Dealing with the batten pocket ties

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

I started a thread earlier about mizzen sheeting, but this is a different issue.

How do you guys deal with the batten pocket strings?  What kind of knots do you tie?  I once had to reduce sail area in a blast of wind and lost two battens in the process.  Been wondering if some kind of clips would be a better solution than string ties.  I also wonder how much air turbulence is created by the knots and string ends flying.

[Jeff MacDonald]

I don't know what's available on sails for the Core Sound boats. I imagine you can have the sailmaker do whatever you want. What's worked for me in the past are "self-closing" batten pockets. I.e., the pocket is a little bit longer than the batten and the slit for placing and removing the batten is an inch or two from the leech. You slide the batten into the pocket then work it out into the leech end of the pocket. Another variant of this is where the slit for loading the batten is in the leech but just above the end of the pocket so the batten goes in at a slight angle and is pushed down into the pocket. Here's a pic of the second type: http://www.flyingscot.com/graphics/rig8h.gif  Google isn't finding any pictures of the first type, but it's a little bit like putting a pen in a shirt pocket that has a flap.

Both of these types of batten pockets have worked very well for me.

[Peter HK]

I asked my sailmaker to fit the quick release velcro batten pockets. I wanted tracks and battens for performance yet have the option of rolling the sail on the mast for trailering. I've had these velcro batten retainers on a few boats - they work well. Just pull the string and the batten is released. You need a 6 inch stick to poke the velcro into the pocket. Only takes a second.

Cheers

Peter HK