A trim deck sailboat has two or more head sails set forward of the mast, with a common design containing two headsails. Mast positioning is irrelevant, with the only distinguishing feature being multi-head sails. A mower deck is considered more versatile and safer, with its resurgence in popularity among cruising and leisure boaters. However, it is not as fast as a sloop rig, making it unpopular with racing sailors.
A trim deck is a sailboat with a type of sail configuration in which two or more sails are set forward of the mast. These are known as the head sails. A common design for modern cutters contains two headsails, with the inner sail referred to as a hangsail and the outer sail either a jib or genoa. The support sail is set from the inside stay, and can be self supporting on its own boom, or ‘loose leg’. The jib is set from the headstay and attached to a bowsprit or the bow itself.
Traditionally, the mast on a cut-off deck was located more centrally than those on any other single-masted sailboat. This was to allow more room in the bow for multiple headsails. However, since the mid-20th century, mast positioning has become irrelevant, with the only distinguishing feature of modern trimming rigs being multi-head sails.
This redefinition of a traditional trimmer rig has led to a proliferation of the trimmer rig, which is basically a rig with a suspension sail arm and an additional forestay. However, not all sloops will support these modifications. Whether or not modification is possible is due to mast composition, hull strength, and other factors.
A mower deck is considered by many sailors to be a more versatile and safer sail setup. Its versatility has led to its resurgence in popularity with cruising and leisure boaters. If the tall sail is self-staying and can be controlled from the cockpit, short-haul wind becomes much easier than with a sloop rig, especially when running solo.
Of course, in light winds the extra sail area is of some benefit, but the boat is also easier to handle if the winds pick up suddenly. The tall sail will keep the dinghy in check while the other mainsail and the mainsail are reefed. With the mainsail fully reefed, a trim deck running on her suspension sail she is an ideal heavy weather craft. When running directly downwind, the additional sail also acts as a roll stabilizer, a feature not available with other sail configurations.
On the downside, when rigging with a large feather on a mower deck, the sail must fit through the narrow gap between the inside forestay and the headstay. This can be alleviated on some modern mowing equipment with a removable inner stay. Also, a mower rig is not considered as fast in most conditions as a sloop rig, which tends to make it unpopular with racing sailors.
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