standard, or full battens

[daver360]

My sliders on my main sail are worn. (even with dry lubricate) I think its the original main sail with the 96X. Im getting ready to order a new mainsail. What is the advantage between full and standard battens. I was going to order full battens. But then.... Can you stow your sail in your original Mac cover? What is the advantage between full and standard battens. I appreciate your comments!

[delevi]

Full battens have several advantages and a few disadvantages. The advantages are:

Virtually no flogging. This is quieter and will prolong the life of the sail. It also gives the sail nice shape.

The downsides are that you don't have much control over the draft of the lower portion of the sail. Also, if not made properly, a full battened sail will have an artificial shape from the battens... hard to explain, but basically if you go this route, make sure it's made by a well qualified sailmaker. In addition, full battens force the luff forward into the mast. This requires special hardware to prevent chafe and to make raising/lowering easier. The hardware is expensive and it is still more difficult to raise a full batten sail vs. standard. Full battens cost more than standard, plus the cost of the hardware.

When I got my new sails, I decided to get the top 2 battens full and the lower 2 standard. Keep in mind that most sailmakers will still make standard battens quite a bit longer than what you get on a stock Mac sail. This is a good thing. I believe the 2x2 combo is the best of both worlds, providing excellent shape and power up top and the ability to get good control of draft in the lower 1/2 of the sail. I love this setup. I would also highly recommend getting a loose-footed sail as well. You get outstanding control of draft, being able to make it super flat for windy conditions or as full as a jib when winds are light or when sailing off the wind.

As for the cover fitting... hard to say. Probably yes, but if you get a heavier sail, it may not. I had to get a new one made since I got much stiffer sails and a Dutchman flaking system. The old one just wouldn't fit, plus I needed openings for the Dutchman monofillament lines.

Good luck and enjoy your new sail(s)

Leon

[Trav White]

The 26X that I bought has the 26M rotating mast, so the sail is a little bit bigger. The sail has full battens and I can stow it in my sail cover, although it is not the standard Mac cover, so I'm not sure of the differences in sizes. I only have sail slugs on the main, but I have the main halyard led aft so I just pull hard then wrap around the winch and crank it up, no problems. I do not have batten cars, just the slugs.

[daver360]

Thanks for the info, Leon, and Trav. I think Im going to keep it simple now and order the standard. I think it will be a big improvement to just have a new main that I call pull up all the way taunt. Going to buy one now at the sailwarehouse.com. Appreciate the help and you guys have a nice weekend!!!

[delevi]

Dave,

I believe the sail warehouse offers a 2x2 main. Just a few extra bucks, but should be well worth it.

Fair Winds,
L.

[baldbaby2000]

I just ordered a Pentex sail from Kelly-Hanson Marine. It has the 2 X 2 batten configuration like Leon's. I'm anxious to see how it does.

BB

[daver360]

Yea, I got an email today from sailwarehouse. I guess they didn't have the standard that I ordered. Would be a month. So, yes Leon, they did have the 2X2. I didn't know exactly what you were talking about when you first bought that up. I did order the 2X2. Its a bit more, but the warehouse agrees with you that its worth it! So I guess I should have it before the weekend. Can't wait to try it! Thanks alot for the help.

[delevi]

Congrats to the two new owners of new sails. I believe you will soon find out, as I recently did just how much the Mac comes alive with quality sails.

Dan,

More details on the new sail? Pics?

[daver360]

Got my new sail and tryed it out. As far as speed wise... I can't tell much of a difference as of yet. But as far as tacking and handling. Its a big difference. The boat can tack now, as it use to just stall. Use to have to start the motor alot to get it to turn. But then it was so windy earlier saturday, I hit the panic button and released the Jenny! Was trying to get her to move speed wise. I still have to get a feel for what this boat will do as far as, should I ride out 30 degrees or release the furler. It always gets your heart pumping! The sail itself, its a costal sail, thicker slicker, pulls really tight. Doesn't look like a dog mat. After putting the battens in place and the trim rope, It still was difficult to pull it up the last half foot, so I did cheat and use the hand crank like Trav White mentioned. I don't know if thats ok or not... I do like my new main though! I appreciate the advise purchasing it. And Im curious how baldbabys new main is going! When I get good at this, which Im way better then last year, I'll be looking at that chutescoop and spinnaker.

[daver360]

The new main does tack alot better even in low wind speeds now. Thats the biggest difference I notice now is in the handling while under sail. With the old, I would of had to start the motor to avoid hitting a way bigger nice sailboat. The boat seems to handle way better. I like that.

[delevi]

The full battens manke it a bit harder to hoist the main. No problem using the winch, just don't crank to the point of developing vertical wrinkles on the luff. Just enough to get the luff tight when the horizontal wrinkles disapear. The full bats are a bit more cumbersome, but you will soon appreciate the boost in performance, as you have already started to see with your tacking. 30 deg heel is OK. If you can keep it under, you would go faster, but no reason to panic. You can lay the boat down on it's side and it will come right back up when you release the sail sheets. If it's windy and you're heeling above 25 degrees, try furling in some of your genoa. If you are still heeling over 25, reef the main.

Have fun & enjoy the new sails.

Leon

PS. What is it about your new mainsail you don't like?