Going from normal to fully battened sails on a typhoon

[ahdguy]

I getting to the point where I need new sails, Just wondering if it would be possible to "upgrade" my sails on my typhoon to fully battened affair, What needs to be taken into consideration?

Thanks in advance

[Schmalex]

On yachts a fully battened main produces more compression on the mast section, therfore more heavy duty cars are required at the end of each batten to spread the load. I guess this is the same on dinghies. Not insurmountable, but could end up adding a fair bit of weight aloft which will not be great for pitching moment. However, this is off-set by a much more predictable sail shape.

Edited by Schmalex on Wednesday 29th August 21:02

[Rum Runner]

With fully battened sails you can have a bigger roach (oval shape leach) which has better flow characteristics ( tip losses )than a straight triangle . The battens support the rounded edge which would otherwise flap i.e windsurf sail and open 60 .Also sail tends to last longer .
One issue with full battened sails is they are less forgiving , this is due to it being more wing shaped due to its stiffness and batten tension which creates permanent depth in the sail .

Edited by Rum Runner on Wednesday 29th August 21:31

[Nic Jones]

As Rum Runner says, fully battened sails are powered up constantly and are harder to depower than a 'standard' sail. It will last much longer though and won't deafen you flogging itself to death!