Easy reef Main furler and vertical battens

[Richard Hughson]

Hi all,
we have a Beneteau First 305 with Z-spars mast with an easy reef behind mast furler, I'm wondering if anyone has this system and has added a vetically battened main?

having never seen vertical battens we have no idea of their size and if they will fit through the slot in the furler.

Richard

 

[Tranona]

Easyreef sold battened mains in period so you should be able to fit battens. Space inside the extrusion might be an issue, although the sail area and therefore bulk of furled sail should not be excessive on that size boat. Not sure it is worth having battens though - very mixed opinions as to their benefits. Batteneded mains are very expensive, as much as 50%% over plain. When I replaced my furling main I went for a better quality more stable cloth (Vecrtan) with a reinforced leech which worked really well. Suggest you talk to a sailmaker (probably more than one) for advice. My sail was made by Kemps, but the advice to go the Vectran route came from others such as Crusader and Elvestrom as well.

 

[Richard Hughson]

Thanks, the main we have is fairly baggy and no use for club racing so we are looking to replace it, how is your sail for control ability does it give good power?

 

[Tranona]

I have sold the boat (2015 Bavaria 33) now but had it for the last year or so of ownership and it was an enormous improvement over the original. The claim of battened sails is that you can add some sail area to the leech, but as you know control over shape of a furling sail is limited mainly to controlling draught with the outhaul and this is where Vectran is good because of the stability of the cloth - no real stretch which you get with most dacrons plus stability of the leech. Result for me was even better pointing ability and reduction in leeway.

You are already at a disadvantage adding a furling mainsail to a masthead rigged boat that is reliant on large headsails. The add on bit reduces sail area at the luff as well as the loss of roach so unlikely to be as good as a conventional sail on the same boat. What you can expect from a new sail is a good improvement on windward legs compared with what you have now. You don't say where you are based, but worth talking to Owain Peters at Kemps who designed and made my sail. He is very experienced in racing your type of boat and I am sure he will give you good advice.

 

[Richard Hughson]

Thanks again.
We are based in shetland so not too easy to go and see other boats or people face to face.
The boat came with the fuller already on it, thinking a new sail is cheaper than a new mast and sail

 

[Tranona]

Thanks again.
We are based in shetland so not too easy to go and see other boats or people face to face.
The boat came with the fuller already on it, thinking a new sail is cheaper than a new mast and sail

Is it actually an Easyreef addon? Unusual to put one on such a boat. If it is though you can easily take it off and go back to a conventional sail. Have you got a photo of it? I am a great believer in in mast on cruising boats, but on a more sporty boat like yours would prefer a slab reefed sail. As you will probably have to buy at a distance still worth talking to Owain. They send sails all over the place.

 

[Richard Hughson]

Not at the moment and the weather is terrible at the moment
It is definitely an add on behind the mast so will have to look more in depth when it’s off the boat for the winter.