What is a full roach mainsail?

High Roach Mainsail High Roach Mainsails are designed to provide full power in light air and reaching, but twist easily upwind when overpowered. These fully featured sails are designed for perfect integration with your luff car and reefing systems.

Do all sails have battens?

Battens are absolutely needed on any sail that has any positive roach. This means sailcloth that is over the direct line between the head and the tack. Any such sailcloth cannot be tensioned by sail trim, and will flap uncontrollably when sailing unless the area is stiffened with battens.

Why is that shape better for sailing?

Efficient sail shape will also make your boat easier to handle (and therefore more fun) in all conditions. Like the wings of a plane, sails are three-dimensional airfoils. Their shape is carefully designed to impart lift and move a boat effectively on all points of sail.

What is a fully battened mainsail?

On a full-batten mainsail, all the battens run the entire width of the sail, from leech to luff, usually parallel to the boom. Partial battens just run a few feet in from the leech, typically perpendicular to the straight line between the head and the clew.

How long do mainsails last?

Ultimately, a better way to think of the structural life of your sails is in terms of hours of use: a reasonably well-treated woven polyester sail that is maintained regularly will last 3500-4000 hours.

Can you sail without battens?

You will destroy the leech of the sail pretty fast if you sail without battens. Just take them out before you roll the sail, and put them back in when you go sailing again. 2. Yes, you need the Radial bottom section for the Radial sail.

What is a fully battened sail?

What is the best sail type?

Complete Overview of Sail Uses

Sail	Type	Wind angle
Spinnaker	downwind	90°–180°
Gennaker	downwind	75°-165°
Code Zero or screecher	light air & upwind
Storm Trysail	mainsail