H260 Batten Missing

[BobSail]

For the past several years, I seem to find that the lower middle batten disappears part way through the season, in spite of all efforts to keep it in when installing. My boat came from the factory with Doyle sails, and the pocket cover appears identical to the other three. I also saw that Ed Childres' boat with the gorgeous flag spinnaker in the 260 owner's photo section may be missing the same batten, and wondered if anyone else has experienced the same problem? Thanks

 

[Jerry Clark H356 SV Persistence]

Had a 98 260 - lost batens

Before trading for my 2003 356 I had a new 1998 260. Doyle sails also. Lost the battens every season and never did figure out how to avoid it happening. When lufing the main into the wind for getting the sail up or down, the velcro would give way and away the battens would go. I finally just quit replacing them and it sailed ok without them.

 

[Paul J. Rusyniak]

We had the same problem with our 2001 h260.

She had Doyle sails. We contacted them and they sent us information that didn’t apply to our batten pockets.The top two pockets had Velcro closures and generally were not the problems, although the topping lift would occasionally flip one of the pockets open.The problem was with the bottom two pocket closures. You’d push the batten all the way in really hard, overlap a piece of sail material and release the batten. The outer end was supposed to go into the pocket in the leech.We finally had the bottom two battens sewn in.Paul

 

[JeffC21331]

Already lost mine on my new 25

I already lost the lower batten on my new 25. It has Doyle sails. I can't really tell the difference. I don't think I will worry about replacing it.

 

[George H260]

H260 batten

Yep - lost my middle batten last year. Happened when the sail was flogging quite a bit. This has happened for the same reasons on a Colgate 26 I sailed quite a bit.

 

[MikeH]

Lost several

We lost several battens when we first got our 1998 H260. That first winter, when I sent our sales into Doyle Cleveland for inspection (local loft for us), I mentioned that the battens came out. They found the hook & loop covers on the batten pockets didn't close well and replaced them. Haven't had a problem since.Mike

 

[Boydaclies]

Man, those things don't float...

We lost several on our first big trip out. When the first one hit the water I heard it, (sounded like I bullet going by) but it didn't even make a splash. I saw the second one working it's way out while we were luffing, but couldn't get the sail down in time to save it. Our first fix was simply replacing/ upgrading the Doyle velcro, which slowed the departure rate some, but was ultimately not the best solution. After Elvis left the building again, repeatedly, we just removed the velcro altogether and sewed the battons in place. The only disadvantage is you can't fold the sail lengthwise. You can buy batton material and caps from WM and cut to length. As I recall, it was quite inexpensive and they shipped almost immediately. We also considered installing a metal snap in the velcro closures, but concluded it wasn't worth the bother. I'm no engineer, but the battons do seem to me to help the sail shape in light air.

 

[Ed Childres]

Did even know

BobSail, In looking at my own picture I think you are correct. The weekend before this picture was taken we had the main luffing for too long placing a reef. Probably lost it during that commotion. Didn't even know it was missing until you pointed it out. I agree with Boydaclies' post stating that the battens propably help most with light air sail shape. On the weekend the picture was taken we set a speed record (for us on this boat) of 6.8 knots on a starboard tack with full main & jib. We are crusers who start the motor under 1.5 knots & are happy with any speed above 5 knots.

 

[Gerard]

Lost battens

Yep, it's a chronic problem. We have a 95 H26. I close the pockets normally and then cover them with a strip of 3 inch sail tape. Doesn't effect the sail's performance and locks the battens in until the tape is released. From what I understand from our sailmaker, not having the battens in will effect performance and sail life.Good luck...

 

[john johnson]

Late responding...but

FYI - I have lost 4 since I bought my '05 260 in July. It is such a problem, that I quit replacing them.....for fear that I would lose another. Taping the end sounds like a great solution. I bought 30' of batten from Doyle....I think the shipping was more than the batten material?!?!...easy to cut and install. I will install and tape this weekend!! John

 

[deduct53]

oh yes

I have struggled with this for 3 years. I actually considered sewing them in and cutting them outin the fall. I received advice for this from a friend that seams to slow the losing process. good old fashion duct tape. add tape to the end of the batton which makes the fit as tight as possible. this helps keep the batton in and doesnt harm the sail. plus can be removed or added to as necessaryif you here of another way let me know

 

[s sauer]

Sew Them In!

There's nothing wrong with sewing them in - it takes only minutes and you will NEVER again loose one. I now have over-size battens and they have a velcrow closure inside the batten pockets reinforced with a sterip of leather backing. It's actually quite dificult to get them out at the end of the season!

 

[Fred]

Sew them. It's tradional

On lots of cruising boats it's standard practice to put two or three stitches through the batten pocket after you put the batten in. It takes less than a minute (after the half hour to find needle, thread and sail palm) and it comes out in five seconds. Make the stitches big enough so you can cut the thread easily when it's time to remove it. Three stitches in the middle of the opening is plenty.