Does anyone have experience with a fully battened mainsail on a Hunter 34, which has the swept-back spreaders? I am looking into a new loose footed fully battened main and am concerned that the battens and spreaders may be in conflict
Battened mainsail
- Thread starter Jessie Fender
- Start date
- Status
Our 1996 280 had a fully battened main and has swept spreaders/no backstay. Which ever sail you use, it will get into the spreaders on downwind legs but there was no "conflict" between battens and spreaders. When eased, the batten was not on the same plane as the spreader. The sail had good spreader patches and we didn't have any particular issues with wear. I converted to a 2+2 loose-foot a couple of years ago and enjoy the better performance we get out of it. Still lays against the spreaders though on occasion . . .
Last edited:
I have one on mine, new last summer. Loose foot and I love it. It works very well on every point of sail except down wind but of course this is true of the old sail as well. The loose foot really allows for better sail shape especially in lighter winds. You won't regret it. Mine was made by Sobstead Sails and is an 8.8 dacron cloth. I ordered it through our local Leitch and McBride loft in North Van. Canada. (They now own Sobstead) Their rep came out to measure the boat just to be sure he wasn't missing anything and was glad he did as the shape of the mast is something that has to be formed in to the sail. It fits perfectly. Enjoy your new sail, it sure makes a difference, Cheers, Ian
I'm sorry, I didn't answer your main question. The answer is, no, the battens do not interfere with the spreaders and since I asked for the heavier cloth, my sailmaker wasn't too concerned about wear points where the spreaders touch the sail in a downwind situation. I may have protection sewn in as it gets older though. I also have booties on the ends of the spreaders.
- Status