[C320-list] Full vs. partial batten mainsails

[Christian]

Jack,
I sail on L. Michigan.  I have a dutchman, with fully battened sails, but
no loose foot.  For the type of conditions I typically sail in, I would
highly recommend fully battened sails.  Others I know who have loose foot
mains swear by that too.

One thing to note on fully battened sails, my topping lift line often gets
hung on the back edge of a batten about mid way up, the batten nearest my
aft dutchman line (I have a 2 line dutchman system).  I suspect the hang up
is mainly due to the dutchman line.  It mainly happens when we initially
raise the sails, and on some tacks.  It's easy to fix, just loosen the
topping lift and give a good whip on the loose line, then tighten the
topping lift again.  It's only a mild annoyance, but something I have to be
mindful of, and will affect sail shape.  But not annoying enough for me to
ditch my dutchman, which I actually love.

I know 3 sailors I sail with that went asian and ordered from Rolly
Taskers.  They have been very pleased with the price, results, and service;
should you need a pointer to an asian maker.

Christian 1994 C320 #138 "Canuck" Monroe Harbor, Chicago, IL

On Thu, Jul 6, 2023 at 12:19 PM Steve Weinstein via C320-list <
c320-list at lists.catalina320.com> wrote:

>  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.
> >
> >
> > Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for
> Windows
> >
>
>