Batten Mystery

[Manny]

Went down to the boat today to get some work done. Much to my surprise when I got there, there was a nice breeze, so I went out for a little sail. When I sail by myself I will just roughly tie up the main sail when dousing it, then flake it nicely when I get back to the dock. Well, back at the dock I discover that one of the batten pockets had ripped and the batten was no where to be found. So I either lost it on my trip down to HDG or during todays sail. The thing is, both times I had the main up, it was sheeted in pretty tight. I would have thought that I would have noticed it falling, or at least it should have landed on the deck...Anybody else lose a batten and not know where it went?

 

[caguy]

I noticed mine was missing last month and no clue where it went.

The stitch that keeps them in was broken on the other one. I repaired that with a small zip tie. Thanks for reminding me that I need to pick one up. Frank

 

[Hogan]

The futile flight

I have seen a couple go fluttering down to the deep but usually it is just a flash that catchs my eye and aware until later that it was my batten waving goodbye. I have now sewn light cord into the end of each batten attaching it at the flap of the pocket. Captive now. Those things are too expensive to be replacing all the time.

 

[newly anonymous]

I saw one launch once...

...during a race. The boat in front of me tacked, and their second batten landed a full boat length behind them, almost hitting my boat. No one on board that boat noticed it because they were too busy cranking in the jib. Too busy trying to slam-dunk me. We were going to tack away, but it was so funny we just sat there laughing while we rolled them.

 

[seadaddler]

Velcro

On my 2001 Hunter they had flap over velcro holding all the battens on the end of the pockets.With the end velcro holding in the battens it was in real good so no waythey are coming out,maybe try something similar and they had tel-tails sewn on also.Nick

 

[Ray]

Barrel bolts eliminate loss problem.

A barrel bolt installed in the front of batten where it fits into the slug car stops losses totally. If you are an advanced sailor and, if moving the batten forward or aft for sail shape matters, then disregard the above. Our 38 came with them (Doyle sail with Bat Car system) and I installed them in every main since.They are available in most all hardware stores in the nut and bolt section in the boxes above the nut and bolt bins and under a buck each.Ray

 

[Manny]

Neat idea Ray

I like the barrel bolt idea but I have partial battens. Is there something similar that would work for partial battens?I sewed on a new pocket the other night. I just need to cut a new batten for it. I have some spare Ipe that I am going to use. Hopefully I'll get to test it out on Thursday.Manny

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Manny, If I'm not mistaken, wooden battens

are usually made out of ash 1 1/2" or so wide and tapered from about 1/4" to 1/8" or less at the inboard end. Fiberglass battens are also tapered and usually more so. I would think Ipe would be very stiff and heavy.Joe S

 

[Manny]

The fiberglass battens on my sail weren't tapered

They look like the flat stuff you buy at West Marine. Ipe if cut thin is not much different in weight or stiffness to what I already had in there. I'm not saying it is correct what I am doing, I'm just on a budget plus I just want to sail!Manny

 

[Joseph Shirley]

Go for it Manny

The better battens are tapered, but what you will have will work.Joe S

 

[Dan Johnson]

Manny...

I got caught in a squall in my day sailor just off the north side of Garret Island (been through the bridge yet?). I put the nose into the wind to keep from going swimming, looked up and saw the main shaking so violently that it shed the battens like porkypine quills! Learned to make my own replacements after that episode. Find Skelly's there in HdG--they'll fix the pocket and your batten needs.