I have a 1995 Beneteau Oceanis 300 (essentially a rebadged First 310). I love the convenience of the furling mainsail, but for all of the known reasons (flat sail shape, no roach, difficult to shape the sail) we don't get the best spped out of the boat. We day sail and cruise, so racing performance is not needed. We're considering replacing the sails. Wee're not considering changing the rig. The swing batten seems to have not taken off as a winning concept. What's new in sails for furling mains?
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Trevor - SailboatOwners.com
I feel your pain
Hi Bruce - I'm new in the arena of furling mains. I always maintained I'd opt for a full roached standard mainsail, but I found my dreamboat, and the furling main is what it has. Since, I've learned to really appreciate the benefits. However, like you, since I need to replace the mainsail soon, I'd like to take advantage of any performance enhancing ideas are out there. So far, I'm only aware of the swingbatten option from Doyle, and I've heard recently about vertical battens. My main concerns are failure of mechanisms that retract battens (thereby preventing furling of the sail, especially in a blow), and other potential long term wear issues. I'll see what I can find out, and let's see what others have to say. Thanks for bringing up the topic! Trevor
Hi Bruce - I'm new in the arena of furling mains. I always maintained I'd opt for a full roached standard mainsail, but I found my dreamboat, and the furling main is what it has. Since, I've learned to really appreciate the benefits. However, like you, since I need to replace the mainsail soon, I'd like to take advantage of any performance enhancing ideas are out there. So far, I'm only aware of the swingbatten option from Doyle, and I've heard recently about vertical battens. My main concerns are failure of mechanisms that retract battens (thereby preventing furling of the sail, especially in a blow), and other potential long term wear issues. I'll see what I can find out, and let's see what others have to say. Thanks for bringing up the topic! Trevor
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LARRY W.
FURL FOR SPEED
BRUCE; YOU NEED A 150% GENNY WITH A FURLING MAIN. ANYTHING LESS DOESN'T DEVELOP ENOUGH HP.
BRUCE; YOU NEED A 150% GENNY WITH A FURLING MAIN. ANYTHING LESS DOESN'T DEVELOP ENOUGH HP.
Furling Main Alternative
Hello Bruce and All, I will be taking over for Bill Columbo this week. Without trying to advertise, Doyle has come up with an alternative to our own swing batten sail, as Trevor mentioned, we now do a full vertical batten mainsail, allowing more roach. once the battens are in, the sail furls like a normal rf main, but with added performance.
Hello Bruce and All, I will be taking over for Bill Columbo this week. Without trying to advertise, Doyle has come up with an alternative to our own swing batten sail, as Trevor mentioned, we now do a full vertical batten mainsail, allowing more roach. once the battens are in, the sail furls like a normal rf main, but with added performance.
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bruce
Furling Main Alternative
Vertical battens sound good for returning some roach to the otherwise knife blade shape. But speaking of shape, how does it work for sail trim? Another thought is the problem of putting battens in the mast - it's a tight fit now with the original sail. I'd not want to sacrifice longevity for a lighter fabric. Go ahead, toot your own horn. How does the vertical batten stack up to the original sail? I'm assuming the cost is competitive with any new sail, but how much performance egde will I really gain? Thanks for your reply.
Vertical battens sound good for returning some roach to the otherwise knife blade shape. But speaking of shape, how does it work for sail trim? Another thought is the problem of putting battens in the mast - it's a tight fit now with the original sail. I'd not want to sacrifice longevity for a lighter fabric. Go ahead, toot your own horn. How does the vertical batten stack up to the original sail? I'm assuming the cost is competitive with any new sail, but how much performance egde will I really gain? Thanks for your reply.
Vertical batten RF Mains
Hi Bruce, The mast type does have alot to do with whether or not there is room in the mast cavity for this type of sail. We have had no problem with Selden or Charleston spars. Each batten, 3 of them, are not much bigger in diameter than a pencil. These battens support the roach and leech. This allows about as much roach as a standard monohull cruising main and puts roach in the critical top third of the sail. The supported leech and added roach improves light air performance and the battens keep the leech open, instead of "tubing" like a conventional RF Main. Cost is comparable to a standard mainsail.
Hi Bruce, The mast type does have alot to do with whether or not there is room in the mast cavity for this type of sail. We have had no problem with Selden or Charleston spars. Each batten, 3 of them, are not much bigger in diameter than a pencil. These battens support the roach and leech. This allows about as much roach as a standard monohull cruising main and puts roach in the critical top third of the sail. The supported leech and added roach improves light air performance and the battens keep the leech open, instead of "tubing" like a conventional RF Main. Cost is comparable to a standard mainsail.
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