Battens

[toddco]

Hello All,
I've been looking at the sails for my O'Day 20 and the battens are missing. I measured the batten pockets and it looks like 14", 20" and two 22" for the lengths. The widths all look like they can take 1". I then went to Sail Rite's web site and see that the batten material comes in 5/8" as well as 1". How much extra room should be left in the pockets? I can cut the battens shorter and I can probably rip the width down too, but I'd rather get the right sizes to start. If anyone else has an ODay 20, how wide are the battens 5/8" or 1"?

Thanks for any info!

Todd

 

[Joe11688]

The battens in my Mainsail are 5/8" and the batten tips are are 3/4". I know that the batten pockets on my sail are a lot wider than 3/4" but the opening on the leech of the sail where you insert the battens into the pockets is not much wider than the batten tips. I would just buy the battens and tips and just cut them to fit. Check the width of the pocket opening and figure out the width needed for your batten tips and order accordingly. You could also take the sail to a sail maker in your area and have him make them up for you. After you get your battens made it's a pretty good idea to write down the widths and lengths of each one and keep a record on hand just in case you lose a batten you can make it up yourself.
Joe

 

[toddco]

Thanks Joe!,
I did smile at the thought of trying to find a sail maker in Southern Illinois. The Sail Rite Recmar battens say they dont need end caps. I think I'll try the 5/8".

regards,

Todd

 

[Joe11688]

I think that the 5/8" battens will work for you. Personally, I would want my battens to have tips on them because usually when a sail rips it rips right at the batten pocket. one way to get around it is to wrap some sail tape around both ends of each batten. It's the next best thing to a batten tip.

I keep thinking that everyone has access to specialized sailboat rigging shops that we have in my area of MA within 20 miles of where I live. Places like Boston, New Bedford MA, Bristol and Newport RI have many of them and some have marine consignment stores. Even if you had a West Marine store withing 20 miles of your home, you'd get away cheaper by doing business with Sail Rite.
Good Luck Todd!