How fast has your Vega gone?

[peterjmaud]

I do not know about removable battens but there are inflatable ones.
They were mentioned in a recent sailing journal (cannot remember
which). For a 44ft boat that had inner mast furling they were listed
for $1,000. For a smaller boat they would be less. I visited Vega
owner in England a couple of years ago who had inner mast furling on
his Vega. He really liked the inner mast (I had it on a Rhodes 22
that I used to own) and I would think that the inflatable battens
would have been of value to him as it would allow increased sail area
and better sail shape.
Peter M

At 01:28 PM 7/14/2008, you wrote:

 

[btfag0s]

All battens I've ever used have been removable, whether in dinghies or
keelboats. I've NEVER seen known a batten to fall out in more than 25 years
of sailing.

If your battens are falling out then possible reasons are: the batten pocket
has a burst seam; it's a poorly made sail; the battens are the wrong size;
or, dare I suggest, they haven't been put in correctly.

The batten should be the same length as the pocket, so that it's a tight
fit, and there should be a fold of sail that you tuck the batten behind to
secure it (just like a pillow in its pillowcase).

Alisdair

 

[groundhogyh]

Hi Alisdair,
I have been reading just as you say. Mine probably are removable and I just didn't see the opening.

I had a small zuma sailboat and the battens did fall out..
rb

 

[groundhogyh]

Peter,
That is an interesting concept. I'll have to look them up.
So every time the sail is stowed they deflate? Must have some mechanism to automatically inflate when mainsail is hoisted.
rb

 

[peterjmaud]

As far as I can gather they are inflated by a pump. I will try and
remember to look up the description - I kept a copy but it is at home
and I do all my e-mails from work. As is typical as one gets a little
longer in the tooth I tend to forget!!!
Peter M

At 06:14 PM 7/14/2008, you wrote:

 

[wxt8981]

There is such a thing as inflatable battens. However, to have these on a Vega, one would need a new mast. I don't think that would be reasonable.
Wilhelm, V-257