We are replacing our gib and are considering a vertically battened one. As I understand it, this will improve the shape of the gib when it is only partially unfurled and may allow a slightly bigger sail area for the same foot size. Does anyone have any experience of these? Thanks in advance.
Vertically battened gibs for Beneteau 37
- Thread starter S4iln
- Start date
Hi, is your sailmaker recommending this?
Just like on the main, battens (normally vertical on furling jibs) allow a sail to have more area by allowing positive roach on the leech. On headsails, the leech is normally hollow, or negative roach. This helps keep it from fluttering. And according to racing rules, ONLY JIBS can have straight leeches or positive roach. Genoas MUST have hollow.
On your boat having battens would allow more area on the leach, but you have to be careful that your rig will allow it with the same foot size. Often the leech will hit the diagonal shrouds, or the spreaders. Some boats (like the Beneteau First 35) have special spreaders (called boomerangs) to make more room. If it will not fit, you have to shorten the foot and you end up with the same area!
Check with your sailmaker and have them measure to make sure you can deal with the extra area. The other claim of better shape on a partial unfurl I've never heard before, seems dubious.
Just like on the main, battens (normally vertical on furling jibs) allow a sail to have more area by allowing positive roach on the leech. On headsails, the leech is normally hollow, or negative roach. This helps keep it from fluttering. And according to racing rules, ONLY JIBS can have straight leeches or positive roach. Genoas MUST have hollow.
On your boat having battens would allow more area on the leach, but you have to be careful that your rig will allow it with the same foot size. Often the leech will hit the diagonal shrouds, or the spreaders. Some boats (like the Beneteau First 35) have special spreaders (called boomerangs) to make more room. If it will not fit, you have to shorten the foot and you end up with the same area!
Check with your sailmaker and have them measure to make sure you can deal with the extra area. The other claim of better shape on a partial unfurl I've never heard before, seems dubious.
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S4:
Would agree with Jackdaw; The current jib we build for the 37 was shortened on the l.p. during the prototype stage as it just kissed the lowers and lower spreader..so the final production sail is about as big as you can get at those points with out touching.
You could possibly add a bit more area up high, but in my opine, not really worth the added weight and future maintenance issues. (hard batten in soft sail = eventual wear and tear)
There is no evidence that battens help the furled shape...what the battens really do is support the minimal extra 'roach' or additional area. As for reefed shape; foam luff takes care of that.
Bob P
NP Sails
Would agree with Jackdaw; The current jib we build for the 37 was shortened on the l.p. during the prototype stage as it just kissed the lowers and lower spreader..so the final production sail is about as big as you can get at those points with out touching.
You could possibly add a bit more area up high, but in my opine, not really worth the added weight and future maintenance issues. (hard batten in soft sail = eventual wear and tear)
There is no evidence that battens help the furled shape...what the battens really do is support the minimal extra 'roach' or additional area. As for reefed shape; foam luff takes care of that.
Bob P
NP Sails
Thank you both, Jackdaw and Bob, for your very helpful and informed replies. We shall talk to our sail maker again and, unless he is very convincing, we shall not be going with a battened sail. However, we shall ask moe about the foam luffs. Thanks
No worries!
One thing to watch for with roller-reefing a blade jib; with its low clew, often rolling will make it impossible to get a good sheet angle to the sail when reefed. Even with the car all the way forward, the lead can be low and very flat, and the sheet tension will only pull on the foot. The top of the sail will flog like crazy with no tension on it.
It part of the reason that you see so many boats like this with removable inner stays and staysails. It blows in your part of the world; something to think about!
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