I heard that for all the advantages of the full batten main, the negative is the difficulty of raising the sail. Any comments/sugestions from owners who happen to own a boat with the full batten sails?
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I have no trouble
I have a 34 foot O'day with a full batten main sail and have no problem at all raising the sail. If you do go with the full battens, make sure you get a good slide system for your sail. Most times I raise my main by hand up to the last couple of feet and then crank it the rest of the way. I'm 5'9" and 175 so I'm not Mr. Atlas.
I have a 34 foot O'day with a full batten main sail and have no problem at all raising the sail. If you do go with the full battens, make sure you get a good slide system for your sail. Most times I raise my main by hand up to the last couple of feet and then crank it the rest of the way. I'm 5'9" and 175 so I'm not Mr. Atlas.
what is the benefit?
i am taking delivery of a hunter 34 that has full batten main, what should i expect compared to non full batten thanks, mike
i am taking delivery of a hunter 34 that has full batten main, what should i expect compared to non full batten thanks, mike
faster in light air?
It might just be experience, a buddy of mine has a 34 hunter just like mine, except I have a full batten main and he doesn't. In lighter air the battens help keep the sail shape. He asked me the other day why mine was faster. I figured the sail has to help, and then more experience has a factor to play too. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
It might just be experience, a buddy of mine has a 34 hunter just like mine, except I have a full batten main and he doesn't. In lighter air the battens help keep the sail shape. He asked me the other day why mine was faster. I figured the sail has to help, and then more experience has a factor to play too. Tim Welsh H34 AKA Cabo Wabo
Full Batten Main
Save your money. The best set up for a cruiser is two full battens up top and two shorter ones below. F/B is more expensive to buy, wears on the spreaders, is heavier to lift and just ain't worth the investment. My vessel didn't get any faster when I added one and my next sail won't have them
Save your money. The best set up for a cruiser is two full battens up top and two shorter ones below. F/B is more expensive to buy, wears on the spreaders, is heavier to lift and just ain't worth the investment. My vessel didn't get any faster when I added one and my next sail won't have them
alternative.
Dan: I personally like the idea of full battens in the top positions and partial battens lower. One of the things that I did to aid in raising and lowering the sail on my H'31 was to reduce the halyard size from 1/2" Sta-setx to 7/16" Sta-set. This and new sheaves have made all the difference.
Dan: I personally like the idea of full battens in the top positions and partial battens lower. One of the things that I did to aid in raising and lowering the sail on my H'31 was to reduce the halyard size from 1/2" Sta-setx to 7/16" Sta-set. This and new sheaves have made all the difference.
i love 'em
i have a catalina 380 2003 #379. i love the full battened main. it is heavier than a regular sail, but does not have to be. the battens have enough support that lighter cloth can be used. i can raise it by myself all the way to the top from the cockpit. it is hard the last 2 feet....but possible (that is what the winch is for). i think i would like it better if a rope clutch was mounted on the mast. then i could jump the halyard at the mast, which is much easier by avoiding the friction of 2 additional turning blocks. the main joy of a full batten main, besides superior sail shape, is that combined with a properly adjusted lazy jack or dutchman, it is effortless to furl and does so perfectly most every time.
i have a catalina 380 2003 #379. i love the full battened main. it is heavier than a regular sail, but does not have to be. the battens have enough support that lighter cloth can be used. i can raise it by myself all the way to the top from the cockpit. it is hard the last 2 feet....but possible (that is what the winch is for). i think i would like it better if a rope clutch was mounted on the mast. then i could jump the halyard at the mast, which is much easier by avoiding the friction of 2 additional turning blocks. the main joy of a full batten main, besides superior sail shape, is that combined with a properly adjusted lazy jack or dutchman, it is effortless to furl and does so perfectly most every time.
Conflicting Expert Advice
I know Doyle recommends full top battens and partial (long) lowers for many of the reasons stated, including trim adjustment. My sailmaker recommended me staying with a full and going to light weight tapered battens. I did and it seems to work, and I do like the light-air shape. He said I would still have trim adjustability even with full battens and I seem to (altho I have to add purchase to the outhaul). Rick D.
I know Doyle recommends full top battens and partial (long) lowers for many of the reasons stated, including trim adjustment. My sailmaker recommended me staying with a full and going to light weight tapered battens. I did and it seems to work, and I do like the light-air shape. He said I would still have trim adjustability even with full battens and I seem to (altho I have to add purchase to the outhaul). Rick D.
Lazy Jacks vs battens
I love my full baten main, but do have problems raising with my Lazy Jacks. Any tips out there on how to work around this issue.
I love my full baten main, but do have problems raising with my Lazy Jacks. Any tips out there on how to work around this issue.
Chief, don't know what boat you have but I took
my lazy jacks off of my H34. I had them on the upper spreaders so they came near the leech. But with the full batton, high aspect main, I don't need the lazy jacks. It's a simple matter to hold the dropped main to the boom and tie it up.
my lazy jacks off of my H34. I had them on the upper spreaders so they came near the leech. But with the full batton, high aspect main, I don't need the lazy jacks. It's a simple matter to hold the dropped main to the boom and tie it up.
also consider loose foot
whether or not you go with full battens or not. i actually have a small olympic type racing boat with mylar/kevlar/pentax sails, and the previously mentioned cat380, (also a laser...i know i'm hooked). the racing boat is 18 feet 385 lbs. it has the two full top battens with shorter ones at the bottom. in real light air, the weight of the short battens puts a wrinkle in the sail at the inward end of the short battens. heavier air is no problem. the sail sets very well. it also has a loose foot that is not connected with a boltrope to the boom. the result is that i can really belly the sail out for broad reaching. it really screams when the jib is out and the main has about 1-1/2 foot of draft all the way to the bottom of the sail. (unlike a main that is attached to the boom).
whether or not you go with full battens or not. i actually have a small olympic type racing boat with mylar/kevlar/pentax sails, and the previously mentioned cat380, (also a laser...i know i'm hooked). the racing boat is 18 feet 385 lbs. it has the two full top battens with shorter ones at the bottom. in real light air, the weight of the short battens puts a wrinkle in the sail at the inward end of the short battens. heavier air is no problem. the sail sets very well. it also has a loose foot that is not connected with a boltrope to the boom. the result is that i can really belly the sail out for broad reaching. it really screams when the jib is out and the main has about 1-1/2 foot of draft all the way to the bottom of the sail. (unlike a main that is attached to the boom).
I have full battens with Dutchman on C270
and don't notice any added effort in raising, it does seem important to keep slugs lubed to allow it to drop smoothly.
and don't notice any added effort in raising, it does seem important to keep slugs lubed to allow it to drop smoothly.
Really like mine
I was reading an old (early 50's) book on racing tips and techniques, and it mentioned full battened sails being against the rules in some classes. Wonder what that implies... I do think that some sailmakers supply battens that are too stiff for the sail - if you get a full batten sail, check the shape at the top in light/moderate winds and make sure the batten isn't holding it too flat.
I was reading an old (early 50's) book on racing tips and techniques, and it mentioned full battened sails being against the rules in some classes. Wonder what that implies... I do think that some sailmakers supply battens that are too stiff for the sail - if you get a full batten sail, check the shape at the top in light/moderate winds and make sure the batten isn't holding it too flat.
My Pearson 26
came with a full batten Doyle mainsail. I have never sailed with an unbattened sail. However, it apears that it keeps the shape better and allows the boat to point up better. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Now this may be because my jibs are newer and are flatter. Other dockmates have mentioned that my mainsail is much heavier (thicker) than theirs and therefore holds it's shape better. Yes, it is much heavier and sometimes hard to raise. I find I need to spray silicone on the track often. David David
came with a full batten Doyle mainsail. I have never sailed with an unbattened sail. However, it apears that it keeps the shape better and allows the boat to point up better. (Correct me if I'm wrong.) Now this may be because my jibs are newer and are flatter. Other dockmates have mentioned that my mainsail is much heavier (thicker) than theirs and therefore holds it's shape better. Yes, it is much heavier and sometimes hard to raise. I find I need to spray silicone on the track often. David David
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