Sail Battens

[Guest]

I need to renew/sort out the battens in the mainsail.

Some are the wide wooden type and others thin metal with wide spacers at the ends.

What are the best type to use for performance and wear. Also, is the thickness critical ?

Many thanks in advance

 

[Guest]

Hi Jim, The thickness of your timber battens determins how 'much' they will bend and at what 'point', to provide the best sail shape. Next time out take note of the bend in each batten, If you replace the timber battens you can look forward to a lot of sanding, but you can get the shape you want. The plasic and steel battens you pay a fortune for can requir some tuning (sanding). Most timber battens have a taper from the mast to the leech and can be adjusted to the point they 'pop' when tacking in light air. Happy sanding/sailing....

 

[Guest]

It\'s stiffness that counts ...

.... as the actress said to the bishop - not, as Alf Garnet(?) had it - "Never mind the quality - feel the width." It's the degree of bendability that gives the sail the right shape - a smooth curve giving optimum draft (draught?).