BALANCED RIG™
"IT'S ALL IN THE BALANCE"
Free Standing, Rotating, Self Tacking, Balanced Rig
description of the balanced rig™
The BALANCED RIG™ is a freestanding, rotating mast system with a self-tacking, balanced sail frame controlled by a single mainsheet. This simple, self-contained design reduces the need for additional deck hardware and lowers the load on the mainsheet for easier handling.
With its lower center of effort, the rig uses shorter masts and less ballast, resulting in a lower profile and reduced heeling. End plates at the top and bottom of the sail improve efficiency by directing airflow over the most powerful part of the sail, increasing both lift and performance.
The rig’s twin A-frame structure, held in compression by turnbuckles and rigging wire, provides strong mechanical control and effortless self-tacking. Despite its advantages, it remains cost-effective, using simple soft sails instead of expensive rigid systems.
Versatile in design, the BALANCED RIG™ can be tailored to various sail shapes—from tapered to trapezoidal, rectangular, or square—making it ideal for both cruising and performance sailors.
With its lower center of effort, the rig uses shorter masts and less ballast, resulting in a lower profile and reduced heeling. End plates at the top and bottom of the sail improve efficiency by directing airflow over the most powerful part of the sail, increasing both lift and performance.
The rig’s twin A-frame structure, held in compression by turnbuckles and rigging wire, provides strong mechanical control and effortless self-tacking. Despite its advantages, it remains cost-effective, using simple soft sails instead of expensive rigid systems.
Versatile in design, the BALANCED RIG™ can be tailored to various sail shapes—from tapered to trapezoidal, rectangular, or square—making it ideal for both cruising and performance sailors.
Balanced Rig Features & Advantages
The BALANCED RIG™ is a step forward in the evolution of sail power.
Under our licensing agreement, we work with the best companies to build it for our customers.
The BALANCED RIG tm has the following features and advantages:
About THE INVENTOR
Captain Peter Estrup: Innovator Behind the Balanced Rig™
Peter V. Estrup was an adventurer, sailor, engineer and a native Floridian, who liked to find simple solutions to complex provlems.
In the 1970's, Pete was fed up with the crazieness, and the distruction of Florida's natural beauty in his position as Vice President and Supervisor of one of the West Coast's largest development companies.
He made the decision to fish, sail and think. Pete put together a CSY 44 sailboat with an icehold in the salon and a wheelhouse over the cockpit and rigged it out with bandits and a longline for a commercial fishing venture.
His innovations and success drew the attention of the CSY Company, who collaborated with him to create a production version of his sailing commercial fishing boat. The result was the “Bottom Line 44,” a series of sailing fishing vessels still in operation today.
Pete fished his boat, the Odessey, for years, always grumbling about the complexities of the Bermuda Rig. He always stated that he was thinking about something better-simple but powerful.
During Pete's many solitary days offshore, he played with ideas for a simple, balanced rig. He deleted the stansions and made a free standing, rotating mast and windframe with end plates, which channel the wind over the powering part of the sail. He did this by incorporating a light boom and end plate at the top of the rig, thus creating a self tacking, self tending, balanced rig with a lower center of effort. The BALANCED RIG™ has the same or more power as a conventional Marconi Rig with its high aspect ratio.
Pete and his partner, Joan Bergstrom , who was his test sailor and co-investor, tested many different configurations of his new BALANCED RIG™ designs. They tested them extensively in the waters of Longboat Pass off of Longboat Key, FL.
In 1986, Pete and Joan attended a sailboat safety conference in New London, Connecticut, where they met sailing theorist Tony Marchaj, author of "AeroHydrodynamics of Sailing". Upon seeing photos of the Balanced Rig under sail, Marchaj remarked, “It’s good to see a Viking has finally reinvented an efficient square sail.” Encouraged by the positive feedback from experts, they pursued and were granted a U.S. Patent for the Balanced Rig™ in 1990.
Pete continued to innovate and enjoy life—cruising the Western Caribbean aboard his sailboat Odyssey, building homes of his own design, and spending time with his daughter, Lorna Yankee, and his grandchildren. In 1991, at the age of 49, Captain Peter Estrup passed away suddenly from a heart attack. After Pete's passing, Joan Bergstrom and her brother Tom Mayers spent several years refining and promoting the BALANCED RIG™.™ . Tom Mayers, under a separate patent #US 9,994.287 b1 , developed a break down format of the BALANCED RIG™, to make it more transportable and strengthen the mast step for the BALANCED RIG™.
In today’s world of advanced racing technology, there has never been a better time for the cruising and racing community to embrace the Balanced Rig™. Its simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness offer a modern solution to traditional sailing challenges. The Balanced Rig™ stands as a lasting testament to Captain Peter Estrup’s ingenuity—and an opportunity for sailors to experience easier, safer, and more enjoyable sailing. Discover the future of sailing with the Balanced Rig™ today.
Pete and his partner, Joan Bergstrom , who was his test sailor and co-investor, tested many different configurations of his new BALANCED RIG™ designs. They tested them extensively in the waters of Longboat Pass off of Longboat Key, FL.
In 1986, Pete and Joan attended a sailboat safety conference in New London, Connecticut, where they met sailing theorist Tony Marchaj, author of "AeroHydrodynamics of Sailing". Upon seeing photos of the Balanced Rig under sail, Marchaj remarked, “It’s good to see a Viking has finally reinvented an efficient square sail.” Encouraged by the positive feedback from experts, they pursued and were granted a U.S. Patent for the Balanced Rig™ in 1990.
Pete continued to innovate and enjoy life—cruising the Western Caribbean aboard his sailboat Odyssey, building homes of his own design, and spending time with his daughter, Lorna Yankee, and his grandchildren. In 1991, at the age of 49, Captain Peter Estrup passed away suddenly from a heart attack. After Pete's passing, Joan Bergstrom and her brother Tom Mayers spent several years refining and promoting the BALANCED RIG™.™ . Tom Mayers, under a separate patent #US 9,994.287 b1 , developed a break down format of the BALANCED RIG™, to make it more transportable and strengthen the mast step for the BALANCED RIG™.
In today’s world of advanced racing technology, there has never been a better time for the cruising and racing community to embrace the Balanced Rig™. Its simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness offer a modern solution to traditional sailing challenges. The Balanced Rig™ stands as a lasting testament to Captain Peter Estrup’s ingenuity—and an opportunity for sailors to experience easier, safer, and more enjoyable sailing. Discover the future of sailing with the Balanced Rig™ today.
BALANCED RIG™ ADVANTAGES
• Free-Standing, Rotating Rig
• Self-Tacking, Self-Tending
• 50% Less Boom Load due to jib balancing the pressures on the main sail
• End Plates Create more Sail Power & Control due to guiding the wind over the powering parts of the sail
• 100% Roller Furling or Hanks & Slides may be Used • Simplified Boat Construction Such As Chainplates, Headstay, & Backstay Attachment Points Not Needed
Who We Serve
We seek sailing enthusiasts living in coastal communities worldwide looking for a simple and more compact sail design.
Connect with Us
Contact us today to learn more about the self-tracking BALANCED RIG™ design.