• From: Stamford, CT. USA
  • Registered: 2009-07-17
  • Posts: 4

Topic: MS Titan 11.0 Batten Tension

I have just rigged up my brand new Titan 11.0 for the first time and have a few questions regarding batten tension.

I added tension to the lower four battens to remove wrinkles from the monofilm exactly as Phil demonstrates in the sail rigging video.  He mentions "not to be afraid to use a lot of batten tension" and "you're not going to break anything in the sail with too much batten tension".  After derigging the sail, I noticed that the three lower battens had enough tension that they retained some sail shape while laying flat on the ground.  Is this too much batten tension and does the sail get damaged when rolled and stored with the lower battens like this?

There are some subtle diagonal wrinkles radiating up from the tack between the two lower battens where the monifilm meets the Xply.  I suspect that this might be from a different mast bend (Powerex 75%) as I'm unable to tune these away with batten tension, downhaul, tack strap tension, or outhaul.  Not sure how big a deal this is, but any other suggestions to try that might cure this?

Thanks,
JohnK

JohnK
  • Registered: 2005-01-31
  • Posts: 190

Re: MS Titan 11.0 Batten Tension

Hi John - I agree with Phil, the battens can take a lot of tension. Usually I try to put on firm tension, then sail the sail and come back at the start of session #2 on a new sail and fine tune the batten tension a little bit more. But, it is o.k. to throw a lot of batten tension on straight out of the bag.

The diagonal wrinkles will not disappear with batten tension however. Our luff curve does distribute more curve lower in the sail and the Powerex curve, being stiffer in the lower half than we would like will result in those 'subtle' diagonals you are seeing. Some of those pull out under load on the water and since they are subtle should not be a worry.

  • From: Stamford, CT. USA
  • Registered: 2009-07-17
  • Posts: 4

Re: MS Titan 11.0 Batten Tension

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your response.  Good to know that adding lots of batten tension is OK.  I was more concerned with rolling up the sail with that battens under such tension that they were not laying flat.

Best Regards,
JohnK

JohnK
  • From: Maui, Hawaii, USA
  • Registered: 2005-01-31
  • Posts: 1,707

Re: MS Titan 11.0 Batten Tension

if you don't mind the small amount of time to lessen the tension, it's nice on your sail and mnakes the roll tighter. certainly can't do anything but good for the long term ease of use.

aloha
barry

Barry Spanier's Website