Batten ?

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Sun May 09, 2010 8:21 am

So I unrolled my main sail to get the batten length and cut the new battens I ordered to the correct length. Right away I noticed the battens were tapered in thickness....and newbie here doesn't know, nor could I find, which way the taper goes in the batten pocket, forward or aft. Surely it matters....doesn't it? Which way? Thanks for helping the sailing challanged.

Other than that the new to me Bucc is ready to go. Just waiting for warmer water.

Vic

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Sun May 09, 2010 2:07 pm

No Vic the flat side is just where it was cut to size. I would make sure the edges are smooth , I taper cut mine to length.

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Sun May 09, 2010 2:29 pm

the original battens were made from wood, I still have mine!

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Sun May 09, 2010 3:17 pm

They're tapered....thicker at one end that at the other, like a long, thin wedge, width is the same throughout their length. The edges are smooth as these are of some flexible, molded material.

mariner, do you by chance know the dimensions of yours, particularly the width? I'm not certain these are correct as they're 5/8 in. wide.

Vic

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Sun May 09, 2010 3:30 pm

I have never seen them tapered like that either....what are they made of. All the pre-made fiberglass battens I have used are tapered width wise but not length wise. I can't really see any advantage to doing this unless the sail was especially designed for this and as far as I know our sails are of a pretty standard design.

mariner · Post by **mariner** » Sun May 09, 2010 3:40 pm

They do taper and there are four (quantity) and three different lengths (two are the same), they taper from 3/32" to 7/32", they are 1-1/4" wide. I will post photos

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Mon May 10, 2010 3:30 am

Banshi, I ordered them from an outfit in Maryland, I believe, and I assume them to be some kind of fiberglass. Also, the main sail appears to be the original.

Mariner, thank you! I didn't know for certain but these just didn't seem correct at that narrow of a width. And, yes, there are four just as you described in length.

So, does the thick end go towards the mast? Seems to me it almost has to.

Vic

Mario G · Post by **Mario G** » Mon May 10, 2010 4:51 am

I guess pictures would help.
If I'm understanding right it sounds like you have something different then whats in ether my C-26's original main or the original C-22 Starwind main.

Funny I sent the battans with the main sail to be serviced and when they came back all are to long for the lowest pocket.

Guster · Post by **Guster** » Mon May 10, 2010 6:04 am

sharps4590 wrote:Banshi, I ordered them from an outfit in Maryland, I believe, and I assume them to be some kind of fiberglass. Also, the main sail appears to be the original.

Mariner, thank you! I didn't know for certain but these just didn't seem correct at that narrow of a width. And, yes, there are four just as you described in length.

So, does the thick end go towards the mast? Seems to me it almost has to.

Vic

Vic,

I have always put the thick end forward (towards the mast) on my Mutineer. I have always assumed that was the correct position for them. I have never had any problems.

Good luck,
Dan

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Mon May 10, 2010 2:16 pm

Thanks guster!! That makes the most sense to me.

Vic

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Mon May 10, 2010 2:45 pm

Not to step on any toes but the other way around seems more logical to me since the forward part of the sail curves more and the back of the sail could use the thicker profile for stiffness to help reduce flutter, but then again I have never seen tapered battens before so what would I know

Holiday · Post by **Holiday** » Tue May 11, 2010 4:57 am

The thin end goes forward to allow it to curve with the shape of the sail. The thick end supports the leach of the sail and helps keep it flatter and straight.

Guster · Post by **Guster** » Tue May 11, 2010 7:43 am

Thanks, Banshi and Holiday. I think you guys are right. I have always had the big end forward. When you really think about it you want more stiffness at the leach.

sharps4590 · Post by **sharps4590** » Tue May 11, 2010 11:04 am

This is why I asked....being such a newbie what made sense to me regarding sailing isn't always as it appears. Now it makes more sense for the thin edge to be toward the mast.

Stick around guys.....I'll probably have some more beginner questions that will be good for laughs!!!!

Thanks..

Vic