The current trend seems to be to trim the mainsail with battens. On multihulls the mainsails have slats to make hold the horizontal width of the sail and are distributed from the masthead to the boom. This permits better sail control, especially up high and offers more power by increasing the roach. In addition the sail flutter is minimized. The only drawback is that it must be mounted on runners (bearing if possible) for effortless hoisting and lowering; an accessory which may seriously damage the budget. For racing, helmsmen prefer the standard sail, it is lighter and allows more settings. For older sailing vessels, on which the backstay is often the roach, we may also choose a partially slatted mainsail (semi-battened.)
