Batten length, taper and sail shape

I’ve got a new set of factory sails on order from my local Hobie dealer. My current sails (Carumba) are in great shape for day-sailing, but really out of shape to real performance.

I never worried too much about the battens before because the sails were so old. Now I have some questions. Have the batten lengths for the HC-18 changed over the years with improvements in the sail cut? Is there a current list for the batten lengths and the recommended taper-length for each batten? Is the sail pocket measurement information in the Berman Performance Manual still valid or is there a newer (simpler) technique to adjust the batten for optimal sail shape?

Any help that can let me get the most performance out of my investment in new sails would be great.

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John Latimer
'79 Hobie18 - Magnum
Sail#4854

The batten lengths have undoubtedly changed slightly over the years with the small changes in sail cut. When I got my new main last year, I know I had to do some swapping around. There is a possibility that some of the old battens may be too short. The worst case scenario is that you have to buy one new bottom batten and bump all of the current battens up one slot.

As far as taper goes, my feeling is that the 30% taper at the head of the sail gradually moving back to 40 to 50% taper at the foot still applies. Stock taper is generally pretty good and the bottom several battens require no taper as they are very long and flexible to begin with. The role of the batten is really to accentuate and support the shape that is already cut into the sail, not change it. So I would recommend rigging your new sail, putting a little downhaul & mainsheet tesnion on and just giving the sail a good visual inspection (flipping the boat on it's side may be helpful). If you see that you've got a batten that's causing the shape to act weird in one particular area (like making the sail overly flat or forcing the draft too far back or forward) then inspect the taper of the batten and make the necessary corrections. I don't feel it's necessary to go too crazy with straight edges and tape measures unless that's really how you want to spend your afternoon.

sm

Hi John,

You are asking about the Magic Batten Mo-Jo ...

I would recommend you purchase a "new" set of battons for your "new" sail. (see how the "karma" works???)

Then come to a Div11 Regatta and we will tell you "tall tales" on how to tune battens ....

You'll need the following: a tape measure ... calculator to calculate ... a cheap beltsander ... a orbital sander .... a good file .... cold beer .... and some time ....

We'll need to measure the "Cord Length" ... calculate the percentage where you wish the max draft to be .... sand/shave the batten so that it bends in the proper place and all battens flex the same depth w/ the same pressure.

Both factors are important ... where and how much pressure/depth of bend. When you are tensioning the battens (before hoisting) I slowly compare the tension on the battens to make sure they "pop" the same.

You coming to Gunpowder or Rock Hall in June??? Buy me a cold beverage and I'll share the Magic Batton Mo-Jo ... maybe we can even get George to pontificate ...

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HarryMurphey
H-18 mag/ #9458
Fleet 54 Div 11