I am having a new mainsail made by a local sailmaker. The boat is a 1977 Catalina 30 tall rig. The new sail has battens on the 1st and second position from the top along with a mid sail full batten and a fourth partial batten toward the foot. All looks standard. The upper area of the sail with the two top battens brushes across the backstay by a few inches in that area due to a larger than original roach. The batten pockets are reinforced and covered with a clear plastic cover. So, when the sail tacks from port to starboard and back again, the top two battens can slide over the backstay in that area. The sailmaker states that this design gives added drive for the main and has used this design for several years with no problems or complaints of rubbing on the backstay. He said he stands behind te design and any future wear if present would be taken care of by him. I am an occasional sailor on Lake Erie in 5 to 20 knt wind. What is your opinion. Have you seen this design before. It reminds me o the shape of a sail on a catamaren design. I hope the description is adequate for you to envision. Thank you/
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The sailmaker is trying to build you the biggest sail for your boat which does indeed give the maximum performance. I had a max roached main built for my boat with exactly the same problem. I have slightly swept spreaders which allows the backstay to be completely slack without loosing the rig. I removed the steel backstay and replaced it with a spectra line which is held further away from the masthead by a flexible batten which allows the main to move port and stbd without touching the backstay. When backstay tension is needed for upwind work, the flexible batten bends and the backstay can be fully tensioned. Your choice is to use the larger roached main, or have it made smaller to clear.
John: I know you obtained recommendations that led you to your sailmaker and you did not just pull his name out of the local marine directory. This goes for anyone reading this thread - you just gotta trust your local sailmaker, who has probably been in business for a number of years, that he know what is best for your boat and that he understands the conditions you sail in and can accordingly design the sail to get the best out of this combination of things. I mean if you can't trust him, who can you trust? Here is the other end of the spectrum. Yesterday, I was at Minney's in Newport Beach, Ca selling some sailing stuff I was sick of looking at in my garage. In front of me was a mate buying a used mainsail for a C34. Casually, I asked him what made him decide to buy that sail. He told me very quicky that he could not pass up the price!! I then asked about the condition of the sail and if it would fit his boat and he said he felt it looked pretty good and thought it would fit. There is a sucker born every minute and two to take him and God made sheep to be shorn. What I mean is, unless your loaded with money you should know what your doing before you jump in with both feet. It cost a little bit more but your local sailmaker does know his business or soon he'll be out of business. You have to pay a bit more for his experience but it is worth it in the long run - at least to me it is. John, hoist that sail and go for it. I'll bet you won't be disappointed in the performance you get out of it. Alan likes his sail and so will you.
Should Be Fine
I had a big main built once for my O'Day 27 and the roach was cut just as you describe. You'd have to do a huge amount of tacks before it would show wear. Sounds like you have a really good sail. The one on my O'Day was. Rick D.
I had a big main built once for my O'Day 27 and the roach was cut just as you describe. You'd have to do a huge amount of tacks before it would show wear. Sounds like you have a really good sail. The one on my O'Day was. Rick D.
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