Batcars a Necessity for Fully Battened Main?

[Mario]

Folks--

As the season winds down we anticipate ordering a new mainsail to be made over the winter. We may talk to some sailmakers at the boat show this weekend. I've read the posts on fully battened mains and we intend to go that route. However, we are wondering whether it's worth it to go with the Harken batcar system.

This weekend we crewed on a Pearson 31 during a short regatta. The owner had a fully battened main that used regular slides. When he had the main recut for full battens he figured that the Harken system, while attractive, added more expense than he could justify for his type of sailing. He said he didn't find there to be a problem with friction with the slides. We probably sail like he does--weekends with occasional longer sails on the Chesapeake Bay.

So, for those of you who have fully battened mains, did you go with the Harken system? If so, how do you like it and is it worth it? If not, why not?

Thanks for any help.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA



capedory252NOSPAM@aol.com

[Warren Kaplan]

Folks--

As the season winds down we anticipate ordering a new mainsail to be made over the winter. We may talk to some sailmakers at the boat show this weekend. I've read the posts on fully battened mains and we intend to go that route. However, we are wondering whether it's worth it to go with the Harken batcar system.

This weekend we crewed on a Pearson 31 during a short regatta. The owner had a fully battened main that used regular slides. When he had the main recut for full battens he figured that the Harken system, while attractive, added more expense than he could justify for his type of sailing. He said he didn't find there to be a problem with friction with the slides. We probably sail like he does--weekends with occasional longer sails on the Chesapeake Bay.

So, for those of you who have fully battened mains, did you go with the Harken system? If so, how do you like it and is it worth it? If not, why not?

Thanks for any help.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA

Mario,
For what its worth look into the Tidesmarine Strong mast track system.(www.tidesmarine.com). I'm considering getting it for the mainsail on my CD27. Its MUCH LESS expensive than the Harken system and works very well. My sailmaker said that for a boat my size (CD27) the tidesmarine system works great. The Harken is excellent too, but it costs an arm and a leg. Harken may be the way to go for very large boats with large mainsails but it just may be overkill for the smaller ones. I'd check it out and ask a few sailmakers for their opinions.

Warren Kaplan
Sine Qua Non
CD27
Oyster Bay Harbor, NY.



Setsail728@aol.com

[mike]

mario,

We bit the bullet and put the harken batt cars on our CD33 back in 1997.

After four roundtrips up and down the east coast, bahamas and beyond i couldn't be happier.

they work great, allow you to reef without coming up into the wind, prolong the mainsail life, you never have to worry about the sail hanging up and are VERY easy to raise and lower.

at first i thought the expense was going a bit over the top, but now, years later i am very glad they are on the boat, especially when my shoulder acts up.

go for 'em

Mike
LaVida
CD33

Folks--

As the season winds down we anticipate ordering a new mainsail to be made over the winter. We may talk to some sailmakers at the boat show this weekend. I've read the posts on fully battened mains and we intend to go that route. However, we are wondering whether it's worth it to go with the Harken batcar system.

This weekend we crewed on a Pearson 31 during a short regatta. The owner had a fully battened main that used regular slides. When he had the main recut for full battens he figured that the Harken system, while attractive, added more expense than he could justify for his type of sailing. He said he didn't find there to be a problem with friction with the slides. We probably sail like he does--weekends with occasional longer sails on the Chesapeake Bay.

So, for those of you who have fully battened mains, did you go with the Harken system? If so, how do you like it and is it worth it? If not, why not?

Thanks for any help.

Mario
s/v Rhapsody
CD30 #252
Regent Point, VA

lavida@seascan.com