Welcome!

[Phil Herring]

We're excited to have Bill and Tim here to answer your questions about sails, one of the most frequently discussed topics in our forums.These guys are accomplished sailors, racers, and sailmakers, and they offer us a wealth of information. So have at it and give 'em a SailboatOwners.com welcome!

 

[Bob Keller]

Production Hunter 356 Mainsail

When sailing in heavier winds, above 16, the production (furling - loose footed) main sail on my 2002 Hunter 356 has a violent luff flutter. There have been many postings here on this site regarding the subject and several people say they have tamed it for the most part by loosening the out haul and adjusting the leech line. I believe I have tried all the suggested solutions with no improvement. I have also had some very experienced sailors witness and shake their heads over this situation. Again this condition occurs mostly when we are in higher winds and when close hauled.Any suggestions regarding taming this condition would be appreciated. If I were to decide to replace the main as many here have, how or what do I ask for to avoid the problem?.Thank you for any impute.Bob Keller, sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct

 

[Mark Millham]

Hi Bob!

I have pretty well solved the flutter, but admit it still haunts me in the right conditions. It doesn't surprise me that more experienced sailors are dumbfounded. Most sailors are sailing with fixed footed sails. As we are learning the hard way, it's different.In moderate winds(10-15), I find I HAVE to loosen the outhaul, or the boat is overpowered, and the arch about shales off. The funny thing that happens is I increase speed, averqaging 7.5-8 knots. With the sial fluttering even a little, I can't get 6.I'm in Maine, and would be glad to come down this spring. Maybe we can put our heads together and solve this issue.Also I have heard both pros and cons on the Doyle Swing Batten sail..that a re-design was needed for our particular boat. I'm also interested to know how Doyle suggests working the control lines in a stink hanging 5 feet off the deck by the archMark

 

[Chuck Wayne]

c'mon, mark, where's your sense of adventure!

seriously, try easing the halyard just a bit-too much tension on the halyard pulls the draft forward and tightens the leach. As to the swingbatten, remember that my boat was the first small section selden mast swingbatten that they built, and the whole Doyle team, including Robbie Doyle, worked hard to solve the problem. Now that they know what works, the sail's great! If someone orders one from another Doyle loft, just make sure they get the design from Doyle marblehead and the sail should work fine. the performance difference is incredible!

 

[Chuck Wayne]

swingbatten controls!

Sorry, I'm multitasking... to retract the battens you need to reach a control loop that hangs below the boom, it only takes a second or two to swing the battens (one line controls both). Close hauled, someone taller than mark & I (sorry mark) can reach the line standing on the seats-I just go a little way up the arch. In a pinch, you could still crank in the sail, you just break the battens.