Vertically Battened mainsail for 361

[RonB]

Does anyone have any experience with a vertically battened mainsail with your in-mast furling? My concern is with it hanging up when furling or unfurling. I'm looking at NeilPryde Sails and the price is only slightly more than their regular sail and has about 10% more volume.

 

[caprice]

Hi Ron,

My 323 came with a vertically battened mainsail. The battens really improve the sail's performance - I would recommend it.

Furling the main with battens is no different that furling the same sail without the battens in (I've done both on my way up the learning curve). The key to easy furling is:

1. Ease the main completely
2. Release the boom vang completely
3. If possible, have the wind to your portside (this helps the sail furl tightly)
4. Release the out haul and in haul jammers completely
5. Use the winch and handle to furl in at a moderate rate

When I've done it this way I've never had it jam up.

Unfurling is just as simple - be sure the vang and main sheet are both released and grind it out.

-Dan

 

[CCHer]

I do. I recollect reading something that Neil Pryde redesigned the batten pockets a few years ago to reduce the chances of their getting hung up. I haven't had a problem at all furling with the battens but they are a bear to get out of the sail when storing in the bag and the same again when installing. Dan has good advice on keeping wind to port to keep a little pressure on the sail when furling so it goes in without bunching up.