Choosing a new mainsail: update. Availability of flexible battens?

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Amari

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On 21/03/2008 I sought forumites' advice on desirability of commissioning a fully battened cruising main with cars for my Wauquiez Pretorien 35ft based in Kusadasi, Turkey. I am grateful for the many detailed replies which were generally in favour. I was also advised to get a quote from Far East Sails of Hong Kong and indeed they are considerably cheaper than the quote from Turkish loft of UK Halsey.
However, FES cannot supply the full length battens because too big for air freight, but state flexible battens may be available in UK which I could buy and take out to Turkey.
Grateful for advice from any forumite who has experience of flexible battens and knows a source. Of course I might well be able to buy full length battens in Turkey but fear sailmakers there might be a bit reluctant to provide for a sail made elsewhere.
 
Battens

Bainbridge are probably best.

I used to buy wholesale:-

8, Flanders Park, Flanders Road, Hedge End, SO30 2FZ
tel 01489 776000

Awful response to phone, fax and e-mail - best to call in person.

Get them cut overlength, trim and fit to sail, on the boat, easily done using a hacksaw.
 
This is not particularly helpful but I experienced the same problem whith fully battened main from FES. My normal chandler only had fixed sized battens. In the end I plucked up courage and popped in to see a local sailmaker with the sail. He raised his eyebrows only slightly then promptly went about fitting the battens on the spot and charged a reasonable price for the job!

By the way the main is working out fine, as is the roller reefed genoa.

Regards
TonyM
 
Obtaining battens

Most chandlers only stock "standard" size battens - some do sell by the metre (mainly in France), but my #1 batten is 4.2m long and seems to stymie most.

Unfortunately the level of professionalism in the UK leisure boating market frequently leaves something to be desired.

Bainbridges' Aquabattens come in a number of different stiffnesses and you need to err on the side of flexibility. The other thing to watch out for, is that you have the right width to fit the car-end snugly.
To transport, roll them into a circle and secure with masking tape, a 14' batten on a bus could be considered anti-social.

If you have Rutgerson ends and can't get the right size of Aquabatten try Contender (UK), again another sailmaker supplier.

Your sailmaker should be able to advise on which end/batten he's designed for.

PS IMHO the excuse about transport is weak
 
May be worth mentioning - I have seen two types of battens.

The first type of battens are as Charles described and have different widths and diameters. Bainbridge may also be another supplier or I may be confusing them with Burden. From memory they are around 38mm to 40mm wide, and as suggested vary in thickness. About 5m worth only costs about £12 to £15 - not too bad. I ordered mine through a decent chandler and turned up in about 8 days.

Might be worth asking your sailmaker what type of tensioning method he uses. Some are tied in and other makers use velcro at the end of the pockets.

The other type of battens are in fact a thin dowelling fibreglass - not flat at all . They have 'flats' at each end and you tension them via allen screws. I assume the advantage is weight but probably cost a lot more.

I'am sure you will enjoy your new sail.
 
Just had a new fully battened main fitted and IIRC the sail supplier said he use bluestreak battens that he gets supplied from Australia. These come in a coil and he cuts the length of batten he requires.
 
Just checked quote, they were Blue Streak Vinylester battens.

Saw them fitted last thursday. John Channon specified luff batten cars that were adjustable by a screw. Really neat - just out from Rutteson? IIRC. The batten then goes in at the luff end and is tension by a screw - far better than the previous one where it got pushed in hard from the leech and secured by velcro.

Going for a test sail with John Channon tonight so far excellent service and everything done/delivered on promised dates.

As usual no connection just a satisfied customer.
 
Many thanks. Hope you had a cracking sail.
I phoned Contender Ltd who told me that a coiled flexible batten is 6 ft diam. and unlikely to be accepted as flight luggage
I think I will have to revert to plan A with the Turkish loft and supply my own Rutgerson cars and batten boxes.
 
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