Doug and fellow M-ers I've been very happy with my full-batten main. I bought a full suit of sails for the 2000 season: tanbark main and jib, tiny white storm jib (because the jib has reef points) and asynch spinnaker. And I have no regrets. I do have some concern about wear at the luff end of the battens, but am not seeing any problems so far.
The main seems to have a deep draft even though I adjusted it once or twice for a flatter shape. There is a velcro flap that keeps the battens in the pocket and allows more or less batten tension to control sail shape. I haven't made further changes because boat moves very well just as it is, thank you. There is a lot of fullness along the boom. My grandfather was noted for his light weather sailing, and had a light mainsail made for his Thistle with a full main and a "shelf" along the boom. He may not have been the first, but locally it was known as the "Bridgman Pocket" after him, George Bridgman. I did learn to secure the batten pocket with something more than velco. The first season I lost a couple of battens when the velcro opened up, probably when the flap caught on the topping lift. Hard to imagine loosing a full length batten and not noticing, but it happened twice. That sail fullness follows with the jib, too. Conventional wisdom says to keep the jib as flat as possible when beating in a good breeze. But experience tells me that Storm Petrel performs better upwind with the jib eased to allow some curve in the foot. She still points as well as any boat I have sailed with. I guess each set up (boat and sails) is unique. I don't know whether full battens have anything to do with it, but I haven't felt a need for a downhaul. That's my .02 for now. Any questions? Happy Holidays Bill Riker M15 - Storm Petrel -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Doug Kelch Sent: Wednesday, December 15, 2004 9:17 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats Subject: Re: M_Boats: New Boat on Order The quote below is from From North Sails North University Trim A book you can buy from North Sails on racing sail trim. Full Battens improve both the performance and the racing life of main sails. Full battens change some of our control and trim techniques and they generally make mainsail trim easier. Full battens eliminate some of our control over draft position. The battens taper influences draft position, and luff tension has less impact. At the same time, the battens prevent the draft from moving out of position, so our need for control is diminished. We can still pull the draft forward with extra luff tension, but the propensity for the draft to move aft with mast bend is reduced. Tapered upper battens give us a sail with self correcting draft position. As the sail loads up and the draft starts to drift aft the battens soft forward section bends to hold the draft forward. . While you are at it, make sure they (sic the battens) are tapered. It is worth the additional cost of tapered battens. In short they are a good choice for most people interested in boat speed. I hope Bill Riker will let us know how he likes his full batten main. Thanks Doug Kelch Seas the Day --- "John L. Gonzalez" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I visited the Montgomery factory today and placed an > order for a new M-15 > (628) with Bob. I ordered a dark blue hull with > white topside and opening > portlights. Bob expects to deliver the boat in > mid-January or so. My wife, > kiddies, and I can't wait. > > Aside, I hadn't seen an M-17 before; it's a big, > comfortable boat, and what > a great cockpit it's got. > > I saw in today's Digest that folks recommend a full > batten and loose foot on > the M-15 main. I'll ask Bob if I can get those on > my main. Anything else > that I should request, now? > > The blocks of foam floatation under the cockpit > aren't the prettiest, and > look like they'll get beat up over time. Do folks > replace them with foam > "pool noodles" or something similar or do without? > > Thanks for your help! > > Sincerely, > John > _______________________________________________ > http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats > __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Send a seasonal email greeting and help others. Do good. http://celebrity.mail.yahoo.com _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats
