New mainsail time

[tyce]

A new main is being ordered this week for my boat, i want it to perform brilliantly for racing and be well up to cruising around the coast, but mainly racing.
I fancy a fully battened job do you reckon this is the best solution, and if i did go for a fully battened, since my boat is only 27 foot would i get away with normal sliders rather than cars.
or is there a better sail to be had, dont really want a laminate due to costs.
also any recomendation for makers, i am thinking goacher especially as he is local and will measure my rig and its easy to sort any probs.
any suggestions most welcome

 

[SimonMackenzie]

I have just replaced the mainsail on my MGC27. I had an old North Dacron fully battened which had stretched and was impossible to flatten. In the end went for a Dacron from Owen sails and have what they call 2+2- two full length battens at top and two long but not fill length lower down. Not quite as easy to flake as the old sail but easier to power/depower.

 

[bobgoode]

32 foot 250 sq ft main...HYDE sail...fully battened with sliders. No problem as long as you take the time to set the batten tension correctly.

 

[simonfraser]

if you have trouble getting it down using sliders only, you could always rig a downhaul from the head of the sail, worked on mine

 

[michael_w]

Get it made from a Pentex laminate, not soggy old Dacron. Lighter, better shape retention, long life, extra cost is minimal.

 

[PeteCooper]

You are in Cumbria so talk to Steve Goacher. He is an excellent sailmaker and gives good advice.

 

[KINGFISHER 8]

Does anybody use a loose footed main on a modern boat? - I believe these are becoming fashionable for cruising ... any reports on how effective this system might be?

 

[yoda]

Go to Peter Sanders in Lymington, you won't be disappointed. He is head and shoulders above any other sailmaker I know of.

Yoda