Thanks for the reminder! I can be forgetful.
I’ve checked luff when properly reefed (and luff tight) and a little surprised at how little force there was pulling track away from mast. A tight luff seems to spread force over multiple slides.
Joe -
Thanks for the important reminder - When reefing: 1. Tack 2. Clew 3. Choker
Ernie A. in Toronto
I sold a two full batten sail when I bought Mascouche and bought a large tapered batten sail to replace it in 2006. It took Mascouche to a win in the 2006 Rendezvous and an overall win in the 2014 Rendezvous at the RCYC. Remember the sail on a Nonsuch is a genoa in reality and needs the sail to billow to drive her forward going to windward and sheeted to the gunwale and not pinned in to the central block on the cockpit combing. To keep skippers, riggers and sail designers focused on that, we should rename the sail a “gen-main or genmain”. Full battens can be made to work by tapering them as they approach the mast. They make for tidy sail drops and less wear and tear due to flogging.
In the next few weeks I will be experimenting with battens on my standing gaff rig including no battens, partial battens and tapering the full battens that came with the gaff sail.
Meanwhile, I am having my two wishbone sails serviced by the North loft here. They will be for sale when North have checked them out. They are surplus to my requirements due to adopting the standing gaff rig. I won’t ever be going back to the wishbone rig.
John Newell
Mascouche 26C #1
Toronto
Do you loosen the chocker first then raise the topping lift prior to dropping the sail? I have found that heavy thick halliards will counter-balance the sail at about the half way mark. Best to use flexible low strech halliard for good results. One reason I sold a two full batten sail with s/s slides was the issue of the slides binding on the s/s track. Bronze cars or Tides sail track will produce better results when using full battens.
John Newell
Mascouche 26C #1
Toronto
Thanks for all the input. After much deliberation I decided to go with partial battens because I know how they work and full battens seemed a leap for me.
My sail is now finished and I’ve made the final payment. It should arrive on my doorstep next week some time.
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay B.C.