Vertical Batten/Inmast

[seadaddler]

Has any one added Vertical Battens to their stock inmast main UK sail.
I was just wondring if any one has added them and was it worth it or no big difference.
I started crewing and racing here in Punta Gorda and while out yesterday I noticed three Hunters with Vertical Battens on their inmast furling mains,2 were newer Hunters and one was a before 2000 Hunter with the vertical battens.
When I get a chance to talk to them I will ask them but until than I am asking any other's here,will be racing again today,I am not a racer but now trying it and hope to learn what it's like and than maybe race my H-36 some day.
Nick

 

[Ed Schenck]

Who made your sail Nick? Is Hunter using UK? I would call them and ask about adding vertical battens. Not sure why they couldn't sew in pockets. But I'll bet it isn't cheap.

 

[Brian L.20665]

Nick, I'm sure it could be done, but is not worth retrofitting your old UK - I would contact a sailmaker and go new. One of the main advantages to having vertical battens is that the sail can have a fuller roach (read, more sail area), so if you want to take full advantage of retrofitting that design, you need to pause to think through that you are not only adding pockets for the battens, but also, adding roach area, which would be tough to add on. Not worth doing on your existing sail.

As an example, on our 2005 H41, the mainsail options from the Hunter factory when we purchased the boat: standard stock mainsail (non-furl) = 590 sq ft; Furling main with vertical battens = 543 sq ft.; Furling with no battens = 487 sq ft. Certainly enough to make a difference in each, performance wise. The vertical batten main, which is the one we have, was made by Doyle.

As a guideline, call Hunter customer service to see how those options were for your 36. You might even find them in your 36's manual.

 

[seadaddler]

Thanks

I know the sq ft is different in all three different sails as mentioned by Brian and my sail is 2007 so not too old and was just seeing if I could improve my stock sail with out going for a new sail right now.
I will be looking into my options down the road.
Nick

 

[Scott B]

I spoke to the UK dealer in our area. As Brian was saying, the sail shape is much different having battens vs. not. I was aslo looking at adding battens and not worth the cost vs. getting new, larger roach main designed to have battens.

Brian, as an aside, when do you find you have to start reefing / furling the main. We're looking in the future to go either H38 or H41 and was curious about what kind of winds speeds you needed to start reducing sail.