I have a Hunter356 with a furling main, to improve performance I'm thinking about changing the sail to a Doyle Zenith or a Doyle swing batten sail. Anybody have any experiance with either of these sails. Thanks
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doyle swingbatten for 356
Ron, we've got a doyle swingbatten on our 356 and it's great!look in the archives, I posted a picture of the old sail on the new sail-it adds about 30% more sail area. performance is greatly improved, 3/4-1kt more speed in moderate winds and vastly better shape than the stock bedsheet. the only thing you have to do is make sure they build the sail with the battens on the port side so they roll up inside the sail (the sail rolls counterclockwise).
Ron, we've got a doyle swingbatten on our 356 and it's great!look in the archives, I posted a picture of the old sail on the new sail-it adds about 30% more sail area. performance is greatly improved, 3/4-1kt more speed in moderate winds and vastly better shape than the stock bedsheet. the only thing you have to do is make sure they build the sail with the battens on the port side so they roll up inside the sail (the sail rolls counterclockwise).
Zenith
I also was unhappy with the performace of the Hunter supplied UK main. Based on Chuck's and other's reports, I went to the Doyle Sail Loft in City Island, NY and inquired about the swing batten. The folks there told me that the swing batten has been replaced with the Zenith, true or not I do not know but I was not thrilled with the mechanics of the swing batten anyway. After a little thought I decided to order the Zenith main. It has just been delivered to my home, was supposed to be delivered to the loft. The verticle battens are interesting as they go from the foot of the sail to the luff which makes them from about 5 to 20 feet long and about a 1/2 inch thick. Doyle insists that they will furl without any problems - we will see. When I called the loft regarding the delivery mistake they apologized for the mistake but also suggested that I take the battens out of the box they came so they would straighten (they were bent into a 48 inch circle). Doyle will come to the boat when it is in the water in a few weeks and install the sail, that is if I can figure out how to get the battens to the boat. It should also be interesting how to install the battens. Anyway, if all works as advertised and as it appears, I expect to get much better performance as I will now have that large roach and the sail area will increase by about 30% and the battens to improve and hold the shape. I also purchased a UPS (Ulitimate performance Sail?) for the light air days. It is something I guess between a flasher and a spinaker. It comes on a roller furling and you remove the sail and furling gear in one piece when not in use. I am looking forward to both new sails and hopefully have made a good choice. I'll make another posting when they are installed and we get a chance to try them out. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions, I am listed in the directory. Bob Keller sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct.
I also was unhappy with the performace of the Hunter supplied UK main. Based on Chuck's and other's reports, I went to the Doyle Sail Loft in City Island, NY and inquired about the swing batten. The folks there told me that the swing batten has been replaced with the Zenith, true or not I do not know but I was not thrilled with the mechanics of the swing batten anyway. After a little thought I decided to order the Zenith main. It has just been delivered to my home, was supposed to be delivered to the loft. The verticle battens are interesting as they go from the foot of the sail to the luff which makes them from about 5 to 20 feet long and about a 1/2 inch thick. Doyle insists that they will furl without any problems - we will see. When I called the loft regarding the delivery mistake they apologized for the mistake but also suggested that I take the battens out of the box they came so they would straighten (they were bent into a 48 inch circle). Doyle will come to the boat when it is in the water in a few weeks and install the sail, that is if I can figure out how to get the battens to the boat. It should also be interesting how to install the battens. Anyway, if all works as advertised and as it appears, I expect to get much better performance as I will now have that large roach and the sail area will increase by about 30% and the battens to improve and hold the shape. I also purchased a UPS (Ulitimate performance Sail?) for the light air days. It is something I guess between a flasher and a spinaker. It comes on a roller furling and you remove the sail and furling gear in one piece when not in use. I am looking forward to both new sails and hopefully have made a good choice. I'll make another posting when they are installed and we get a chance to try them out. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions, I am listed in the directory. Bob Keller sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct.
Hood Vertical Batten Main
Last year I purchased a Vertical Batten Main from Hood Sails for my H460. I have 5 battens running full length from the boom to the leach in progressive lengths. The longest being about 45 feet. The design adds back the roach lost in the roller furling main. The standard furling main actually has a negative roach. The new sail has really powered up the boat and the battens have no trouble rolling into the mast. I went with Hood because its a high quality sail and they make alot of these sails for the European market in conjunction with Seldon masts. I'm very pleased with my choice but expensive.
Last year I purchased a Vertical Batten Main from Hood Sails for my H460. I have 5 battens running full length from the boom to the leach in progressive lengths. The longest being about 45 feet. The design adds back the roach lost in the roller furling main. The standard furling main actually has a negative roach. The new sail has really powered up the boat and the battens have no trouble rolling into the mast. I went with Hood because its a high quality sail and they make alot of these sails for the European market in conjunction with Seldon masts. I'm very pleased with my choice but expensive.
356 sails
Bob, seems to be a local preference issue, my local Doyle loft (the original!) seems to prefer the swingbatten to the zenith for performance, go figure! I also have the UPS and it's great! much broader range in wind angles and wind stengths than a chute, and a real boost in performance when reaching. I choose the ATN sock over the furler because Doyle did not recommend leaving the furler rigged on the bow when you weren't actually flying the sail. With the sock, my ups and my chute are rigged the same
Bob, seems to be a local preference issue, my local Doyle loft (the original!) seems to prefer the swingbatten to the zenith for performance, go figure! I also have the UPS and it's great! much broader range in wind angles and wind stengths than a chute, and a real boost in performance when reaching. I choose the ATN sock over the furler because Doyle did not recommend leaving the furler rigged on the bow when you weren't actually flying the sail. With the sock, my ups and my chute are rigged the same
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