Batten and intermediate car spacings

[Ambler]

Hi Ben 5 i recall, but i am laid up with a chest infection that has knocked me flat. It maybe a few more days before i can look at the main for you

[Kestrahl]

The general rule of thumb for dacron cruising sails is, Luff over 14m - 5 battens, luff under 14m 4 battens.
More battens will better support the shape if the cloth unstable - think hobie cat 16.

[Snowpetrel]

^^ Thanks Kestrahl, seems like my rig with a 14.4m P is pretty close to the cut off point. I guess I have to decide if is the extra weight, and cost is worth it for me at the moment. Fortunately it is an old sail (but lightly used) that I plan to add battens to. Thinking to go with four this time, since the hardware is set up this way, and the top batten needs to be long enough (1.5m) to clear the lower spreaders. I have another main that I can rebuild with 5 battens in the future.