Bermudian rig is the cutter rig, which has two foresails, one behind the other. The second one can be used as a storm sail when partly reefed.

Traditionally, the mainsail of a Bermudian rig is reefed by tying down a section of the sail to the boom – there are usually two sets of reefing points, which is not really enough. The result is that you are often sailing with too much or too little sail.

One solution is to use a roller-reefing system, the sail being rolled around a bar either just behind the mast or in the boom. The in-mast reefing is more popular because for the on-boom system to work properly, the boom must be at an exact right-angle with the mast.

Unfortunately, these systems are prone to failure – usually something jams up – whereas the foresail roller reefing systems are more reliable. For this reason they are not recommended for long-distance cruising. Racing boats do not usually have these systems as they prefer to change the foresail to the correct size for the wind, and to have a more reliable mainsail reefing system.

Many long distance cruisers prefer junk rigs owing to their ease of reefing with many reefing points, simplicity and reliability. Modern junk rigs also sail very well.

The gaff rig is still used on some boats, and provides plenty of drive downwind. To windward, the performance is not as good as with a Bermudian rig because the mainsail twists off the wind, reducing drive. The better windward performance is why the Bermudian rig is used so widely.

John Hartley has been sailing for over 20 years, and has owned three sailboats – one small one and two cruising yachts, and gives helpful information about sailboats and yachts at http://www.sailboats-yachts.com. He is the joint author of “The Leisurely Route to the Med”, and has written over a dozen other books.