"Full Batten Main Sail" Pros & Cons?

[drb9]

I have a fully battened main, with an attached foot. I've read the articles, and can understand some of the advantages of a loose foot. But, with my sail, I have two grommets in the clew of my sail, one about 8" above the other. I had read on this board *here* that the upper one is for normal winds, and you should switch the outhaul to the lower grommets under light-air conditions. Wouldn't that essentially give you a loose foot under normal sailing conditions?

I'm still trying to figure out what a batten car is, or why you would use it. Would you need a track for the cars? Why is my slotted mast, plus slugs, not good enough?

[Dick Barthel]

Sincerely appreciate all of the input. Based on the insight gained here we are now looking at a batten slide and cars, plus the main.
With the mast down, now is the time to instal the slide.

I purchased a new main three weeks ago (North Direct) so I missed the benefit of this very informative thread. I came to a similar conclusion though - loose footed using 2+2. With a smaller boat/smaller sail like mine I think the 2 +2 might be close to a no brainer but I wouldn't argue the point.

I am installing a Tides Marine slide system which is fairly expensive but eliminates one of the worse features on my boat when single handing - the damn slides hanging up when you're trying to raise or lower in any kind of wind. The rigger that our yard uses tells me it's a very good system. I got the name from a recent Good Old Boat renovation article. I also found a good installation video on the Sail Magazine website.

Incidentally, Dan Calore who has presented various times at NE Fleet functions is no longer with North Direct but Mike Koster is very knowledgeable and happy to continue the tradition.

Good luck with all the upgrades.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!

Dick

[GLutzow]

The cut of a loose footed sail is different from a sail designed to have a captive(slug) footed sail.

[M. R. Bober]

Are you thinking of a loose footed main vs. a captured foot? The loose foot does move the load to the clew, which may be an issue if you have midboom sheeting.

...

How is that different from a reefed main (boom track slugs not bearing load--only clew and tack)?

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Foot loose--Loose foot, what's the difference?) VA

[GLutzow]

the foot of the sail has a different shape to it.

[Carter Brey]

Hi,

I had UK make me a new main last year with a single full-length batten and three extra-length battens. Loose-footed, draft stripes. A real pleasure to trim. At the same time, I installed a Tides Marine sail track. Sail comes down into the lazy jacks faster than Mata Hari's drawers.

https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Photos/M ... w=3a08b02f

Best regards,
Carter

[tartansailor]

Hi,
. Sail comes down into the lazy jacks faster than Mata Hari's drawers.
Best regards,
Carter

Dick

[GLutzow]

Carter; I tried your link and was slapped on the wrist because "I didn't belong there"

[Jerry Hammernik]

Dick,

I've had a full batten main for years and I don't have batt cars. Just the same slugs that came with the boat originally. Sailmaker told me that you only need them on big boats with big sails. My former 25 was fine and so is my 28. Never any problem putting the sail up or lowering it. Less complexity, less cost.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Carter; I tried your link and was slapped on the wrist because "I didn't belong there"

Same thing happened to me. Obviously, Mata does not want us to see what's under her drawers. Not sure why. My reading of history suggests she let a whole lot of guys get a peek and more.

[Wingaersheek II]

I don't think it's necessary to add a track and car system if you switch to a fully battened main AS LONG AS there are no other pre-existing problems raising/dropping your main that you are looking to correct. One caveat to this might be if you're switching to some stiffer high-tech sailcloth (e.g. mylar).

My CD27 has a fully battened main using the original slide and slug system. At the start of every season, I lube the slide with McLube Sailkote. The sail goes up smooth & easy and drops like a rock. I replaced the sail a couple years ago and it never crossed my mind to change anything with the setup since I've never experienced any issues.