[C320-list] Full vs. partial batten mainsails

[Steve Weinstein]

 I have a Doyle full-batten main, loose footed, with the Doyle stack-pack and lazy jacks on Vega.  I like the performance of the sail, especially when the wind kicks up over 15knts.  One of the upper battens is just long enough to hang up on the backstay in light air and needs a little coaxing to pop through.  But with a little breeze, it tacks through nicely.  The stack-pack and lazy jacks make stowing it easy.  For club racing, we drop the lazy jacks and roll up the stack-pack bag and tie it to the boom, which works out nicely.  Easy to re-deploy.
Steve WeinsteinVega 2000 C320 #722

    On Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 01:02:39 PM EDT, Ferris Wills via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:  
 
 Hi,

I have a North, full batten, fixed footed main that I recently re-rigged with two single-line reef points and a custom stack pack. The stack pack install was an opportunity to re-rig the existing lazy jacks.

The net result is much improved, safer sail handling and no more futzing with a main sail ties and cover (yeah!). I’m very happy with it in our windy SF Bay conditions.

Thx,
Ferris (Argo, #505)

Typos by iPhone

> On Jul 6, 2023, at 8:37 AM, Jack Brennan via C320-list <c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> So I’m getting ready to splurge on a new mainsail and sorting through my options. I see I can buy a full-batten main that feeds into the boom in the usual way or a partial-batten main with a loose foot.
> 
> What is everyone’s experience/opinion on the choices?
> 
> I currently have partial battens and a loose-footed main, which I like because I can give the main a bit of a belly in light air and power it up.
> 
> I also have a Dutchman system, which I’m ambivalent about because it periodically causes chafe and rips in the main, such as when the Dutchman eyelets come loose on the sail. I used  to have lazy jacks on another boat, which were helpful but also caused their own problems.
> 
> So, also, which sail-control system works best with your favorite choice? Or, with a full-batten main, is it possible to do away with the system altogether?
> 
> I should also say that I’m limiting myself to the main online vendors that sell ready-made Catalina sails. The local guys just cost way too much for the sailing I do. Also, I keep hearing that many lofts buy Asian sails these days and justify the mark-ups with modifications that may or may not be useful for the average sailor.
> 
> Jack Brennan
> Sonas, 1998 Catalina 320
> Tierra Verde, Fl.
> 
> 
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>