Mainsail

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richtefo
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Joined: 5/28/17
Posts: 3
Mainsail

I have a 2001 Catalina 36 MK II with the original main. Has anyone
replaced it with a fully battened main?

Channel Islander's picture
Channel Islander
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Joined: 10/8/11
Posts: 378

Hi Richtefo, welcome to the forum.

Please try searching the past discussions using the tool at upper right. For this topic you'll find lots of info. Just input "battened main".

I also encourage you to set up your profile sig with the basic info on your boat. It helps folks see what your environment is when you ask a question, and you avoid having to always type it in.

And since you asked a direct question: yep, lots of people use a full-battened mainsail.

Nick Tonkin
*Former* Website Administrator, C36/375IA
*Former* owner, C36 tr/fk #255, Santa Barbara, CA

richtefo
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Joined: 5/28/17
Posts: 3

I did a search-not much there. If you have a fully battened main is it easy to raise? On my old boat I had a large sail and Harken batten cars. Also is "lee helm" the same as weather helm?

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Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 385

We have a fully battened main sail on our MK I. We also use the 'TIDES' Sail track to make it much easier to raise and lower the main sail. We have also 'loose footed' our main as well.

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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bakerha
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Joined: 7/23/10
Posts: 267

We also have a MK1 and a full battened main.  I think it is more difficult to hoist than some I have dealt with but it's not that bad.  We also installed the Tides track and car system and roller sheeves at the mast head to improve that.  Now if I stand at the mast, I can hoist the main to the top without winching.  I use the winch only to tension it.
Lee Helm and Weather helm are the opposite and Lee is undesirable in my opinion.

_____________
Harold Baker
S/V Lucky Duck
Duncan Bay Boat Club
Cheboygan Michigan - Lake Huron
1989 C-36 mkI TR/WK M25XP

William Miller
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Joined: 10/4/08
Posts: 294

I also have full baten and the track system with roller bearings but what made the most different was replacing the main halard with the correct diameter line some one on the forum said to check the diameter their po had installed too large of lines. What a different 

Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1

Catboat Willy's picture
Catboat Willy
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Joined: 12/22/14
Posts: 385

Bill,
 What size & type halyard line did you find works the best in that application ?
We also found that we generally get a better sail shape now that we have 'loose footed' the main.

Bill Dolan 1990 Catalina C-36 MKI - Hull #1041  'Williwaw'
Std. Rig, Walk Through, Wing Keel
M35, Oberdorfer Conversion,
Home Waters; Charlotte  Harbor & The Gulf Islands of Florida
'You are never out of work if you own a boat'

 

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Parsons
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Joined: 6/2/16
Posts: 95

I had the original Catalina sails with full battens.  I'm replacing them this year (not delivered yet, so no chance to try them yet) with a loose-footed full batten Dacron tri-radial sail.  The full battens allows you to get a better sail shape easier, and that's important for me.  The only downside I've heard is that if you have lazy-jacks, it is harder to raise sails if you're not dead into the wind.  I've not experienced that problem personally.

Question on weather- / lee-helm already answered.

Halyards are 120' long.  I replaced mine last season with New England Ropes VPC 10mm (3/8") with breaking strength 6,500 lbs, and am very pleased with the results.  They cost me about $225 each.  I think that good halyards are a wise investment for both performance and safety reasons. Remember, you occasionally use them to hold up people!  When replacing sails, I suggest it's a good idea to always replace the halyards and sheets as a precaution.  BTW: winter is a great time to replace lines as there are many sales starting now.  For example, this week Annapolis Performance Sailing (​http://www.apsltd.com/) is having a boat show sale. There's no hurry as they have several "line sales" during the winter months.

John Parsons
"Water Music" 1999 Catalina 36 Mk II - Hull 1771
Tall Rig, Fin Keel
Bay City, MI, USA

William Miller
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Joined: 10/4/08
Posts: 294

I used 3/8 warp speed All the new lines are much stronger than when our boats were built

Bill Miller
S/V Lorraine
Pacific Northwest,Sound Sound
Grapeview,Wa
1990 Mk1

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pkeyser
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Joined: 5/18/13
Posts: 659

From my experience, a full batten mainsail is great for shape control, but the battens do hang up on the lazy jacks if you are not pointed into the wind when raising or lowering. Sometimes, when pointed into a strong wind, sail flogging would snag the lay jacks... can be a challenge if you are singlehandling in rough water.

Paul & Wendy Keyser
"First Light"
Rye NH
2005 C36 MKII #2257
Wing, M35B

chic
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Joined: 2/13/08
Posts: 88

Look at the Mack you tube video on Mack Packs. Our Mack Pack has retractable lazy jacks so that the battens don't get hung up on battens.  More than happy to quote anyone on one. 
Chic Lasser
Tech Ed MkII
Past Commodore and VC c36ia
Sales Rep Mack Sails and Rigging Great Lakes

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