Jib Catching on Mast

"I've found that simpler is better - and that training your crew to properly clear the battens helps too."

Agree! Never have a problem when the wind is blowing over 10k and when it is light and I am solo, I have a routine to yank down and pull over that works if I am aggressive enough and smooth. Technology is not always the answer to boat handling issues.

If the wind is at least in high single digits and certainly in any double digit winds, the battens will easily skip across without hanging.

What does one use to cut battens?

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

Uses hacksaw blades.

So just cut about a 1/2 inch off the end with a hacksaw? I thought that battens were fiberglass, wouldn't there be some splintering?

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Marty
1984 H16 Yellow Nationals Redline, "Yellow Fever"
Lake Martin, 'Bama.

Not really. Don't force the cut and when you get near the bottom of the cut, flip the batten over and cut from the opposite side. Lightly sand the edges to take off any "fuzzies".

You can always wrap the ends with electrical tape and/or use luff caps, this will help keep the cut ends from splitting or splintering, etc.

I also taped the luff caps onto the ends of the battens so they don't fall off in the batten pockets (if you need to pull the battens out).

You may have to taper the batten ends some (with sand paper) if they are too large to fit into the luff or leech caps.

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Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL

If you want to go the easiest route (I always do), just pull out the top two battens and leave them out. Always keeps me from having issues in light wind.

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'79 H16 "Carmelita"

I used some silicone caulk in the batten caps to hold them in place, and if every I need to remove them, you can pull it hard and it will release. That was how the old caps were held on and it worked great until they disintegrated due to age.

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Steve
2017 Hobie 16 "Cayman" sails 114795
1985 & 1973? Hobie 14 "Sea & Ski"