Anybody have experience with a full batten mainsail?
I am getting down to having a new mainsail built and its one of the options I'm trying to decide on.
I'd prefer not to have to get a new track system because it costs half again the price of the new main, I'm not sure if a full batten main will give me more troubles reefing and raising than would be worth it. Currently my sail raises and falls smoothly as long as I keep the slot and slugs coated with mclube sailcoat, but it gets rough without it.
Also is there any appreciable upwind performance to gain with the full batten mainsail, or is it simply a matter of limiting flogging and stretch to preserve the sail over time?
I also find I'm overpowered sailing upwind in winds above 15-18 kts with the 110 jib, but rolling it up more than 20% caused it to be too full and it flogs and flaps easily. my current jib is in very very good condition but i think perhaps it is cut a bit too full, my issue is compounded by the fact that my rig is 7/8 fractional with inline spreaders and so no way to really tension the for-stay for higher winds. I'm considering having a flatter cut 85% jib for the windy days.
Any ideas or experience would be appreciated.
I really want to be able to make good head way upwind in 25 kts.
I didn't want to hijack Rick's track thread ...
I am getting down to having a new mainsail built and its one of the options I'm trying to decide on.
I'd prefer not to have to get a new track system because it costs half again the price of the new main, I'm not sure if a full batten main will give me more troubles reefing and raising than would be worth it. Currently my sail raises and falls smoothly as long as I keep the slot and slugs coated with mclube sailcoat, but it gets rough without it.
Also is there any appreciable upwind performance to gain with the full batten mainsail, or is it simply a matter of limiting flogging and stretch to preserve the sail over time?
I also find I'm overpowered sailing upwind in winds above 15-18 kts with the 110 jib, but rolling it up more than 20% caused it to be too full and it flogs and flaps easily. my current jib is in very very good condition but i think perhaps it is cut a bit too full, my issue is compounded by the fact that my rig is 7/8 fractional with inline spreaders and so no way to really tension the for-stay for higher winds. I'm considering having a flatter cut 85% jib for the windy days.
Any ideas or experience would be appreciated.
I really want to be able to make good head way upwind in 25 kts.
I didn't want to hijack Rick's track thread ...
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