They're nicely crafted sails Paul. 

Did you increase the width of the tabling on the upper panels because they're what's left up after it gets really breezy or because there is more sail hanging from them (or both)?

Do you think it's necessary to seam the shelf feet from vertical panels?  I was thinking about making them along the roll of the cloth in one piece.

Inspiring stuff.

Hi Paul.

Thanks for the reply...

How did you get the shape in the sail panels ? Did you use some sort of CAD software or was it a more traditional method ? (Apologies if you've already published all the info. I haven't found it yet if you have)

I'm really taken with the whole package (Batten pockets/inline & shape) & am reasonably miffed I've already got my sails (normal shelf method).

I've had them up in the Forepeak for a few years & back then it was the only way to build them with UV resistant materials (according to Robin Blain & Chris Scanes anyway).

I'd like to modify the mainsail for better balance & sheet angle & then seeing your setup has got me thinking.. I really do like the idea of multiple small sails being held together that way.  Big sail & small space as you mentioned is a major plus point.

I actually mentioned building separate sail panels to Robin over a decade ago & received a very negative response, so didn't bother pursuing it. That mindset seems to have loosened up since...

Only minus point of having the battens that way is, there's not a great deal of clearance between the mast & the sail as the batten is now inline. Nothing's perfect in life is it.

Makes me wonder if it would be better not to have sail cloth against the mast at all & just have a gap/slot there...

Ha ! That's probably already been covered previously. I'm pretty out of date with the whole Junk thing as lost the will to live/dream for a few years.. lots of catching up to do.

Cheers

Neil

Hi Paul

That sail shape is very pleasant on the eye isn't it !

Why are the some of the panels a darker shade ? Was it done to highlight how the sail is shaped or are there other reasons ?

I also like the interlocking batten pocketlets. Tho they looks pretty time consuming to build.

Thanks for the Pics. Very Helpful

Cheers

Neil

Some photos showing Le Canard Bleu's new 45 deg shelf sails, showing shape and details. these photos were all taken in around 6kts of wind. You can see clearly how the sails inflate readily. This is very much due to the 45 deg shelves.

Note how clean the sails are at the leach and how no batten protrudes beyond the leach. Essential if you don't want your sheetlets hanging up on the battens.

Note how flat the run of the sail is in the leach area.

Note the build up of the leach and luff areas. Not only does it strengthen the sail it also helps these critical area's to stand given that apart from the weight of the sail, there is nothing to tension the luff.

Some creasing of the sail in these light winds is unavoidable as is the creasing where the sail presses against the mast.

You can also clearly see how the individual panels are joined together via the battens and alternating batten pockets.