Slapping Main

[Captain Dave]

I have a 2002 Hunter 356 with a furling main. When the wind is over 15 knots it seems like I can not get the main shaped or tight enough to stop the leach from slapping in the wind. Are you familar with the boat, sail and problem? Does Doyle have a solution?Captain Dave

 

[Chuck Wayne]

356 shaking leach

I know this is the guest expert forum, but my local Doyle loft solved the problem on the stock sail while they were measuring my boat for a swingbatten! as delivered, my dealer had too much tension on the halyard and we couldn't stop the shaking with the leachline-Doyle suggested easing the halyard just a bit, and the shaking stopped and we could control the shape much better. Of course, the stock sail's in the bag now-the swingbatten is a huge improvement.

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Chuck, tell us about your swingbatten(s) please!

Hi Chuck -I've heard about the improvement on sail shape that the Doyle swingbatten offers (vertical battens are the other option I know about to improve sail shape); can you share some more of your experiences, both positive and negative? Most new sailboats are delivered with furling mains these days, and I haven't heard much in the way of actual owner experiences.Thanks in advance!Trevor

 

[LARRY W.]

SHAKIN' LIKE A LEECH

DAVE; ON MY OC400, I CRANK THE VANG DOWN VERY HARD TO STEADY THE LEECH.

 

[Jeff Bacon]

Tighten the Leech Line ..

without overtightening with the result that the leech will curl to windward

 

[Chuck Wayne]

Doyle swingbatten

Trevor, the sail's fantastic! look in the archives for my post of the old bedsheet on top of the new sail-it puts back the roach-about 30% more sail area, and the sail shape is much better. Doyle built the sail to their improved design, which puts the battens in a sleeve so they move easier and can be easily replaced. after a while, we found that the small mast section on the selden 356 rig sometimes caused the sail to bind. Doyle immediately attacked the problem, reworked the sail several times-they came to the boat, removed the sail and installed my old main each time-and now it works really well. Sail shape, even reefed, is beautiful, and adjustable,and she's much faster-1-2 kts faster in light airs (full main up to 12kt). In additon, better shaping and draft control means less heel, so you can carry more sail for any given wind. the only downside is you have to remember to swing the battens when reefing! in my case (I'm short!)I have to go up the side of the arch to pull the control line-well worth it!

 

[Trevor - SailboatOwners.com]

Thanks Chuck -

If my mast will accept the swingbatten main, I'd will seriously consider it. Bill (SF Doyle), expect a call...Thanks!Trevor