Planning for new sails

[Grace]

It looks as though winter projects will include replacing the main and mizzen sails on Grace. Current arrangement is the original spars, a Dacron sail (of uncertain weight material, but not light) with traditional limited length battens, two sets of reef points, and lazy jacks. I am considering full battens but would love to hear what others recommend based on experience with either the sloop or yawl Pilots. (Will keep the lazy jacks and likely go with just one reef, not two.) What downsides should I consider re: full battens? How does this potentially impact the hardware used to articulate the sail to the spars? All full battens or just a couple of them full? I will also be working with a trusted sailmaker and rigger locally (Maine).

[Grace]

I should add that this is for family coastal cruising in New England, with aspirations to sail to Nova Scotia, but that would be about the limit.  Additional variables of interest: What Dacron weight? Loose footed?

[1sae3b5ub3i2m]

Hi Grace, I have not selected sails for my boat before, and so can’t offer too much on suggestions. That said, my experience has been a great sail maker can dial in exactly on what you want for the type of sailing you will be doing. Gygax had a new rig in 1999 which increased its sail area for light winds, however we have a heavy, full footed, fully battened sail on a single reefing line system, with two reefs. I haven’t found any downsides on the heavier Dacron. We love the optionality it offers us in the variable conditions of the SF Bay. The bigger impact on our performance has been the jib, however. We run a smaller 100% jib in the summer, which having the sailmaker modify it a little, has given us a lot more control in heavy winds, while also maintaining shape without reefing.