Has any other 240 owner had a problem with battans falling out of the main? The main is a Doyle sail that came with the boat when we bought it new in 99. The two top battans are slid into the sail and held in by a velcro strap. Nice idea, but when heading up wind to bring down the main...the flapping causes the velcro to release and battans to fly out. One fell into the boat, the other into the water. I have a few ideas of what to try, but would like some input from more experienced sailers on how to fix this most annoying problem. Thanks
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Me too
I lost the top 3 battens during our 1st season. (98) Have been sailing w/o ever since. You can get batten material cut to size at most boat dealers, or you can order from Hunter or West Marine. I plan to seal the velcro flaps with sail tape or even glue with silicon aquarium sealer. (easy to remove later)
I lost the top 3 battens during our 1st season. (98) Have been sailing w/o ever since. You can get batten material cut to size at most boat dealers, or you can order from Hunter or West Marine. I plan to seal the velcro flaps with sail tape or even glue with silicon aquarium sealer. (easy to remove later)
Try the old-fashioned way
Drill a 1/4-inch hole through each batten about 1/2-inch from the outer end (check carefully, some battens flex more on the inside end). Slip the battens into their pockets with the holed ends outermost. Use a red-hot ice pick (or similar device) and melt a hole through the sail and batten pocket at each hole. Tie the battens in place with a piece of light nylon or dacron line. You will never lose another batten. The lines also make a nice convenient spot for tying your leech telltales. Happy sailing! Peter H23 "Raven"
Drill a 1/4-inch hole through each batten about 1/2-inch from the outer end (check carefully, some battens flex more on the inside end). Slip the battens into their pockets with the holed ends outermost. Use a red-hot ice pick (or similar device) and melt a hole through the sail and batten pocket at each hole. Tie the battens in place with a piece of light nylon or dacron line. You will never lose another batten. The lines also make a nice convenient spot for tying your leech telltales. Happy sailing! Peter H23 "Raven"
Sew the batten pocket closed.
Had this happen on our sail several years ago. We ended up sewing the pockets closed even though they had velcro closures. The idea of drilling a hole in the batten would be good too. Just go to a sail maker or chandlery and get some sailmakers thread. Don't use cotton thread, it will probably last for about two weeks.
Had this happen on our sail several years ago. We ended up sewing the pockets closed even though they had velcro closures. The idea of drilling a hole in the batten would be good too. Just go to a sail maker or chandlery and get some sailmakers thread. Don't use cotton thread, it will probably last for about two weeks.
Tuck it
Hey Tom I have a 23.5 withl a similar Doyle sail. My battens fell out a lot until I discovered that the velcro tabs went underneath the loop in the batten pocket. I had previously stuck only the velcro together and they fell out just as you described. I've also observed that the topping life is the culprit for pulling the batten velcro apart. If you loosen it up, it won't be as likely to snag the batten pockets. Hope this helps. Alan Long S/V Random Access
Hey Tom I have a 23.5 withl a similar Doyle sail. My battens fell out a lot until I discovered that the velcro tabs went underneath the loop in the batten pocket. I had previously stuck only the velcro together and they fell out just as you described. I've also observed that the topping life is the culprit for pulling the batten velcro apart. If you loosen it up, it won't be as likely to snag the batten pockets. Hope this helps. Alan Long S/V Random Access
Sail Tape
I've used sail tape for about 5 years and have excellent luck. It's about 2" wide. I cut 6-8" and wrap it over the batten pocket and overlap the leach by 3-4". It works fine and is easy to remove when necessary.
I've used sail tape for about 5 years and have excellent luck. It's about 2" wide. I cut 6-8" and wrap it over the batten pocket and overlap the leach by 3-4". It works fine and is easy to remove when necessary.
$18
I too have the same velcro issue on my 170 sails made by North. I just lost the batten and sailed once without it. I thought that the sail was going to rip from the wild fluttering where the batten should have been. I finally bought a new one in a hurry at my Hunter Dealer for $18. Now that I know the size, I am going to try and fabricate my own (the end piece could be tough). I take the batten out after every sail when I roll the sail and put it in the sail bag as I trailer the boat.
I too have the same velcro issue on my 170 sails made by North. I just lost the batten and sailed once without it. I thought that the sail was going to rip from the wild fluttering where the batten should have been. I finally bought a new one in a hurry at my Hunter Dealer for $18. Now that I know the size, I am going to try and fabricate my own (the end piece could be tough). I take the batten out after every sail when I roll the sail and put it in the sail bag as I trailer the boat.
another vote for sail tape
We lost battens from our h26 until I put sail tape over the closure. A simple, inexpensive, and most importantly non-invasive fix that can be reversed. Good luck...
We lost battens from our h26 until I put sail tape over the closure. A simple, inexpensive, and most importantly non-invasive fix that can be reversed. Good luck...
Tie them...
My solution: 1. Drill a 1/4 " hole near the aft end of the batten, about 1" in. 2. Take about 12 "of line (1/8" nylon braid) and fold in half to form a loop. Feed loop through hole and back over batten end leaving two string ends attached to batten. 3. Put batten in pocket. 4. Tie strings around the securing loop so that the batten cannot fall out even if the velcro tab opens. 5. Feed velcro tab through secruing loop and secure. Now even if the tab is open, the batten cannot fall out. Suggest that you measure each of your battens (lenght, width, thickness) and record dimensions in your owners manual so that if you do lose one in the future, you have the spec's for a replacement. Fair winds... Tom
My solution: 1. Drill a 1/4 " hole near the aft end of the batten, about 1" in. 2. Take about 12 "of line (1/8" nylon braid) and fold in half to form a loop. Feed loop through hole and back over batten end leaving two string ends attached to batten. 3. Put batten in pocket. 4. Tie strings around the securing loop so that the batten cannot fall out even if the velcro tab opens. 5. Feed velcro tab through secruing loop and secure. Now even if the tab is open, the batten cannot fall out. Suggest that you measure each of your battens (lenght, width, thickness) and record dimensions in your owners manual so that if you do lose one in the future, you have the spec's for a replacement. Fair winds... Tom
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