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Hobie Kayak Sail Boom Batten - Big Improvement
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Author:  Nifty [ Wed Jan 22, 2014 2:23 am ]
Post subject:  Hobie Kayak Sail Boom Batten - Big Improvement

I was never impressed with the set of the sail on our Oasis (been a sailor for years). I saw a few old posts about 'boom-battens' and decided that this was worth a try. I had a piece of fibreglass rod, about 3/16, and managed to thread it down inside the bottom hem of the sail. No modification to the sail or anything else, and friction is all that holds it in place. I just cannot believe the improvement on all points of sail - the sail is now a real driver and not just a decorative option. You can insert or remove the batten out on the water, where there is always a risk of dropping it overboard, but it is easier to do ashore. I intended to provide photos and a bit more detail but we got back just on dark after sailing in winds from about 12 knots down and I couldn't wait to report, so maybe tomorrow.
This option is so cheap, so effective, and completely non-intrusive, it should really be a standard part of the sail kit.

Author:  Jcanracer [ Wed Jan 22, 2014 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Kayak Sail Boom Batten - Big Improvement

wait, if you do this you cannot furl the sail though, right?

Author:  fusioneng [ Wed Jan 22, 2014 7:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Kayak Sail Boom Batten - Big Improvement

Jcanracer:
Actually if you slide in 1/8 fiberglass rod ( I just used kite rod that I bought at walmart (I bought a kite kit and stole the rods from it) into the trailing edge seam on the upper portion of the Hobie kayak sail it still furls just fine.

However you are correct adding fiberglass rod into the lower seam requires the rod be removed before furling the sail.

As an alternative to the fiberglass rod on the lower portion I have had pretty good success using a standard 1/2 inch wide steel tape measure (the kind that's 1/2 inch wide with a slight curvature (available at any hardware store). My 'used to be' 16 ft tape measure is now an 8 foot tape measure ( LOL).

In order to get the tape measure into the sail it requires sewing on a larger pocket along the bottom edge (which is actually pretty easy, and can be done by hand, or with a hot glue gun). To protect the tape measure from the salt water I just cover the steel tape measure with 3M packing tape, if you dip the end of each steel batton in epoxy (to make a smooth ball shape on the ends) it won't cut into the sail as it slides inside the pocket.
On the Hobie kayak sail it might require 2 separate tape battons, so it forms a () shape. This will furl and unfurl with no difficulty, and should provide a much better sail shape. Make sure you make the tape batton at least 2 inches shorter than the pocket so it can slide freely in the pocket, otherwise it will pop out the back of the pocket when you furl. It works best to cover each tape individually, then just slide the tapes one at a time into the pocket so they form a () shape.
Just food for thought
Bob

edit:
It's best to use a brand new tape measure (I think they are around $7 bucks at Home Depot) with no scratches on the special protective coating, and during construction try not to scratch the surface or the edges. Using an old scratched up all worn out one didn't work out so well. To cover with packing tape I just pulled a long piece of the 2 inch wide 3M packing tape, placed the batton in the middle and folded over one side then the other over the steel tape, trying not to create any bubbles in the mylar tape coating.

Here is a pic of my old Oasis (taken in and around around 2007) showing the sail furled with the stuff described above installed into the sail and the sail all furled up (at least I think I had all that stuff installed at that time this pic was taken, can't remember for sure) using a home made furler (Hobie now sells a nice furling system, which I recommend). I don't recommend some of the other contraptions shown in the photo, most didn't work out so well (LOL).
Image

Author:  Roadrunner [ Wed Jan 22, 2014 9:39 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Hobie Kayak Sail Boom Batten - Big Improvement

Spare Hobie standard sail batten works easily without any modification. Especially good on downwind points of sail -- prevents sail from curling around mast:
viewtopic.php?f=32&t=7439&p=35322&hilit=#p35322

You cannot furl with this in, but in light winds where it helps hold sail shape, you don't need to furl. Easily removed and stowed in the hull:
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=24244&p=104232&hilit=#p104232

Lots of good info if you have the patience to mine some of the old forum posts! 8)

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