Curtis wrote:

It's just an idea that popped into my head and I don't know if it's a good one or not. I think if it did anything at all (besides add a little unwanted wind drag and turbulence) it might help keep the upper panels in line, so to speak.

To keep it from knocking chunks out of the mast, it would be necessary to extend the lengths of the yard and battens. I'm not sure if it would interfere with reefing, but it may be something that control lines (various parrels? mast lift? halyard?) could get snagged on.

Of course, the pins or bolts would allow rotation, and of course, it would only be used on the fanned upper panels.

All comments welcome.

I can't really see the point of doing what you suggested. I have had two different junk sails now and the sail itself has kept the panels in position, as it were. I did need to use luff hauling parrels of the fan shaped sail but they were less complex than what you are suggesting, and allow targeted control at one, or a selection of multiple panels. Also with that plate connecting the yard and some battens it would probably prevent everything sitting down nicely on the sail bundle when the sail is dropped.

Good to try and think outside the square though to try and find different solutions.