Look What The Cats Dragged In - P18 ISO TLC :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Look What The Cats Dragged In - P18 ISO TLC

leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 - 03:46 PM

So the other day my monohull sailor buddy finally takes the plunge and buys a cat, an '83 Prindle 18 that is in need of TLC and God knows what else at this point. While inspecting the main I noticed a couple of missing battens, 3 and 4 from the top and that the sides of all the battens were flat along the entire length instead of rounded like Hobie battens, factory no tapering. I really didn't notice any file or tool marks. Are the flats OEM on Prindle battens or have these indeed been worked? Note that this is my first really close look at a Prindle.

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
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onekiwi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2013

Last visit: Jul 22, 2024

Posts: 251
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 - 05:55 PM

If he needs a mainsail complete with battens message me

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Carl

Dart 18x2
Nacra 5.8
Acat
Windrider Rave x2 for sale
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leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 - 06:34 PM

onekiwiIf he needs a mainsail complete with battens message me

Will do. The main that came with the boat looks OK, first blush, but we haven't had it up yet.

Thanks

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
--
JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Nov 30, 2024

Posts: 797
Posted: Feb 01, 2019 - 09:03 PM

Those are the original battens that came with the vintage Prindle sail.... surprised they are not green...

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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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nofearofflying

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 06, 2008

Last visit: Aug 23, 2023

Posts: 192
Posted: Feb 02, 2019 - 01:18 PM

i have same condition battens on 4 sets of prindle 16 sails offered for sale on this site I place electric tape tightly over front edge that sits inside batten cap so it sits snuggly and does not deteriorate further, the battens are off white or blue and still resilient and have held up better than Dart battens that are often hallow, hobie battens also have held up over time eg from my hobie 16 sails from 1971! they are interchangeable with prindle battens when you can 'size' them up; use a hack saw to get precise size and drill a new hole if necessary to lace or preferably new end cap.
nofearofflying

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 06, 2008

Last visit: Aug 23, 2023

Posts: 192
Posted: Feb 02, 2019 - 01:20 PM

in regard to sails i have a vitually new prindle 16 jib but i believe prindle 18 jib is larger
leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 03, 2019 - 03:37 PM

JohnESThose are the original battens that came with the vintage Prindle sail.... surprised they are not green...

Thanks John for the confirmation on the side flats being OEM.

I will need to find some batten stock with the flatted sides to replace the two that are missing which are 79" and 84". These could be cut down from longer battens of the same section. Anyone have battens of the needed or longer length you would consider parting with?

--
Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
--
onekiwi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2013

Last visit: Jul 22, 2024

Posts: 251
Posted: Feb 03, 2019 - 08:26 PM

i can measure some spares i have tomorrow but may be to xey to ship to SC

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Carl

Dart 18x2
Nacra 5.8
Acat
Windrider Rave x2 for sale
--
windflower

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Nov 22, 2016

Last visit: Aug 31, 2023

Posts: 67
Posted: Feb 03, 2019 - 10:21 PM

I have some from a H 17 that could be cut down. They are currently 87 and 94 inches with caps. Find myself with 2 extra sets of battens at the moment. Wilmington NC.
leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 06, 2019 - 02:58 PM

onekiwii can measure some spares i have tomorrow but may be to xey to ship to SC

Shipping battens is always expensive. I'm just looking for battens and/or stock with the OEM Prindle side flats so that I can complete the set my friend has and at least get him on the water. Two other routes would be buy Hobie batten stock, cut in the flats and trim to length, but the deflection load profiles wouldn't be the same,

https://www.thebeachcats.…a-batten-tapering-guide/

or, fit the sail with all Hobie battens as a starting point.

If you have some OEM Prindle battens with the flats that's what I'm looking for.

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
--
onekiwi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 24, 2013

Last visit: Jul 22, 2024

Posts: 251
Posted: Feb 08, 2019 - 12:55 PM

I looked at the battens I have and they are all hobie, 16 and 18

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Carl

Dart 18x2
Nacra 5.8
Acat
Windrider Rave x2 for sale
--
MN3

Rank: Master Chief

Registered: Jun 20, 2006

Last visit: Dec 04, 2024

Posts: 7090
Posted: Feb 08, 2019 - 01:06 PM

IMHO - i would shove any kind/model batten i could find in the sail to start
if this legacy boat needs "love" ... then it needs time and money

i would spend as little as possible on things like battens, paint, etc, and save the money for real needs (rum, sunscreen, etc)... well kinda kidding about that but i would get the boat sound, in the water, and working before purchasing anything expensive.

Make sure the user loves sailing, and has the skills to notice the difference from an oem batten to a 1979 mismatched off brand batten that will "work for now". not to mention sail shape and when to use different stiffnesses of battens.

I would guess most of our demographic on this site (legacy boat enthusiasts, non pro, occasional racing (at best) don't release their battens after use, and almost never change out battens with changing weather

I sailed the past 2 decades with mismatched batten types, never paid any attention to tension etc
it wasn't until I purchased a new sail that I gave it ANY attention (still didn't purchase new/matched battens)
and it wasn't util I purchased my mystere 6.0 that came with a new sail and matched (and shaped) RBS battens
leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 08, 2019 - 05:19 PM

Ahhhh RBS Ahhhh $$$$$$$$$$$$$$

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Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
--
windflower

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Nov 22, 2016

Last visit: Aug 31, 2023

Posts: 67
Posted: Feb 09, 2019 - 07:01 PM

Free P16
Guessing some of these battens might work.
[url][https://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/d/macon-16-prindle-catamaran/6815542458.html/url]
leeboweffect

Rank: Mate

Registered: Apr 22, 2015

Last visit: May 21, 2023

Posts: 484
Posted: Feb 10, 2019 - 10:55 AM

windflowerFree P16
Guessing some of these battens might work.

Nice find and only about an hour and a half from me. I'll check it out thanks.

--
Hobie 16 (3 formerly)
MacGregor 25 (formerly)
Chrysler Dagger 14 (formerly)
NACRA 5.0 (currently)
High Point, NC
--