Sail Battens

I like that...so it applies to the semi-crab as well? My bilge feeling has me thinking it (jib) cannot hurt, especially if it is 150%er like some of the large asymmetrics and I never thought of going that far until I read Petros' and gggguest's explanations (thanks). As Charlie McCarthy (or was it Mortimer Snerd), "it pays to be ignorant," (me) and so I dream...just wait until it gets warm here...yum!

 

Overlapping jibs are best avoided as they are relatively inefficient, awkward and twitchy to set, and prone to dumping the boat on its side if you aren't fast enough with the release.

 

I had one on my 110 and loved it cause it turned the already speedy keeler into a rocket, relatively speaking...in a blow, that boat would run with the C-boats (scows) easily. Had to rig with Hexaratchet to manage easily, especially sailing single, but it worked well.

But, I just might keep to my own advice, "keep it simple," as you imply, thanks.

Need warmness---

 

Mr. gggGuest and Mr. Petros, I have a lingering question.

Consider the rig here is a long yard hung from a stubby mast and yard is anchored near the bottom of the stubby, where the gooseneck is attached.

The yard is bendy and de-powers is heavy pressure and strong gusts...sail forms a semi-crab claw shape, as noted in the sketch below...and the Malibu Outrigger underway.

The question:

If the sail has say a 13 to 14 inch luff round, why would a leech roach, and therefore, battens be needed - if no roach, no battens?

Just trying to cover all my bases.

I am inclined to order a 4-5oz main, no headboards; 23' foot luff, 15 foot foot (20.5" leech so near 172 sq ft.).

Luff grommets for lacing with a 10" luff round; no leech roach (no battens).

Sail will be free footed. No vang; traveler limited to line length maybe no traveler...in any case aft.

I must admit I might play with the yard's flexibility.

 

Need, well, nothing is compulsory. A triangular sail will work perfectly happily. Thousands of yachts round the world demonstrate that. A bit more than triangular sail with a curved luff should work a tad better than a triangular one, give the sail short battens in the leech it will be a little bit better still, give it full length battens and a decent roach profile it will be more efficient yet. Different sailcloths will make just as much difference: its a big subject.
Of course the more sophisticated and efficient you make the rig, the more it will cost, and the high end sailcloths tend to be more hassle to handle than the simpler stuff... For every craft you just have to figure as decent a compromise as you can for your needs...

 

Mr. gggGuest, much thanks...will be like you suggest...

 

battens will hold the shape of the sail better, you want more curvature forward and you want the trailing edge flatter. this can be done without batten on your proposed design, but the fabric will eventually stretch and lose its shape, with battens it will hold the shape longer. And as pointed out above, adding a fuller roach would both give you more area and give it a more efficient shape (less drag than with a pointy triangle peak).

Your choice, keep it simple, or improve the sails performance with battens. the battens also help prevent it from flogging in rough conditions, and allows you to better reef and control it when the winds picks up.

 

Petros, yes, your guys are correct. And simple, in long run, seems battens are called for and will comply...have nifty plan in mind that will accomplish both objectives. Much thanks for the good advice.