Battens with a twist...

[fox islander]

A few weeks ago I packaged my mainsail off to Sail Care for some "remodeling". When I removed the battens I noticed that the two longer ones (about 8' and 6' long), we're quite twisted. one twists through 90 degrees, the other through 270 degrees. I placed both battens on my garage floor covered with a piece of wood and loaded up with my kid's free weights. After two weeks of this load there is no noticable change...as soon as I pulled the wieghts off they sprang back to the twist. Does anyone have a method of fixing this?

-much thanks

 

[Ken Prichard]

I don't think you can but try asking these guys:

http://www.rbsbattens.com/

They're probably as knowledgeable as you'll find and they won't mind answering your questions.

 

[sailingdog]

I would replace the battens. There is a good chance that the laminate they are made of is damaged now and may crack if stressed. If the batten breaks, it may tear the sail.