How tight should they be in their pocket--for length? Particularly the angled (45*) for 'fat-top' sail? Very hard to insert as aprox 1+ inches project & must be pushed in along with the velcro holding strap, creating a bow in the sail. How prominent should that bow be?? Advice, please... Roger
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Not true Jim
Some sails are designed so that the battens force the sail into shape. Most dramatically on a windsurfer or Hobie cat but can also be seen on some full batten sails. I used to use the batten tensions on my Hobie 16 to power or depower the sail. Same thing with my windsurfers. Some battens are designed to extend the roach of a sail which puts tension on the material that causes a bow. Some battens are even designed with varying thicknesses to make them bow more near the mast. If your sails were flat, they would create no lift. Roger, your battens should be left as loose as possible(or out) when the sail is down. You decide how much bow to put into the sail based on the wind conditions. You want the sail to be flatter in stronger winds thus depowering the sail. Too much bow in these conditions will cause drag and make the boat difficult to balance. In lighter conditions, more bow will provide more lift making you go faster. This sounds like a fairly high performance boat. What is it? Tim R.
Some sails are designed so that the battens force the sail into shape. Most dramatically on a windsurfer or Hobie cat but can also be seen on some full batten sails. I used to use the batten tensions on my Hobie 16 to power or depower the sail. Same thing with my windsurfers. Some battens are designed to extend the roach of a sail which puts tension on the material that causes a bow. Some battens are even designed with varying thicknesses to make them bow more near the mast. If your sails were flat, they would create no lift. Roger, your battens should be left as loose as possible(or out) when the sail is down. You decide how much bow to put into the sail based on the wind conditions. You want the sail to be flatter in stronger winds thus depowering the sail. Too much bow in these conditions will cause drag and make the boat difficult to balance. In lighter conditions, more bow will provide more lift making you go faster. This sounds like a fairly high performance boat. What is it? Tim R.
TimR - Sorry, you don't know the boat here.
You are correct about battens in high performance wind surfers etc. but you don't want any bend in these battens. Roger's boat is a 38 year old G-23. I am speaking from first hand knowledge and experience.
You are correct about battens in high performance wind surfers etc. but you don't want any bend in these battens. Roger's boat is a 38 year old G-23. I am speaking from first hand knowledge and experience.
No Tim - my mistake not to mention boat.
I should have mentioned the boat involved right off the bat, then there would be no confusion.
I should have mentioned the boat involved right off the bat, then there would be no confusion.
Thanks & apology...
I should have IDd the boat. It is as indicate a Gram 23. And with a chopped-mast, not a high-performer. However, the sail designer of the modified sail might have wanted to squeeze all possible from what is there?? The advice to release the tension on the lowered sail should have been followed. But it seemed such a chore!! This caused the batten to twist & break. Now replaced with a heavier one from "Sail Bone" yesterday. They demonstrated the differing 'tappered battens' for better performance. So much to know...So many to teach... Thanks to ALL! Roger
I should have IDd the boat. It is as indicate a Gram 23. And with a chopped-mast, not a high-performer. However, the sail designer of the modified sail might have wanted to squeeze all possible from what is there?? The advice to release the tension on the lowered sail should have been followed. But it seemed such a chore!! This caused the batten to twist & break. Now replaced with a heavier one from "Sail Bone" yesterday. They demonstrated the differing 'tappered battens' for better performance. So much to know...So many to teach... Thanks to ALL! Roger
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