[Public-list] Do we need battens in the mainsail?

[Gordon Laco]

Hi Randy - 

You will likely get opinions other than mine - but here is what I think...

Battens and their pockets do require maintenance but I think that they are
very worth while.

The purpose of battens is to make the roach or convex cut of the leach or
trailing edge of the mainsail stand up and fly properly.  To eliminate
battens the leach of the sail has to be cut concave - this results in a
significant loss of sail area.

I am of the opinion that our boats are a little underpowered, so I feel that
having the ability to get as much power as possible out of the rig Mr Alberg
and Mr Hansen gave us is a valuable thing.  For those days when plain sail
is too much, well set up reefing should be easy and not be the cause of
damage to the main.

I just read your description of the rip again... What sort of reefing do you
have?

Gord #426 Surprise

PS a friend with a deadly telephoto lense on his digital camera took some
great shots of us in our Alberg reefing last November... If you like I can
send them to you off the list.





> Greetings, Folks,
>   In reading a bit about sails I see that for cruising, a number of people
> recommend getting rid of battens.  They cause chaf which, in the case of my
> sail last time around in heavy-ish winds, second reef, resulted in a 2' rip
> beginning at the inside of the batten pocket.  I'm pretty sure the batten
> contributed to weakening the fabric in that area.
> 
>   Have any of you simply removed your battens altogether?  How does it
> work?   Isn't it worth a try?
> 
> 
> Many thanks,
> 
> 
> Randy Katz
> #249
> Bellingham/Seattle, WA.
> 
> 
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