I know there are a ton of other posts on this topic - I've read them all!
So now am looking for your insight please on sail choice specific to my boat, particularly from folks that have experience with this or similar rig please.
Boat: 2000 Beneteau 361
Rig: Furling headsail and Main (in-mast furling). Has a baby stay . . . sounds like the Genoa will get caught up on the baby stay a lot. I plan to purchase a selden bowsprit, asymetrical sail and furler in two years.
Current sails: NorthSails Cross-cut Dacron (original). Genoa can be repaired as back-up, main is dead.
Crew: Me (capable 50yo), my wife and our 8yo son. They are both capable sailors (my son is in youth sailing : ). But we're not racers . . . there will be some sail flogging : )
Intended use: Great Lakes Cruising - two weeks at a time max. We try not to motor and like to sail fast. Now that my boy is getting older, we may do some club racing.
Experience: 10 yrs on S2 8.0B (measured and ordered sails years back from Rolly Tasker)
Budget: Perhaps $5-6K for Furling Main and Genoa . . . can go more, but really don't want to . . .
My questions please:
-- Laminate or Dacron? Am leaning towards DP Flex Polyester cross-cut for both sails as a step-up from Dacron, lighter, main should furl really nicely . . . and it looks pretty cool. North 3di is awesome . . . but I just can't justify spending that much . . .
-- Partial vertical battens on main? My selden mast has 1/2" vertical opening for the sail. Are vertical battens a good idea (I know how to furl properly) or are they going to be lots of trouble for minimal incremental benefit?
-- Any add'l insight will be greatly valued. I'm hugely grateful for the insight you all have shared on my past questions - thank you.
My biggest concerns: Need to sail well / fast (yes, I realize we've already given up some of that with a roller main), need the roller furlers to work well / be able to reef when needed, am very concerned with catastrophic failure of a sail because it would mean that I have no sail that summer (and life is too short).
Thank you all so much - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
So now am looking for your insight please on sail choice specific to my boat, particularly from folks that have experience with this or similar rig please.
Boat: 2000 Beneteau 361
Rig: Furling headsail and Main (in-mast furling). Has a baby stay . . . sounds like the Genoa will get caught up on the baby stay a lot. I plan to purchase a selden bowsprit, asymetrical sail and furler in two years.
Current sails: NorthSails Cross-cut Dacron (original). Genoa can be repaired as back-up, main is dead.
Crew: Me (capable 50yo), my wife and our 8yo son. They are both capable sailors (my son is in youth sailing : ). But we're not racers . . . there will be some sail flogging : )
Intended use: Great Lakes Cruising - two weeks at a time max. We try not to motor and like to sail fast. Now that my boy is getting older, we may do some club racing.
Experience: 10 yrs on S2 8.0B (measured and ordered sails years back from Rolly Tasker)
Budget: Perhaps $5-6K for Furling Main and Genoa . . . can go more, but really don't want to . . .
My questions please:
-- Laminate or Dacron? Am leaning towards DP Flex Polyester cross-cut for both sails as a step-up from Dacron, lighter, main should furl really nicely . . . and it looks pretty cool. North 3di is awesome . . . but I just can't justify spending that much . . .
-- Partial vertical battens on main? My selden mast has 1/2" vertical opening for the sail. Are vertical battens a good idea (I know how to furl properly) or are they going to be lots of trouble for minimal incremental benefit?
-- Any add'l insight will be greatly valued. I'm hugely grateful for the insight you all have shared on my past questions - thank you.
My biggest concerns: Need to sail well / fast (yes, I realize we've already given up some of that with a roller main), need the roller furlers to work well / be able to reef when needed, am very concerned with catastrophic failure of a sail because it would mean that I have no sail that summer (and life is too short).
Thank you all so much - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!