What could complicate the simple design of a mainsail? Apparently, a lot. Traditional mainsails typically have a loose-foot or a bolt rope/shelf foot. Some have a cunningham to flatten the sail in a blow. Most have one or more slab reefing points to reduce sail area when need. Then along comes the furling crowd who've figured out how to make a mainsail furl up into the mast -- or the boom. No need for reef points as the whole sail can be reefed. And don't forget those four relatively small battens, which just slipped into pockets along the leech, have also been complicated as some of these designs use no battens, full length battens, or a combination of both. They may even be horizontal or vertical. Some are even adjustable. Some require special hardware on the sail. Are these advances worth it to you? What type of mainsail configuration do you have? Why did you choose it or did you just inherit it with the boat? What do you think its strengths and weakness are? Would you choose the same configuration the next time you buy a mainsail? Tell us about your thoughts on mainsail configurations then take the Quick Quiz on the homepage. (Discussion topic and quiz by Warren Milberg)
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I inherited my sails. the main came with
battens but I don't use them. The boat was set up for boom roller furling but that was abandoned before I purchased her. Just this year I added some sail track because with boom furling the slides must come off the track so the track was short. The sail has 1 set of reef points but I couldn't get the reef tack down where it was needed. There are many innovations that still need to pass the test of time and I am probably going to just wait and see how many question arise concerning them before I consider incorporating them on Bietzpadlin.
battens but I don't use them. The boat was set up for boom roller furling but that was abandoned before I purchased her. Just this year I added some sail track because with boom furling the slides must come off the track so the track was short. The sail has 1 set of reef points but I couldn't get the reef tack down where it was needed. There are many innovations that still need to pass the test of time and I am probably going to just wait and see how many question arise concerning them before I consider incorporating them on Bietzpadlin.
Full length Horizontal Battens
To my mind full-length battens give you three advantages - shape, even as the sail ages - shape, in light airs - easier stacking, flake as the main drops and just line the battens up along the boom to keep things tidy. I prefer lugs rather than a bolt rope - they encourage the water out the bottom of the main when its raining! Who needs bucket-loads of water sloshing around in the foot and spilling out, inevitably all over the helm and winch-hand, during a tack. Incidentally - any opinions on the merits of different placements for tell-tales on the main? I've always just had them on the leach (one per batten) but I've seen people with them all over the place, looking like decorative quilt tassles. Where & why?
To my mind full-length battens give you three advantages - shape, even as the sail ages - shape, in light airs - easier stacking, flake as the main drops and just line the battens up along the boom to keep things tidy. I prefer lugs rather than a bolt rope - they encourage the water out the bottom of the main when its raining! Who needs bucket-loads of water sloshing around in the foot and spilling out, inevitably all over the helm and winch-hand, during a tack. Incidentally - any opinions on the merits of different placements for tell-tales on the main? I've always just had them on the leach (one per batten) but I've seen people with them all over the place, looking like decorative quilt tassles. Where & why?
In-Boom Furling
We recently bought our boat and inherited the in-boom mainsail furling system. It has been a total pain in the yazoo. It is extremely difficult to raise and lower the sail. Despite our best efforts, it gets jammed very easily, especially on the descent, and we are constantly having to raise and refurl, re-raise and refurl, etc. It's exhausting. I'd love to just abandon it, but we are not quite ready to accept defeat (besides we are not quite sure what the work around plan would be).
We recently bought our boat and inherited the in-boom mainsail furling system. It has been a total pain in the yazoo. It is extremely difficult to raise and lower the sail. Despite our best efforts, it gets jammed very easily, especially on the descent, and we are constantly having to raise and refurl, re-raise and refurl, etc. It's exhausting. I'd love to just abandon it, but we are not quite ready to accept defeat (besides we are not quite sure what the work around plan would be).
Technology moves on
Today's sailmakers are always looking for a competitive edge - not just in racing, but also in selling to the cruiser or day-sailor. The latter continues to represent the huge bulk of sales today. Updating sails are the single most effective thing you can do to increase your boat's performance! Although I "inherited" updated sails with my O'day 30, the loose-footed configuration works well for me. Bill on STARGAZER
Today's sailmakers are always looking for a competitive edge - not just in racing, but also in selling to the cruiser or day-sailor. The latter continues to represent the huge bulk of sales today. Updating sails are the single most effective thing you can do to increase your boat's performance! Although I "inherited" updated sails with my O'day 30, the loose-footed configuration works well for me. Bill on STARGAZER
Marcia
A friend of mine had an in-boom furler and was completely happy with. Perhaps if you posted the brand name, someone with the same unit may be able to offer help.
A friend of mine had an in-boom furler and was completely happy with. Perhaps if you posted the brand name, someone with the same unit may be able to offer help.
When I bought
a new main from North Sails recently, I agonized over whether it should be loose or shelf-footed. The guy from North was great to deal with. In the end, he told me that he thought the only advantage of a loose foot was ease of installing the sail -- a task I do once a year and it's no big deal with a shelf footed sail. It may be easier to adjust the outhaul/draft with the loose foot, but again, as a non-racer how often do you do that? And if you really get bored on a light-wind day, it's easy enough to slack off the tension on the outhaul of a shelf-footed sail too. I bought the shelf footed sail because it is a design I've had for lots of years and am most familiar with. It was a good decision for me.
a new main from North Sails recently, I agonized over whether it should be loose or shelf-footed. The guy from North was great to deal with. In the end, he told me that he thought the only advantage of a loose foot was ease of installing the sail -- a task I do once a year and it's no big deal with a shelf footed sail. It may be easier to adjust the outhaul/draft with the loose foot, but again, as a non-racer how often do you do that? And if you really get bored on a light-wind day, it's easy enough to slack off the tension on the outhaul of a shelf-footed sail too. I bought the shelf footed sail because it is a design I've had for lots of years and am most familiar with. It was a good decision for me.
I use a Charlston in-mast furling Main...
and, as a cruising sailor, I love the configuration. I opted for the 150 genoa to make up for some of the lost sail area in the furling Main.On Saturday, I took the boat out for a day sail (in 15-20 knot winds) and was doing 7-7.5 knots. Ours is a 31 foot boat with an 11 foot beam, so it is definitely not the fastest boat on water, however, in comparison with my former boats, it's still moves fairly well. Previous to this boat, I've had experience with both a traditional masthead rig, and a BandR fractional rig. Note: I do race, but not on this boat, but I love the convenience and ease of reefing on the furling Main. Just my 2 cents...
and, as a cruising sailor, I love the configuration. I opted for the 150 genoa to make up for some of the lost sail area in the furling Main.On Saturday, I took the boat out for a day sail (in 15-20 knot winds) and was doing 7-7.5 knots. Ours is a 31 foot boat with an 11 foot beam, so it is definitely not the fastest boat on water, however, in comparison with my former boats, it's still moves fairly well. Previous to this boat, I've had experience with both a traditional masthead rig, and a BandR fractional rig. Note: I do race, but not on this boat, but I love the convenience and ease of reefing on the furling Main. Just my 2 cents...
something different
i have an 18' vintage harken designed vanguard volant and a catalina 470. when i wanted to replace the furling sail on the 18 footer, north sent a sketch that showed battens in the leech. after informing the designer of my considerable experience and education, and that it is impossible to furl battens, he set me straight. he asked if i had a tape measure. i said yes. he asked when i pulled it out if it remained straight. i said yes. he asked if it easily retracted into circular form inside the housing. i said yes. that is the type battens they put in the leech of the sail. when unfurled, they remained straight. when furled, they just curled right up. that was a great sail. i hear now that high tech boats are beginning to use high pressure inflatable battens that energize with a CO2 cartridge.....what a great idea. as for a loose footed main. if you have not used one, you really should not advise on the advantage or disadvantage. i have used all types, and there is definately a huge advantage in a loose foot. for most of the sailing i do, when beam reaching, you can ease the foot just 6 or 8 inches and really power up the main. also, in a broach, the loose foot allows water to pass and therefore not explode the mainsail. i will never have anything other than loose. that is what i have on my 380 lb daysailer and my 30,000 lb 470. all of this just my opinion. rt
i have an 18' vintage harken designed vanguard volant and a catalina 470. when i wanted to replace the furling sail on the 18 footer, north sent a sketch that showed battens in the leech. after informing the designer of my considerable experience and education, and that it is impossible to furl battens, he set me straight. he asked if i had a tape measure. i said yes. he asked when i pulled it out if it remained straight. i said yes. he asked if it easily retracted into circular form inside the housing. i said yes. that is the type battens they put in the leech of the sail. when unfurled, they remained straight. when furled, they just curled right up. that was a great sail. i hear now that high tech boats are beginning to use high pressure inflatable battens that energize with a CO2 cartridge.....what a great idea. as for a loose footed main. if you have not used one, you really should not advise on the advantage or disadvantage. i have used all types, and there is definately a huge advantage in a loose foot. for most of the sailing i do, when beam reaching, you can ease the foot just 6 or 8 inches and really power up the main. also, in a broach, the loose foot allows water to pass and therefore not explode the mainsail. i will never have anything other than loose. that is what i have on my 380 lb daysailer and my 30,000 lb 470. all of this just my opinion. rt
a better mousetrap
Maxiroach.... a UK company that makes Vertically battened mainsails that will furl into the mast with full height battens, I have one on my 331 oceanis and it's amazing, it's a lot bigger than the factory inmast mainsail and a lot better shape,It was a bit stiff when we first furled it but since then it's been fantastic,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't work for them honest!!
Maxiroach.... a UK company that makes Vertically battened mainsails that will furl into the mast with full height battens, I have one on my 331 oceanis and it's amazing, it's a lot bigger than the factory inmast mainsail and a lot better shape,It was a bit stiff when we first furled it but since then it's been fantastic,,,,,,,,,,,,I don't work for them honest!!
What about older traditional designs?
I have a marconi rig, the main is the original that came with my C22 and it is working fine under original canvas. I had added two reefing points to be able to reduce sail by two slabs and worked out an efficient line and pulley system to reef from the mast. In my cruising state of mind, it is adequate but something has nagged me about the whole concept of the traditional main: it isn't simple enough. I think Joshua Slocum had it right when he rigged his Spray with a mainsail and rig designed after the Chinese junk. Could it be that such venerable designs as those of the Dahabeeyahs of ancient Egypt or the ancient Polynesian sail. Somewhere there is a genius mind looking to incorporate the best features of all the worlds greatest sail designs into a "technological modern marvel" that will make my sailing life one of ease and negligible concern. He or she will discover and/or invent a sail plan that will be self tending, efficient, forgiving, powerful and easy to maintain. Has everyone noticed how the main sheets of the C22 end up draping themselves on everyone in the cockpit when gybing? That should be a part of the sail plan too- keeping the works out of the way and instantly accessible. Perhaps a KAMRIG is the way to go?
I have a marconi rig, the main is the original that came with my C22 and it is working fine under original canvas. I had added two reefing points to be able to reduce sail by two slabs and worked out an efficient line and pulley system to reef from the mast. In my cruising state of mind, it is adequate but something has nagged me about the whole concept of the traditional main: it isn't simple enough. I think Joshua Slocum had it right when he rigged his Spray with a mainsail and rig designed after the Chinese junk. Could it be that such venerable designs as those of the Dahabeeyahs of ancient Egypt or the ancient Polynesian sail. Somewhere there is a genius mind looking to incorporate the best features of all the worlds greatest sail designs into a "technological modern marvel" that will make my sailing life one of ease and negligible concern. He or she will discover and/or invent a sail plan that will be self tending, efficient, forgiving, powerful and easy to maintain. Has everyone noticed how the main sheets of the C22 end up draping themselves on everyone in the cockpit when gybing? That should be a part of the sail plan too- keeping the works out of the way and instantly accessible. Perhaps a KAMRIG is the way to go?
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