In Furl Mast Main Sail

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Nov 8, 2009
537
Hunter 386LE San Fancisco
For those that have in-furler mast main sails do you have vertical battens or no battens and why? What weight, i.e., ounce, sail do you have if you know?
 
Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
nO

No at the time that I was ordering my 2007 H-36 some one talked me out adding them but I have been hearing all good things about them.
I just spoke to a H-36 owner who changed over to a dacron sail with verticals and she said that the boat really screams.
I also crewed on a friends boat in a race here and I saw two Hunter with inmast and verticals who did very well,I added a folding prop which improved the performance of my sailing and motoring.
I don't race so my H-36 sails very well for my cruising and most likely will not change to verticals at this time and rather spend the $$$ for cruising related equipment.
Nick
 
Aug 26, 2007
272
Hunter 41DS Ventura, California
The factory installed forward batten on my 41 DS was about four inches too short. This allowed the top three foot carbon fiber tip section to work loose, drop down to the bottom of the batten pocket and jam in the mast slot.
I replaced it with a longer one and have had no further problems.

In addition to improved sail shape, the vertically battened main is significantly bigger than the non battened furling sail (at least on my boat). I like it.
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,622
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
I have to say that I initially thought the vertical battens were silly. Over the five years I've sailed the boat I have come to appreciate them and their influence on sail shape.
I think they make it more difficult to furl the sail. If you ever had to drop the sail because you're unable to furl it, you would have a time getting those battens out so that you could drop the sail.
Do the new boats have vertical battens or is there some other system being used?
When the sail flogs violently they can shoot through the batten pocket this has happened to me. It carved up the dodger. Consider the batten as a 40' spring when the sail is flogging.
 
Sep 28, 2006
60
Hunter 45CC Long Beach, Calif.
I'm not sure of the other Hunter's, but on the new 50 CC with the in-mast furling main, the three vertical battens are only at the top of the sail, and appear to be only 4 to 5 feet in lenght. This modification may have been made due to the problems that a lot of owners were having furling and un-furling the mains with the full length battens. We have a 45 CC and are in the process of seeing if our sail can be converted to one with the shortened battens.
Jeff
 
Jan 1, 2006
7,622
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
Let me know how that goes. I think it would be helpful in furling and the length might be adequate to support the roach area. Of course there will be considerable downward pressure on the bottom of batten pocket which may cause distortions in sail shape. Inflatable battens might be good too. No doubt $$$.
 
Nov 8, 2009
537
Hunter 386LE San Fancisco
Thank-you for the feedback. As a result this what I ordered for a Hunter 386 from the SF UK loft:
Estimate area 477.62
Cloth: Challenger High Modulus dacron 9.3oz
Including;
Spreader Patches
Draft stripes
Sunbrella Navy 4626 Suncover
Leech line
4 vertical battens
Hunter insignia
Clew web block for outhaul
Blue Water finish
Measure Boat
Install new Sail on boat
with winter - 15% Discount
 

MsEmee

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Nov 30, 2008
104
Catalina 445 Key Biscayne Fl
I changed my OEM sail for a partial vertical batten one from Mack sails. There was nothing wrong with the OEM sail, but as an ex racer, I want some control over sail shape.
I will say this sail rocks. I used to get about 50-55% of the wind velocity but now get 70-80% of the wind. I will say it was hard to roll up at first. This was caused because the Dacron was new and had to "LEARN" to roll up into the mast. Now after a year it rolls nicely. For me it was well worth the cost. BTW my old sail (like new) is for sale.
Melissa
2006 H-36 Rhapsody in Blue.
 
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