Splitting battens :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Splitting battens

bobcatnj

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 11, 2011

Last visit: May 14, 2014

Posts: 104
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 - 04:16 PM

So over the weekend i was able to take a closer look at the sails on my new to me Prindle. A few easilly repairable issues but a question about battens. It looks like i've got 3 battens that are splitting on the leech end about 2-3 inches in. Originally I thought that the battens were just to hold sail shape but aparently they are more structrual on the cat sails. A quick search gave me some ideas, is the best way to fix a small split is an expoxy? Would a household expoxy or super glue work or would I be better off with a west 105 with no filler.

At the price of sails and battens I want to do it right the first time.

Also do prindles have the same size battens for 12&3? I know the hobies have 2 as the longest but wasnt sure on the P.

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Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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erice

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 19, 2008

Last visit: Aug 26, 2023

Posts: 671
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 - 05:01 PM

epoxy is pretty much the way to go

even cheap 2-part epoxy glues from $shop type outlets are probably good enough

the last part of your question i don't understand, my nacra5.2 has 10 battens and the 3rd batten from the top is much shorter than the the bottom 10th batten
bobcatnj

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 11, 2011

Last visit: May 14, 2014

Posts: 104
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 - 05:34 PM

I meant that obviously they need to taper to follow the shape of the sail, but my bottom 3 are the same size is that normal? Hobie goes 9 10 8 with 10 being the longest, then the rest. i seem to have 3 of the same and several other in decreasing size. All of them are long enough to go leech to luff so i assume no issue

--
Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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erice

Rank: Mate

Registered: Feb 19, 2008

Last visit: Aug 26, 2023

Posts: 671
Posted: Nov 06, 2011 - 09:48 PM

when you say size are you talking length in feet, width or what?

what kind of prindle 16, 18, 18-2, 19?

but whatever, if they fill the pockets, they are the right length...

with tapered foam filled battens, as on nacras, you want to be looking at the "weight" needed to bend the batten as well as the length
bobcatnj

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 11, 2011

Last visit: May 14, 2014

Posts: 104
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 08:00 AM

I'm at a PC now so let me try to explain this better. I've got an 83 P16 with 9 battens each measuring about.
94.5
94.5
94.5-split
89
82
74
63-split
50-split
30-split

I'm going to order and rubber cement ( per this BB) on a set of new leach caps since I'm missing a few and other are broken. On the luff ( where the splitting is about 2-3 inches) there are no caps on the battens but it looks like there are caps on the sail from Prindle. Similar to http://www.murrays.com/mm…e=01-1001&Category_Code=

I would assume that I don't need endcaps as the sail pocket protectors sufficient?

Does anyone carry replacement battens? It looks like there aren't too many places around that would have a suitable replacement without changing over to another style batten if that is possible.

--
Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
--
DanBerger

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 02, 2002

Last visit: Aug 13, 2020

Posts: 214
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 09:01 AM

The older battens typically split at the tips. You can repair them with epoxy if they aren't too bad. Just make sure you get the epoxy in all the cracks so it glues them together.

I have several sets of battens, both Prindle and replacement fiberfoam battens. I sell them at a reasonable price, but shipping is expensive because they are so long..

Dan
bobcatnj

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 11, 2011

Last visit: May 14, 2014

Posts: 104
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 11:05 AM

Dan,

Thanks, but as luck would have it I dropped off my sails at the sail maker and they had a few battens that are the same size/shape. I picked up a 12 foot batten and will cut the split ones to the size shorter. So I'll have some left over material.

What is the best way to cut / shape and taper the battens.

Taper - sanding - 60-80 Grit ? Reseal with 105?
Cut / shape -fine tooth hack saw?

Would it be prudent to add a strip of reinforcing tape 3-4 inches back behind the taper to prevent / limit future splitting? Far enough back to be behind the taper / pocket so that they fit properly.

For non racing applications I was told to taper just enough to get the batten into the pocket .

--
Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
--
DanBerger

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 02, 2002

Last visit: Aug 13, 2020

Posts: 214
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 01:56 PM

There is a lot of room for opinion in your question.

I would never taper a batten because I would be wearing the splinters under my skin for months--even if I was fully covered. It is also very difficult to get an even taper along a long section of the batten. However, your plan sounds like the best method if you want to try it.

I've been fortunate to get good used tapered battens in the past, so I have never tried it. There is a school of thought that you don't want to taper the bottom batten so you can really honk on it and get a big pocket.

I think if you just grind down the last inch so that it will fit in the pocket protector, you should be OK. Tape wouldn't hurt, but I don' think it would help with splitting. The best thing it would supply is protection (to the pocket) from the exposed fibers that you ground down.
BigWhoop

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jun 27, 2006

Last visit: Nov 09, 2021

Posts: 71
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 06:54 PM

You've come to the right place! The sail has the max draft at 35% to 45% of chord and an untapered batten will have it at 50%. Doesn't matter if you're not sailing alongside an identical boat for an hour (racing). Here's the link on how to do it.
http://www.thebeachcats.com/news/19/a-batten-tapering-guide/

Paint it with something even if you don't taper them. They have a very high glass/resin ratio and will put slivers in your hands and your sails.

I always custom taper and match my battens. Just sayin'.
bobcatnj

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 11, 2011

Last visit: May 14, 2014

Posts: 104
Posted: Nov 07, 2011 - 08:29 PM

QuoteThey have a very high glass/resin ratio and will put slivers in your hands and your sails.

Yeah i carried one into my sailmaker under my arm with the sails and tramp in the other..... Im still itchy

--
Bob Miller
1983 P16 Sail # 7312
"Miller Time" A work in progress; out of the water for 16 years
Barnegat Bay NJ
Beach Cat Lesson #1 - A free cat isn't
Find more Prindles on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/173120656090532/
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