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Catalina direct loose foot main good review

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premodco
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/26/2004 : 22:42:24

I just purchased a full batten, loose foot from Catalina Direct. Just a few observations.

1. It does not snag on the backstay..not even close, not even if raised all the way to the mast head. I have an 85 standard rig but I do not see why that would make a difference. I do think the leach is fuller and is closer to the backstay than the old one, but it does not touch the backstay at all.

2. It is a couple of inches longer than the orig main, so the boom sits lower..maybe 2"...at the mast. Not really a deal and does not seem to affect the biminy any...maybe the angel is different and the boom is anged upward more..I do not know.

3. The full battens keep the sail form luffing...nearly impossible to back wind the main with the jib...definitely better sail control.

4. As for the loose foot performance, can't say yet. I will admit that the sail has a uniform shape from head to the foot. And when running, you can slacken the outhaul and the sail fills out like a balloon. It is hard to compare because my old sail was really shot

5. Sail seems well made and compared to the factory sail, is better reinforced. I did get mine from Catalina Direct...you may want to e mail me if you are going to purchase one. premodco@aol.com

adam starr

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 04/27/2004 : 10:00:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The full battens keep the sail form luffing...nearly impossible to back wind the main with the jib...definitely better sail control. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"> This illustrates one important difference between mainsails with normal battens and with full battens that I had never thought about. The full battens don't prevent the sail from luffing, or prevent the jib from backwinding the main. They prevent the luff of the mainsail from lifting or fluttering when those things are happening. If the sails are out of trim, they will still luff and will still be backwinded. You just won't be able to see it in the usual way, by looking for the luff of the mainsail to lift and flutter. Your new sail probably has telltales attached about one foot aft of the luff. If not, you should attach telltales there. They will let you visualize how the air is actually moving across the surface of the mainsail.

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Blueye
1st Mate

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USA
26 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2004 : 12:58:14

I purchased my new Main form Catalina Direct for my 81 Standard. I will receive it around May 12th. I appreciate the performance information. I was not aware of possible issue with snagging the backstay. I am interested in the rigging required for the Loose foot being my old main had the rope foot. What is recommended? I am aware of the internal boom rigging.

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2004 : 13:51:11

Steve - I have a full-batten main from Doyle on my 1980 std rig. Slightly enhanced roach, flat cut for our typically windy conditions. I have several sets of battens and tend to sail with the heaviest on most days (over about 12 knots). Looking at the luff of the sail, there is no problem telling if the sail is backwinded or luffing. Although the rippling of the fabric is subdued, it occurs. I found that when I switched from the partial batten main to full battens, it took a little while for my eye to adjust but after a few days it was no problem.

Justin

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Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2004 : 17:42:48

Is the loose footed full batten main from Catalina Direct made by Ullman, or another manufacturer?

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premodco
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2004 : 07:51:35

Mine was made by Ullman

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2004 : 10:55:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Looking at the luff of the sail, there is no problem telling if the sail is backwinded or luffing. Although the rippling of the fabric is subdued, it occurs. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Coincidentally, yesterday I was on a Pearson 31 (very nice boat) with a single-reefed full battened mainsail and a 90% jib in about 30 knots of wind, and you could certainly see the sail luffing and being backwinded in those conditions, but in more normal wind strengths, the battens resist the luffing and backwinding of the sail. I'm a big advocate of having tell tales on all sails, but it seems to me that they are especially helpful on a full battened mainsail.

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2004 : 11:32:09

oops - my last post was meant as an FYI - not an endorsement of sailing without telltales.

I agree - telltales for all. For a while I had cut up pieces of audio tape all over my sails so I could see how the air flows. Neat experiment and if I ever get all the tape residue off the sails I'll be happy again.

Justin

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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts

Response Posted - 04/29/2004 : 19:59:17

I'm entirely satisfied with the CD (Ullman) full battened, loose footed mainsail which I purchased and used all last season without experiencing any problems whatsoever. One of the benefits of the full battened design is that it lessens flogging which is a major cause of mainsail damage. For the kind of sailing that most of us are likely to do, rather than high level racing or the kind of cruising that the Pardeys are known for, I think that the loose footed full battened sail is an excellent choice.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.