Rutgerson Batten Cars

[Norman_E]

My boat has a full batten main that usually jams, and has to be pulled down at the mast, instead of dropping cleanly into the sailbag. The problem seems to be that as the sail drops and is folded by the lazyjacks the battens are turned sideways so that they try to lie flat instead of sitting vertically. this results in the batten cars being twisted and jamming in the mast slot. The problem seems to be the result of there being no swivel between the car and the stainless shackle which is rigidly screwed to the plastic batten holder at the sail luff. The rigger I consulted said that it is a Rutgerson design fault. Does anyone know a cure?
To explain further I have four full length battens with Rutgerson cars, and all other sail attachments are via plastic sliders and plastic shackles fitted into eyelets at the luff, except for a stainless shackle and metal slider at the headboard.

 

[dickh]

Why not fit the batten cars to the batten ends with a piece of webbing? I did this on a previous boat which had full length battens and usual plastic sliders. Also used new 'black' plastic sliders and the sail just drops once head to wind! Totally changed the mainsail handling. Not sure how your cars are but could a piece of webbing be fitted to allow the batten to swivel? How about a shackle? Good luck anyway.
Sorry - should have said a piece of slack webbing so the slider doesn't jam in the slot.

 

[sailorman]

i have Fredricksen cars to the batten ends & sliders between the cars.
the system is superb with lazy jacks as long as the vessel is head to wind, if slightly off the battens bend around the lazy jacks causing the battens to fall before the cars thus a foul-up

 

[dratsea]

Had the same problem. Cindy at Wilkinson Sails fitted some universal joints. Magic!

John