Ideal Mainsail Arrangement

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Capt_Scarlet

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We have decided to remove a jamming Kemp Reefin in-mast (add-on) reefing system.

Our current thinking is to have a new main, lazy jacks and stack-pack type sail bag.

Boat is a Moody 34 which needs a bit of wind to get going. We sail with toddler crew so easy reliable sail handling is a must.

We are considering a fully battened main, but have been advised that a more sophisticated track/car arrangement is needed up the mast, rather than conventional slugs.

What are the merits (or not) of a fully battened main?
 
From my perspective (using a fully battened main) adv's are:

1) Does not flog as much therefore sail last longer
2) Sail holds its shape better when windy
3) You don't get the weak points where the front of a short batten meets the middle of the sail
4) Easy to drop (head to wind, dump the halyard and it self flakes!)

Disadv's:

1) Increased chaff from shrouds etc
2) More expensive (esp if you get the carrs - which I would highly recommend from my experience)
3) Doesn't de-power as easily as a semi battened main (only a problem if your not as confident in sailing when overpowered).

Just some thoughts - I'm sure others will have their thoughts and feelings.

Jonny
 
Sums it up pretty well.

One point to note is that we don't have the fancy ball bearing cars on our fully battened main and it goes up and down without any problems. In fact it self packs usually down to the last three or four feet if you flake the haliard down to allow it to run freely first. I am aware that on some boats the fancy batten cars seem to be essential.

Perhaps we are just lucky with ours. (We inherited the fully battened mainsail with the boat)
 
My new to me, 37 footer came with fully battened main, lazy jacks, stack pack boom bag and ball bearing track cars. It's fantastic. Release the halyard and the main is down and flaked into the bag in only a few seconds. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
If you do go for carrs - some need a new track rivetting on the mast (expensive) - others will use your existing track. Mine are Frederikson and use the original mainsail track on the mast.
I've no doubt they cost a fortune (ours bought by the original owner!) as new balls to put in them (lost a couple) were 74p each (circa 60 per carr and we have 12 carrs!)

Jonny
 
Cannot knock the first three replys you have had, but I have a F B main with less than great cars, they stick, so I miss the ability to take a reef in off the wind, as I could on my old 44ftr, normal main. But with good cars??? I must admit though the additional power from the FB main is dramatic, plus with a young, family crew, the lack of flogging noise may be a big plus. Bill.
 
The ball bearing cars are the dogs b**llocks with a FB main, but they cost the Earth. Tallk to Paul Austin at Hyde sails. He set me up with a new 290 sq ft FB main using sliders and, once I found the right lubricant, I would go back and get another. Use a light dab of teflon grease on the slider before hoisting first time. Works like lightning up and down.
 
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We have decided to remove a jamming Kemp Reefin in-mast (add-on) reefing system.

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Looks like you've made the decision but:

Do you know why it is/was jamming? Are you sure the mast is dead straight vertically?

Worth checking before spending big money.... mine started jamming, discovered mast not straight, straightened, jam gone.

Actually, the mast isnt quite straight yet, and the jam hasnt quite gone, but I can deal with it. Once I get the mast straight, the jam will go.
 
We had a full batten main on a 30 footer with just batten sliders - not BB cars or anything fancy - generally worked fine- dropped straight into the lazy jacks. Need to watch the battens don't snag the lazyjacks going up too.

Only 1 problem - when we got caught out once after running for hours before a strengthening wind and turned to windward we couldn't heave to and depower the main enough to drop it easily. Had to go to the mast and fight it down. That was the effect of the full battens keeping an aerofoil shape in the top of the main at all times.
 
I have plain sliders, no cars, in original track.
Works fine if you stay haed to wind, or close to it when hoisting, reefing or dropping. Also, slackening the backstay to minimise mast curvature helps a lot. Wiouldnot be without FB main and stackpak.
 
All good posts but pretty well confirm my point that unless the cars are frictionless, it,s impossible/v hard to pull a reef down off the wind becos of the compression on the battens, the sail is so good!!! My fb Main came with the boat, like everything else! the cars were the cheapest, when I am in Coruna, I will go to my favourite lady sailmaker, get her to service the sail and give me her opinion of the cars. The prob is it,s the original Procter spar, with no "flat" beside the track. Bill
 
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In the boats I've owned and had dealings with the mainsail life has been extended by so much that the extra expense of the gear might be worth it.

Best wishes
Michael Storer

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I think you are right Mike I will pursue the improved cars route, Bill.
 
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