(From Rolf Nilsen in another thread)
John,
on a totally wild tangent: You mention fully battened jibs as a performance enhancement. Why are fully battened jibs better than partially battened jibs? Full battens make the sail more stable shape wise, but how do you alter shape on the jib to changing conditions with a fully battened jib? Besides, I know firsthand how much work finding the right battens can be. I am not certain if fully battened jibs are faster over the complete windrange now that we have selftackers on most performance boats.
Sorry for the rhetoric and for jumping on your argument with both feet in what is a totally different discussion.. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> It's just me having a pet theory that fully battened jibs vs partially battened jibs have not been thoroughly tested.
I haven't made the jump to a full-batten jib for F18 yet, though it has been on my mind. While I am not sure I am one of the people that can take atvantage of incremental improvements in design, I am interested in hearing what others have to say on the issue.
For anyone who needs background - the F18 class this year did away with the jib roller furler rule and allowed for the use of full-batten jibs. Most every owner I have talked with is considering making the change, but I haven't seen a new sail on anyone's boat in the US yet.
Is Rolf right about the jib sail and batten design for the F18 being in its infancy? Many classes already and have for years had fully-battened jibs, though the majority of those are much bigger than the 80-90% jib on the F18. Any of you F18s outside the US using the new jib?
(Thanks, Rolf - good topic. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)
