Batten Width / Pocket width

Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic

   I need to procure a set of full length battens for a roughly 26' X 8' catamaran sale  I purchased as new, old stock, for my Tremolino trimaran.    My concern is that buying a seemingly wide enough batten will yield a way too stiff batten.  
The plastic luff side, sail protector pocken that receives the batten is 2.5" wide, inside dimension. Batten pockets are ~2.5 " wide.   I would think that a ~2" batten was intended, which I would think would be way, way, too stiff in non-tapered fiberglass.

The previous sail had 1 1/4 inch fiberglass battens, which is pretty normal I think for this size sail.  I was thinking of going with  somewhat wider 1 5/8 inch battens just to fill out the pocket better.  On the other hand, maybe I should not care about the pocket width and just use a narrower, more flexible batten without sail modification, obviously the narrower battens would fit, but very loosely.  Battens are secured and tensioned via lines through grommets at the leech, so they con't fall out.

Should I just ignore the batten pocket width?

Would I notice the difference in stiffness between 1 1/4 and 1 5/8?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Don

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version Translate Topic
don54321 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 23 February 2012 Location: NJ Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote don54321 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Batten Width / Pocket width Posted: 11 March 2012 at 1:06pm
	I need to procure a set of full length battens for a roughly 26' X 8' catamaran sale I purchased as new, old stock, for my Tremolino trimaran. My concern is that buying a seemingly wide enough batten will yield a way too stiff batten. The plastic luff side, sail protector pocken that receives the batten is 2.5" wide, inside dimension. Batten pockets are ~2.5 " wide. I would think that a ~2" batten was intended, which I would think would be way, way, too stiff in non-tapered fiberglass. The previous sail had 1 1/4 inch fiberglass battens, which is pretty normal I think for this size sail. I was thinking of going with somewhat wider 1 5/8 inch battens just to fill out the pocket better. On the other hand, maybe I should not care about the pocket width and just use a narrower, more flexible batten without sail modification, obviously the narrower battens would fit, but very loosely. Battens are secured and tensioned via lines through grommets at the leech, so they con't fall out. Should I just ignore the batten pocket width? Would I notice the difference in stiffness between 1 1/4 and 1 5/8? Any thoughts would be appreciated. Don

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3012	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattGrant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 March 2012 at 8:53am
	Hi Don, Yes, ignore the pocket width. It is somewhat normal for the pockets to be quite a bit larger than the batten width. The standard batten for a catamaran is the 1" Catamaran Batten #3611. But a Pultruded fiberglass battens in 1 5/16" width would work fine. Thanks, Matt Sailrite
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite

don54321 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Member Joined: 23 February 2012 Location: NJ Status: Offline Points: 10	Post Options Post Reply Quote don54321 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 March 2012 at 10:42am
	Hello Matt, Thank you. I make a point to buy from Sailrite, even if I can save a few dollars elsewhere in consideration of the support. In this case, I will likely re-purpose my original battens if width is no concern. I have a bunch of other projects which will surely generate other sales. Many thanks. Don

MattGrant Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group Sailrite Employee - Expert Joined: 21 April 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 3012	Post Options Post Reply Quote MattGrant Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 12 March 2012 at 10:51am
	Thanks Don. Your support is the reason we are able to do the free videos and employee knowledgable staff! Best Regards, Matt Grant
	Best Regards, Matt Grant Sailrite