Questions Questions

[Wayne s/v Mahina Kai]

What a great guest forum. Thanks to everyone for the cool information so far. When I stop by Hawthorne Cove this summer I'm expecting a full report from Mr Chuck Wayne on his new Sails.I do have a couple of questions.Question1:We had an APC spinaker on our H34 and really enjoyed it. I have been assuming that we would get a APC spinaker for our 410 as well. However, the UPS sail looks like an attractive alternative. Has anyone used both? what are the pros and cons of each? What criteria do you use to decide? How is the UPS rigged?The second question is on the swing battons main? Is this a complely new sail? or is it a modifcation of an existing sail? Are there other alternatives? I thin someone mentioned vertical battons how does that compare?thanks-w

 

[Chuck Wayne]

Doyle Sails

Hi Wayne,you'll certainly get your report! and Please look us up when you get to Hawthorne cove! Our Doyle (Ploch) guest can probably answer your questions better than I can, but here goes...In reseaching the main issue, the swingbatten seemed to be the better-higher performance, better shape, and easier handling than the vertical batten. It's a new sail, it's really different from the standard sail shape and construction. If you follow this forum the "delivery sails" that Hunter provides have a very poor lifespan, and I suspect are lower quality cloth. Hindsight is 20-20, but I should have ordered my 356 without sails...Even if they could/would, I wouldn't send good money after bad having the UK sails reworked. We used our APC a lot last year, and loved it. The APC flies from about a beam reach to a deep run, but needs to be trimmed properly to make sure the luff doesn't collapse. The UPS is best from a broad reach ( maybe 160-170 degrees) all the way up to a close reach (35 degrees) It has a high modulus luff line that is hoisted tight with the spinnaker halyard, so it's much more trim tolerant. they are clearly very effective in light air-all the racers are using the racing equivalent (code 0). After talking extensively to my sail consultant at Doyle, I counted up the number of light air summer days last year where the UPS would have made the difference between fun and boredom--I ordered one this morning! For comparison: my UK sails actually measured a lot less than the spec 685 sq ft, the new swingbatten main and 120% jib increased my std sail area by about 30%. The APC is 1058 sq ft, and the UPS is 600 sq. ft. Both sails use the ATN sock for snuffing. I've got good baseline numbers for my 356, so we'll do a comparison as soon as we hit the water. The Doyle Guys will come out to help set up the sails and teach me the tricks of the trade.see you this summer!

 

[Chuck Wayne]

Wayne

Wayne, I forgot to ask...how's your punch list????Chuck

 

[Tim Stodola]

Questions

Hi Wayne, Thanks for joining the Doyle Sails Forum.I believe Chuck has effectively reiterated my comments on the UPS and APC.But I will comment again on the Difference between the Doyle Swing Batten Main and the New Zenith Vertical Batten Main. The Swing Batten, does allow for a tiny bit more sail area than the Zenith, but does require some attention while sailing.The Zenith, once the battens are installed, works like your RF Main does now.However, Both the Swing Batten and Zenith provide roach and critical sail girth in the top third of the sail. They also allow the leach to stay open providing better flow off the sail. A standard RF Main tends to close off or "Tube" at the top making the top of the sail very inefficient. This is more noticable as the sail gets older. Either way, your existing sail cannot be modified. But if you are looking for more performance, Look to either the Swing Batten or the Zenith.