Batten cap adhesive??

What is the best adhesive to attach (Hobie and Trentech) leach and luff batten caps to fiberglass battens?

Years ago there used to be some great stuff that would bond to anything called Pliobond, but I haven't seen it in years.

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

Pretty sure we just use a spray on adhesive. The stuff was similar to Spray Mount used in graphics applications.

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

I attached mine with a big blob of clear silicone on the end of each batten, then pushed them on and wiped off the excess. Seems to hold them on pretty well.

On a side note. When I bought my boat, two of my battens had new hobie caps on them and the rest had no caps.....yea....I know......

I cheaped out and put the Trentec caps on them and don't think they look as durable as the hobie ones. We shall see. I broke on of the tentec caps in two trying to put it on a batten that I was too lazy to sand the old glue off of.

Reviving the thread -

Any other opinions?

A small amount of superglue should do the trick.

sm

I use the Hobie caps (w/two holes) so I can tie a keeper knot in the tail of the line. Then I use NO adhesive. If I ever break a cap I don't have to fiddle with removing the remaining (superglued!?!) broken piece, or sanding adhesive, off the batten. Glueing the caps (like I used to do) resulted in many a batten being lost in the drink before I noticed them dangling half way out the pocket. Had a false sense of security...hey, the cap's glued on, right? Well, that doesn't keep the batten or the cap attached to the sail

_________________
Sheet In...Max Out
www.fleet297.org
sailflatlands at gmail dot com

Do you use luff caps on the main battens?

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

Hobie mainsail battens are intended to be used with a luff cap as well as a leech cap (adjustment). If the luff end cap isn't firmly attached to the batten, you run the risk of having it come off inside the batten pocket if you ever have to remove a batten. A small amount of super glue does a good job of holding the cap on but you can still knock the cap off the end (with a block of wood and a hammer or work it loose with pliers) if you ever need to. It's not a bad idea to glue the leech cap on as well although not totally necessary.

After setting the batten tension and locking the line in the cleat, I always pass the line back under itself and pull it snug so it can't loosen. I've never had a problem when securing the battens this way. I would not suggest relying on just the cleat to hold the line. Also, make sure you put enough tension on the batten (remove the wrinkles) so it is held snugly in the sail.

sm

I started this thread because I picked up an older sail and had to get new caps. Unfortunately, as you say, the luff caps are a pain to remove from inside the pocket/protectors if they come off (a few have done so when removing a batten) so that is why I was looking for a better adhesive. I guess I'll try super glue.

_________________
Alan
'86 H16, Sail #89057

I use a small amount of superglue on the luff and nothing (except the stopper knot ala JEaton) on the leech. Both stay on, and leech is easy to get off for batten removal or cap replacement.

I've also found it helps to use good quality dacron line of the appropriate (don't know off hand what that is) diameter for the batten ties. Holds up well and grips in the jam cleat very well. I don't even the snug the line back under itself (ala srm). I know...I should...but I haven't had problems since I've been using the dacron line.

Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi

I used some of that E6000 epoxy type silicone and once there was proper set up time it seemed to harden just fine and I have not had any issues with the caps. Pretty inexpensive for a tube and you can buy it at most department or hardware type stores.