Batten size for stack pack

[Shearwater7]

I need to order a pair of battens for a 10ft boom. It was suggested to me that round battens are a better choice as they don’t twist so I’ll probably opt for these but could anyone tell me approximately what diameter works best TIA

 

[PetiteFleur]

I've got flat battens, about 30/35 mm wide from memory. Works well - a friend has round battens in two halves so you have to join them together when fitting, and they take up more room. Try flat battens and see how you get on.

 

[Roberto]

When I made my stackpack for a slightly longer boom (4.4m) the local sailmaker gave me 10mm round ones, became a sort of Lancelot when I transported them with my car
I then inserted them into a 15mm pvc rigid electrical conduit to round the shape of the cloth. Above all, wear gloves when you manipulate them.
I'd second the suggestion for flat ones if you can find them, lazy bags made with them appear to be straighter, on mine I rely on the balance of the different lines holding up the whole thing.

 

[Tranona]

Another vote for flat battens with pockets made to take them. They help the pack hold its shape and don't twist.

 

[Shearwater7]

I've got flat battens, about 30/35 mm wide from memory. Works well - a friend has round battens in two halves so you have to join them together when fitting, and they take up more room. Try flat battens and see how you get on.

Ok, thanks for that, very helpful, maybe flat ones are the way to go, they’re certainly cheaper too, I need to give it more thought

 

[Shearwater7]

When I made my stackpack for a slightly longer boom (4.4m) the local sailmaker gave me 10mm round ones, became a sort of Lancelot when I transported them with my car
I then inserted them into a 15mm pvc rigid electrical conduit to round the shape of the cloth. Above all, wear gloves when you manipulate them.
I'd second the suggestion for flat ones if you can find them, lazy bags made with them appear to be straighter, on mine I rely on the balance of the different lines holding up the whole thing.

Thanks for that, the problem I’m also having is actually finding them but if I do, the consensus seems to be that the flat ones work better so I’ll probably opt for those

 

[ashtead]

I recently had a new stack pack from a well known canvas firm which came with flat battens. Old German made one had round ones . I would have thought your local canvas firm would have a source of flat battens

 

[Tranona]

Flat battens come in a large coil and are cut to length by a sailmaker to suit the stackpack.

 

[noelex]

It is helpful, at least when cruising remote places, to have the battens in the stack pack be the same thickness width and profile as those used on the mainsail.

In this way broken or lost battens from the mainsail can be cannibalised from the stack pack. The stack pack normally has the longest batten length, so can be cut down to replace any one of the mainsail sail battens, providing the profile chosen for the stack pack is identical.

Anyway, this is how we specified the battens in our stack pack.