Took my H240 out for a really great sail today off Canaveral. Wind was really blowing when we put in at about 20 knots. Motored the boat out of the channel into the ocean and put up the main only. Once the main was up I noticed that the top batten was hanging out of its pocket. By the time we got head to wind to lower the main the batten had blown out. About 5 mins later the second batten from the top also started to hang out and was gone before I could do anything about it. We sailed all afternoon without the battens and had a really great time. Although the wind let up enough to allow us to put up the jib I didn't notice any detrimental effect on boat speed without the battens. So, are there any learned opinions as to why I should worry about the battens, and the cost of replacing them. Are there any ways to secure them in place. The velcro strips that are on my main (Doyle) don't seem to be able to hold them, and I can't remember to check them every time I go sailing. Thanks Tony S/V H240
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Dean Taylor
Same Problem
I lost a whole set due to the same problem with the Doyle sail. Replaced them, drilled two holes at the ends in back of the velcro and used small plastic ties to secure them. A cheap fix and haven't had a problem since. I guess you don't really need them but it assists with the sail holding its shape so must enhance performance.
I lost a whole set due to the same problem with the Doyle sail. Replaced them, drilled two holes at the ends in back of the velcro and used small plastic ties to secure them. A cheap fix and haven't had a problem since. I guess you don't really need them but it assists with the sail holding its shape so must enhance performance.
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Bill Welsch
Batty battens
Tony We have done two things to resolve the batten issue. The top ones are secured with the velcro. Once we figured out how to secure them properly by sliding the "tongue" under the strap they work fine. Hard to describe here, just play with them and you'll figure it out. On the lower battens, after losing several, we have now sewn a couple of stitches to close the gap. Since we keep the sail on all season we wont have to take the stitch out until we fold up the sail at the end of the season. Good luck Bill Welsch s/v Renewal
Tony We have done two things to resolve the batten issue. The top ones are secured with the velcro. Once we figured out how to secure them properly by sliding the "tongue" under the strap they work fine. Hard to describe here, just play with them and you'll figure it out. On the lower battens, after losing several, we have now sewn a couple of stitches to close the gap. Since we keep the sail on all season we wont have to take the stitch out until we fold up the sail at the end of the season. Good luck Bill Welsch s/v Renewal
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Ken Shubert
Illusions
We've thrown battens and sailed without them and the sail shape seemed to hold pretty well. My conclusion is that they create the illusion of motion on calm days. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
We've thrown battens and sailed without them and the sail shape seemed to hold pretty well. My conclusion is that they create the illusion of motion on calm days. Ken S/V Wouff Hong
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Gerard
sail tape?
We lost one batten and nearly lost a second on our h26 this past weekend. I plan to secure them in with sail tape. It's light, strong, and shouldn't effect performance.
We lost one batten and nearly lost a second on our h26 this past weekend. I plan to secure them in with sail tape. It's light, strong, and shouldn't effect performance.
Hasn't everyone?
Tony: I think that this must happen to everyone. I would just drill a couple of small holes in the batten about 1/2" apart. Then re-insert the batten back into the pocket and stich it into the sail with some sail thread. Tie a good knot in the thread and they will probably outlive you<hope not>.
Tony: I think that this must happen to everyone. I would just drill a couple of small holes in the batten about 1/2" apart. Then re-insert the batten back into the pocket and stich it into the sail with some sail thread. Tie a good knot in the thread and they will probably outlive you<hope not>.
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Harris Burpee
Why you need battens
I suffered this same indignity with my 212 and did a little research to find out why I need the battens at all. The battens help to protect the sail from excessive luffing that serves to weaken the sail material. We've all seen this effect when covering something on a car rack with plastic and arriving at our destination with a great deal of the cover missing due to the repetative whipping in the wind. Battens/batten material is pretty cheap. My feeling is that if they weren't necessary, they wouldn't be there in the first place, but then I'm only a beginner.
I suffered this same indignity with my 212 and did a little research to find out why I need the battens at all. The battens help to protect the sail from excessive luffing that serves to weaken the sail material. We've all seen this effect when covering something on a car rack with plastic and arriving at our destination with a great deal of the cover missing due to the repetative whipping in the wind. Battens/batten material is pretty cheap. My feeling is that if they weren't necessary, they wouldn't be there in the first place, but then I'm only a beginner.
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Big T
Why they are comming out
Mine crept out as well. This was caused by not letting out enough topping lift line underway. Given the right amount of sag in this line, it tends to grab under each of the velcrow straps and lift them. Then, of coarse, the battens creep out. Let out a little more topping lift line. Oh, yes, you need the battens for stiffening of the sail for power.
Mine crept out as well. This was caused by not letting out enough topping lift line underway. Given the right amount of sag in this line, it tends to grab under each of the velcrow straps and lift them. Then, of coarse, the battens creep out. Let out a little more topping lift line. Oh, yes, you need the battens for stiffening of the sail for power.
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