Full Batten Main Convertion

[Tony Wilcox]

Hi Is it possible to convert a 2004 roller furling main to one with vertical battens ?Tony

 

[Frank Ladd]

What would be the point?

The no batten main is the least expensive production sail available that is Roller furling. Putting in battens won't help it sail faster. It won't add any sail area and is not likely to make the sail last longer. If you are having problems with leach flutter then you can trim the sail to fix the problem if it has not gone to far. This is a common proble I see on the standard RF mains delivered with the boat. I'ved heard them refered to as delivery sails and I wonder if that means they are on meant to last for the delivery cruise. Otherwise, Have the leach recut and taped and have the sailmaker show you how to trim it well. This recutting and taping plus a trim lesson from the sailmaker can really improve the main performance. If your're a cruiser and an occasional racer this might be all you need for years.  If you're serious about racing then save your money for a new sail designed to carry the bigger area that the full battens allow. Racers plan on buying new sails about every two or three years so the production sails will last long enough to get you through a season or two.

 

[Bill Colombo]

Adding Battens to an RF Main

Tony,Since your RF main is designed with leech hollow adding vertical battens to it would limit the benefit to preventing leech flutter and leech hook. I don't think that this is a bad idea since these mains typically have problems in this area. You need to make sure you have enough room for the battens to pass through the mast opening. I would recommend using 200 flat battens. While the sail is at the loft you should have them look at the leech to see if it needs any take-ups before any pockets are added.Thanks,Bill C.Doyle Sails

 

[Tony]

Sail Area/Bill C.

Bill Thanks for your reply. Perhaps I didn't explain enough, The reason I am asking about adding the battens is in conjunction of adding the sail area of the roach to the existing sail as well.Hope this is clearerTony

 

[PHitchcox]

Retrofit2

Sorry to ride on Tony's post; had come around to a similar question on a post about light air sailing.To repeat his question - can a roach be added along with VB's? Is such a retrofit doable?And thanks for answering all the questions this week.

 

[Bill Colombo]

Forget It

Frank, Adding roach and battens to a hollow leech RF mainsail is not practical. It would be rather costly and almost impossible to end up with a smooth sail. The best thing to do would be to sell the old sail and put that money toward a new main designed from the beginning to your specs. Used RF mainsails can be sold to owners of standard mains in view of conversion into storm trysails.Thanks,Bill ColomboDoyle Sails