Fully Batterned Main On Westerley Griffon

[Guest]

I am planning to purchase a new main for my Westerley Griffon over the winter. A couple sail makers have suggested that I get fully batterned one.

What are the advantages/disadvantages and is it worth the extra £230?

Andrew T

 

[Twister_Ken]

Some of the pros

Sail doesn't flog, lasts longer
Sail shapes better, boat sails better
Usually can increase the roach to get a smidge more sail area high up, where it's most useful in lighter airs.
With lazy jacks, the sail stays on top of the boom when it is dropped

Cons.
Need to replace sail slides with batten cars, expensive.
Might need to put a track up the back of the mast, expensive
Battens are expensive, don't break them!
Main weighs more, more effort to hoist
Because sail doesn't flog, more difficult to depower it by easing away or luffing.
Batten pockets may chafe more on shrouds when squared off.

My next main will be f/b tho'.

 

[andrewhopkins]

Compromise

Ken has the plus and negatives right, the main minus being the special cars that need to replace the slides.

Two sailmakers ive spoken to suggested fully battened at the top and semi at the bottom allowing you to keep slides and still improve the performance/shape.

Worth thinking about.

 

[Boathook]

Re: Compromise

I have a fully battened main on a Cat. The batten cars have lugs that use the existing grove on the Kemp mast. What was fitted was a standard package supplied by Quaysails at Poole, Dorset. There is friction as the cars do not have roller bearings but I would quite happily replace it with the same as and when. The only problem is that the lazy jacks do not gather in the reefing lines!. It's all a comprimise mainly based on price.

 

[Guest]

Just the best thing

We got a fully battened mainsail for our Fulmar spring 2001. Notwithstanding the yard removing the old inmast furler behind the Kemp mast and replacing the slab reefing system, the cost has been within reason. The performance has exceeded all expectations. Being able to drop the sail into the lazy jacks and then zipping up the "Fast Pack" sail cover has made life a lot more certain than a troublesome furler. We have swept back spreaders, which do belly that bit of the sail off wind if the kicker isn't applied caefully. But your rig is a masthead so no problem! The cars fit perfectly into the Kemp mast and I can pull up the whole sail without needing the winch except for the very last tensioning.

You don't say what the exctra £230 includes but if it's any help I paid near £2400 for the sail and "Fast Pack" cover - and I'm very happy.