Know anything about sail battens ?

[alec]

I have come across a well used full length battened mainsail.

To buy new battens would not be cost effective.

In true messing about with boats mode, what type of wood could I use ?

Do full length battens have to be more thinner than normal ones ?

Any tips or ideas would be most welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

[johnalison]

It depends on the pockets. I've had tubular battens < 1/2 inch across and flat plastic battens nearly 2". Either way, they need to be adjusted for tension and there will be an adjustable fitting usually on the roach.

 

[graham]

The lids off plastic trunking for central heating pipes may be ok. It comes in 3 m lengths.

 

[Searush]

Hickory is the "official" wood recommended - but what the h3ll?

Anything the right size, thin and flexible will do. Glue some old venetian blind slats together if you like. You will soon know if they are too stiff or too floppy from the set of the sail. It can help to have the front third thinner to help get the correct aerofoil shape with more curvature at the leading edge.

If you use wooden laths you can plane/ sand them so that they bend like an aeroplane wing when under compression. If you are using "free" stuff experimentation is fun & educational.

 

[1317]

Searush couldn't give you better advise. This is part of the fun, making something yourself. The more you do, the "better" you'll feel.

 

[savageseadog]

I would suggest GRP copper laminate board as used for printed circuit boards. The strips that you will need are very likely to be the type of scrap that a PCB factory will have. If you want to glue it it would be better if the copper was etched off. You'll need to do some ringing around.

 

[ytd]

Also remember that weight aloft is important. Most commercial battens are foam core or solid fiberglass or carbon tube. Light but strong. In the "old" days full length battens were split bamboo, planed to give the aerofoil shape and varnished to stop them absorbing water.

 

[Slow_boat]

Plastic conduit cut to shape with a stanley knife used to work in dinghies.

 

[EASLOOP]

I bought batten material from local chandler along with rubber end caps. Various widths cut to your length. Bobs yer uncle!