On yachts with flexible 7/8 or 3/4 rigs, semi‑full‑batten mainsails are predominantly used. This batten configuration has also proven effective on boats with masthead or 9/10 rigs that are sailed mainly on light‑wind inland lakes.
Advantages:
Advantages:
- The semi‑full‑batten combination allows for designing fuller sails. Flexible, modern 7/8 or 3/4 rigs offer many trimming options that masthead and 9/10 rigs lack, enabling the mainsail to be trimmed full or flat as required.
- Improved light‑wind performance.
- Easier trimming, as the reduced number of full battens makes the sail less static.
- Any reverse curve that may appear in a fuller mainsail in stronger winds does not invert the lower batten.
- Diagonal creasing in the lower sail area during ultra‑light winds is avoided.
- Weight savings.
- Fewer expensive batten cars are required.