I have an old 1977 Hunter 25 with (I think) the original sail. It has 4 pockets for approximately 24" long battens (not full). The pockets are straight (not tapered) and approximately 1" wide. How do I prevent the battens from popping out once inserted? Do I need to stitch them in perhaps? There is a very small overlap (like the end of a pillow case on the leech side of the batten pocket. Do I somehow put the batten under it? It doesn't look strong enough though. Any help would be much appreciated.
How to install sail battens
- Thread starter busyengineer
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Battens
Without seeing your batten pocket I can't say for sure, but I would be very surprised if you have to sew the batten pocket shut. You'd never be able to remove them prior to folding your sails. My experience is that the battens slide in at a slight angle then drop into the pocket. That along with friction from the batten ends should be sufficient to keep them in place while the sail is deployed or flaked over the boom.
Without seeing your batten pocket I can't say for sure, but I would be very surprised if you have to sew the batten pocket shut. You'd never be able to remove them prior to folding your sails. My experience is that the battens slide in at a slight angle then drop into the pocket. That along with friction from the batten ends should be sufficient to keep them in place while the sail is deployed or flaked over the boom.
Hunter 25 Battens
I owned a 25 for several years as my 1st boat. keeping battens in the pockets could only be done by taking a couple stitches across the opening after slipping the battens in because the elastic loop at he head of the pocket was more likely to push it out. Use a sail needle and take two or three stitches diagonally across the open seam after the battens are in place. If you don't, expect to see something fly out behind you when you drop the main in a brisk breeze. You only need to take them out at the end of the season if you typically flake the sail on the boom and put on the sail cover
I owned a 25 for several years as my 1st boat. keeping battens in the pockets could only be done by taking a couple stitches across the opening after slipping the battens in because the elastic loop at he head of the pocket was more likely to push it out. Use a sail needle and take two or three stitches diagonally across the open seam after the battens are in place. If you don't, expect to see something fly out behind you when you drop the main in a brisk breeze. You only need to take them out at the end of the season if you typically flake the sail on the boom and put on the sail cover
Batten Retention
Retaining your battens in their pocket may call for a little more effort. I repair a lot of sails and quite often install missing battens. I drill a hole or two in the batten end and I sew heavy thread through the hole and the sail. If you sew it right, you can even put a little tension on the batten. Do you know what batten poke is? Batten poke is an undesireable and relatively sharp deflection of your sail at the front of your batten pocket. Sometimes, batten poke can be reduced by using battens that are lighter or that are tapered to a thinner fore section. Another cause of poke is a batten that is too short for the pocket (and therefore untensionable). The concept of selecting the correct batten and batten tension is an art form. You must retain and tension your battens for best effect. The little tuck of material at the trailing edge of your batten is a great place to sew and anchor your battens, I would not trust that little flap alone. Small bungee chords, velcro flaps and lacing ends retain and tension battens. Do you need new battens? I can help
Retaining your battens in their pocket may call for a little more effort. I repair a lot of sails and quite often install missing battens. I drill a hole or two in the batten end and I sew heavy thread through the hole and the sail. If you sew it right, you can even put a little tension on the batten. Do you know what batten poke is? Batten poke is an undesireable and relatively sharp deflection of your sail at the front of your batten pocket. Sometimes, batten poke can be reduced by using battens that are lighter or that are tapered to a thinner fore section. Another cause of poke is a batten that is too short for the pocket (and therefore untensionable). The concept of selecting the correct batten and batten tension is an art form. You must retain and tension your battens for best effect. The little tuck of material at the trailing edge of your batten is a great place to sew and anchor your battens, I would not trust that little flap alone. Small bungee chords, velcro flaps and lacing ends retain and tension battens. Do you need new battens? I can help
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