Battons/Sails

Ok, I've got another newby type question....

What type of string/rope do you use to secure the battens to the sail? Also, how tight do you tie them together? I assume it's fairly tight, but do you do it until it bends?

Sorry for the lame question...Thanks.

The batten tie line (string) is 1/12" low stretch polyester. Hobie part number RH112WHT. We us 18" for each batten (using the Hobie batten caps with two holes and a "V" jam cleat).

Batten tension is typically just enough to pull vertical wrinkles out of the sail / pocket. Too tight and the sail will be more trouble to "pop" the battens over in tacks and gybes.

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Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

In lighter wind it is nice to put a little more pocket in the main sail by more batten tension. Yes, you do have to 'pop' the sail at times, but it's a small price for the added performance.

Check out this web page for a good visual aid on how to tie off the battens. Click on sailboat on the left then scroll to the bottom and click on batten tie instructions. http://www.hobiecat.com/support/index.html

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'88 Nationals Blue
Hobie Alter Signature Model
Sail #11

Hobie Mirage Classic

I've lost a jib batten (they don't float) when it became completely untied and I wasn't paying attention. I usually tie a keeper knot (figure eight) in the batten tie after the jam cleat. If it comes uncleated, at least it will stay in the pocket and you won't lose your batten.

Thanks for the help and advice. That website provided a great visual aid.

Try to glue the batten caps to the battens it helps prevent loss of the batten

I tie large knot in the end of the line that will not go thru sail grommet and if the knot gets loose the batten will not fall out Keep a good eye on the line condition and go for the high dollar stuff a lost batten is a bummer

The battens on the hobie 16 really get beat up

Try batten hinges available at your local hobie dealer

Gary

Gary,

Thanks for the tip. I really don't want to have to dive in to save a batten.

It's a good idea to glue the luff-end batten cap/protector directly to the batten as well if it shows any sign of being lose. It can be a real pain fishing the cap out if you ever have it come off inside the batten pocket.

To keep the batten itself from comming lose while sailing, I always tuck the batten tie line back under itself after tensioning in the V-cleat of the batten cap (leech end) and pull it snug. This keeps the line held into the cleat. Don't rely on the V-cleat alone to hold the line otherwise it can come undone and you could damage your sail or lose a batten.

sm