantially parallel with the hull of the boat as shown in Figure 1.

When it is desired to lower the upper mast element 3 the forestay part 10a is paid out from a winch that is attached to the boat's hull. The force applied to the upper mast element 3 is reduced resulting in the upper mast section 3 pivoting towards the stern of the boat. As it does so, the forestay frame rises, with the primary and secondary frames 4, 5 remaining in abutment as shown in Figures 2, 5 and 8 because the tension in the forestay parts 10a, 10b remains substantially equal even when the upper mast section 3 rests upon rear support frame 6.

When the forestay part 10a is paid out further, the tension in that part is reduced, which allows the primary frame 4 to rotate further towards the bow of the boat 1. The fixed length of the forestay part 10b limits the extent to which the secondary frame 5 may rotate towards the bow. The result is relative rotation between the primary frame 4 and the secondary frame 5, with the forestay frame coming to the position shown Figure 3. As can be seen the height of the part of the forestay frame above the hull is significantly less in Figure 3 than in Figure 4.

The boat may be configured as shown in Figure 3 to pass under a bridge for example whilst navigating a river or canal.

If it is necessary to move the boat via a road, on a trailer towed by a car for example, it may be necessary to reduce the overall length of the boat, and in particular to reduce the extent to which the upper mast element overhangs the rear support frame 6. This may be achieved by removing the pin or pins attaching the upper mast element 3 to the lower mast element 2 and then sliding the upper mast element towards the bow of the boat. When this is done the tension in the forestay part 10b falls to substantially zero and the forestay frame takes up a position where it is substantially parallel with the boat's deck. The forestay frame may be held in this position by the tension in the forestay part 10a, or by separate fasteners.

To raise the upper mast element 3 into the upright position the process described above is reversed.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the arrangement of the shrouds. This is best illustrated in Figures 1, 5, 6, 9 and 10a to 10c. A boat is normally provided with shrouds in the form of cables. When the mast is lowered the shroud cables become slack and can present a hazard to individuals on the boat. The invention overcomes this problem by forming the part of the shroud proximate the deck of the boat as a stiff element, for example as a rod or a tube 7.

As can be seen from the aforementioned figures, shroud tubes 7 are used in pairs. Figures 9, 10a and 10b illustrate a shroud tube assembly 27 which comprises a bracket 28 which is attachable to one side of the hull of boat 1. The bracket 28 includes two slots 28a, 28b each for receiving an end 7a of one of the shroud tubes 7, the end 7a being in the form of a plate that is configured to fit in the slot 28a, 28b. As can be seen from Figure 10a the bracket 27 is configured so that one of the shroud tubes 7 sits to one side of the other. Also, Figure 10b shows that the shroud tube 7 sitting in slot 28a is slightly lower than the shroud tube 7 sitting in slot 28b. The shroud tubes 7 are pivotally attached to the bracket 28 by means of pins 31 extending through the end 7a of shroud tube 7 and the parts of the bracket 28 to each side of the slots 28a, 28b.

The bracket 28 also includes two plates 29, one for each tube 7. These plates 29 limit pivoting of the shroud tubes 7 towards the stern of the boat. The front side of each plate 29 is provided with an element 30 whose shape corresponds to the shape of the tube 7. Preferably, the element 30 is resilient, for example rubber, plastic or foam.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the whole shroud assembly 27 is attached to hull of the boat at an angle that is a few degrees forward of an axis perpendicular to the boat's deck. It is advantageous that the bow most plate 29 lies at an angle that is a few degrees forward of an axis that is parallel to the stern most plate 29. By so arranging the assembly 27 and the plates 29 within the assembly the shroud cables 8, 8' may take up the position shown in Figure 1 most easily.

When the upper mast element 3 is lowered to the configuration shown in Figures 2 to 6 the shroud tubes 7 support the shroud cables 8, 8' off the deck, making movement of personnel around the boat less hazardous. Also, any subsequent raising of the upper mast element 3 is simpler because the presence of the shroud tubes reduces the possibility of the shroud cables 8, 8' becoming entangled with other parts of the boat's rigging.

The boat of the present invention has a much simpler system for raising and lowering the upper mast element than boats of the prior art. The upper mast element may be lowered without removal of the sail. When the upper mast element is lowered, the sail is stowed neatly with all the sail's sliders located on the lower mast element. With the upper mast section lowered, the whole boat is placed in a configuration that makes for convenient transportation, with the forestay frame lower than the rear support frame and the upper mast section moved forward on the boat so as to reduce the overall length of the towing vehicle, trailer and boat combination.

Claims

Claims 1. A sailing boat comprising a hull, a mast and boom for supporting a main sail, wherein the mast comprises two elements, a lower mast element that is attached to the hull and an upper mast element that is pivotally attached to the lower mast element, and wherein the upper and lower mast elements are each provided with at least one track for engagement therewith by sliders of the main sail, wherein the at least one track of the upper mast element is positioned with respect to the at least one track of the lower mast element so that upon lowering of the main sail, a slider that is engaged with the at least one track of the upper mast section may transfer its engagement to one of the at least one tracks of the lower mast section, and wherein the lower mast section is of such a height that when the main sail is fully lowered, all the sliders thereof are engaged with the or each track of the lower mast section.
2. A sailing boat according to Claim 1, wherein the pivotal attachment of the upper mast element to the lower mast element is provided by a pin member.
3. A sailing boat according to Claim 2, wherein the pin is removable from engagement with at least the upper mast element.
4. A sailing boat according to any preceding claim, comprising a locking member for locking the upper mast element in a raised configuration with respect to the lower mast element.
5. A sailing boat according to any preceding claim, wherein: the upper mast element is provided with one track and the lower mast element is provided with two substantially parallel tracks; or the upper mast section is provided with a single track and the lower mast section is provided with a single track; or the upper and lower mast sections are each provided with two substantially parallel tracks.
6. A sailing boat according to Claim 5, wherein the adjacent ends of the tracks of the upper and lower mast elements are configured to transfer of sail sliders between the upper and lower mast elements and vice versa.
7. A sailing boat according to Claim 6, wherein the adjacent ends of said tracks are tapered.
8. A sailing boat according to any preceding claim, wherein the adjacent sliders of the main sail are arranged on the main sail in a staggered configuration or adjacent sliders are handed alternately.
9. A sailing boat according to any preceding claim, further comprising forestay frame and a forestay, and wherein the forestay frame comprises a primary frame and a secondary frame, a first end of the primary frame pivotally attached to the boat and the secondary frame pivotally attached to a second end of the primary frame, and wherein at least a part of the secondary frame extends beyond the second end of the primary frame.
10. A sailing boat according to Claim 9, further comprising at least one stop attached to the primary or secondary frame and configured to limit the extent of pivoting of the secondary frame with respect to the primary frame.
11. A sailing boat according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the forestay comprises a first part and a second part, the first part attachable to a winder mounted on the boat and to the secondary frame, and the second pad attachable to the upper mast element and the secondary frame.
12. A sailing boat according to Claim 11, the primary frame and the secondary frame each comprising at least one roller or pulley, the first part of the forestay extending from the winder to and around a roller or pulley of the secondary frame, to and around a roller or pulley of the primary frame and to an attachment point on the secondary frame.
13. A sailing boat according to Claim 12, wherein the secondary frame mounts a roller or pulley at the end of the secondary frame distal from the pivotal attachment of the secondary frame to the primary frame.
14. A sailing boat according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the primary frame mounts a roller or pulley at the end of the primary frame distal from the pivotal attachment of the primary frame to the hull of the boat.
15. A sailing boat according to Claim 11 or 14, comprising a first and second brackets each attached to the secondary frame and each providing an attachment for the first and second pads of the forestay respectively.
16. A sailing boat according to any preceding claim, further comprising a shroud attachment assembly attached to each side of the hull, each shroud attachment assembly comprising a bracket for attachment to the hull and two or more substantially rigid shroud elements each attached at one end to the bracket and at the other to a shroud.
17. A sailing boat according to Claim 16, wherein each bracket includes at least two shroud element attachment points for the pivotal attachment of the shroud elements to the bracket.
18. A sailing boat according to Claim 17, wherein the at least two attachment points are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the boat, and/or the lateral direction of the boat, and/or the vertical direction of the boat.
19. A sailing boat according to any of Claims 16 to 18, the bracket comprising at least one stop configured to limit the pivotal movement of the shroud elements relative to the bracket.
20. A sailing boat according to Claim 19, further comprising a shroud element seat mounted on the or each stop.
21. A sailing boat according to Claim 20, wherein the seat is resilient.
22. A sailing boat according to any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the shroud elements extend above the plane of the deck of the boat by a substantially similar distance to the lower mast element.
23. A sailing boat substantially as shown in, and as described with reference to, the drawings.