Sensible Simplicity pretty much nails it, a book worth reading, and Lectronic Latitude talks outrage...
Here's a design by the late Phil Bolger...
It sports a simple rig but simple in a good way.
Simple means it's inexpensive with a free standing mast. Of course, a free standing mast means no need for standing rigging which is both expensive and prone to failure. The balance lug as shown does not require any expensive gear (spelled no winches/tracks/cars/reefing systems).
Better yet, it's a powerful rig... Truth is, I doubt you'd be able to find more HP per dollar invested in any other rig. Its more powerful than the junk rig and has most of it's advantages and none of the craziness in the running rigging department...
Which is not to say you can't improve on a good thing, but more about that tomorrow.
Listening to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
So it goes...
