Vertical Battens & In-mast Furling Main (SO43DS)

[CycleSailor]

Jeanneau colleagues, I'm seeking your experiences with vertical battens in furling mainsails. The boat in question is an '02 SO43DS but I'm guessing other users' experiences are also pertinent.

As a longtime user of a full batten classic main in my previous boat, and with a performance cruising orientation, I'm considering vertical leech battens in the new main I'm shopping for. I started with the idea of full length verticals, but have decided I don't want either the expense or potential hassle. Reviewing posts here re new sails, it appears many of you have opted for vertical battens for the same reasons I'm considering them (additional roach/performance/etc).

My questions are: Have VB's given you problems in either unfurling, furling or reefing? Have you seen a performance improvement commensurate w/additional cost of VB's? Has there been discernible extra wear at the batten pockets or elsewhere due to the VB's? Would you do VB's again?

BTW, my mast is a Charleston Spar/Sparcraft & the slot will accommodate VB's. I'm looking at a cruising laminate/tri-radial main.

Thanks in advance for the benefit of your experience as I'm a relative newbie to these furling mains.

[Alexandria452]

I just had this discussion with my local sail maker. I have the same mast on a 2002 SO45.2. His comment was "they work 90% of the time ... the 10% of the time they jam, it can be nasty." He put them on other boats with Charleston masts, but not specifically on Jeanneaus. Obviously a very subjective feedback ...

[dolphinchaser]

I just talked with a sailmaker yesterday about a new main with vertical battens. I have a Sparcraft mast as well. He indicated that it is critical to stagger the battens so that when the sails rolls up there are no batten overlaps within the mast. He also said it is critical, when rolling up the sail, to have the boat dead square into the wind.

Another friend of mine put in vertical battens and experienced jamming. So mixed reviews.

More research needed for my boat, so please post whatever info you find too.

[electricmonk]

No experience with vertical battened furling mains, but had inmast non battened for 15 years, however I know a few people who have gone down the batten route.

In mast furling works very well while the sail is flat, as the sail stretches it becomes progressively more difficult to furl it without it snagging and in some cases jamming. In the end the only thing that will restore the system is a new flat mainsail.

The most sever case of jamming I have ever seen, with my own eyes was a brand new mainsail on a brand new Oyster Yacht being cut out of the mast with a boxcutter the day it was hoisted, a very expensive commissioning error!

The issue with vertical battens is that they must enter the mast slot vertically (parallel) as the sail furls or they will snag (what actually happens is they overlap (twist) inside the mast and take up too much space so the sail jams inside the mast), all that sounds quite logical until, as a competitive sailor you introduce some prebend to the mast to point up, add a knot or two and tension the forestay, in that configuration the chances of the battens entering the mast slot parallel to the mast slot is gone for ever.

so the conclusion is that even without the main stretching a bit here and there the furling system is compromised from the outset. and despite what they may tell you, exotic sail cloth can stretch up to 10%.

This account accords with the experience of my peers with vertical battens, they are fine until the sail goes out of shape or you tune the rig. Some have had success with them, but even then the sail has a short life due to the need for it to be flat.

A longer boom a slightly bigger main may be a better of use of your money, providing the mast can accommodate a larger sail.

[CycleSailor]

Thanks for the input and I may regret the decision, but I ordered a v/b main (and 135 genny) from Quantum. We spent quite a bit of time measuring, checking the slot width, etc. and assuring the battens won't overlap when furled. I'll report later.

On a related note, there's so much friction in the stock system that I'm on a mission to smooth things out--e.g. T-track & car mounted on the boom to replace the standard car/slot arrangement; Spectra furling line w/cover removed for the portion on the furling spool; beefier vang to better elevate the boom; and better furling blocks. We'll see if this combo of enhancements provides both higher performance and greater ease of use. Film at 11....

[kerridge]

I have a SO45.2 and have had a 135% cross cut genoa (Crusader Sails) and a vertical baton in mast furling main (Maxiroach)for the past 6 years. I have only had one minor mainsail jam when I inadvertently tried to furl the main when the kicker was released and the boom was at an angle. This was rectifieed by pulling the boom down parallel with the main sheet. Other than this, the furling main with VB's has been great. When furling, I always keep a little tension on the outhaul and this works well.
At the beginning of the season when the main is put in the mast by the sail loft, the two full length batons on the main have been inserted a bit too tight in the baton pockets, resulting in a kink along the leech. This is easily rectified by loosening the pocket velcro tab until the sail sets perfectly.
I have been delighted with both sails and the performance they provide. I will get another VB main when this one eventually needs replacing.