Sail Top Batten

[paultp]

With my new sail I've received 3 top battens (which was a surprise!).

A thin whippy one
A medium one
One which is v stiff, thick at one end and thin at the other.

As I am thick at one end too, I wondered if someone could impart some knowledge on the subject of top battens.

Which one to use when?
What would be a start set up?
What sort of tension to have for different conditions?

Any other useful info that I haven't thought about yet is also welcome.

Ta
Paul

[Pie-eyed]

I would have a chat with Dick Hannaford as he will give you all the info you need to work one of his sails, he also appreciates user feedback.
Basically if you only intend to use one batten and never adjust it(like most people) then go for the tapered one which gives good shape in the majority of conditions.
Stiff battens flatten the top of the sail so you lose power and pointing ability.

[paultp]

I've had a chat with Richard now and very helpful he was, I shall try the various battens out this Sunday with a bit of luck and see what the effects are.

But he did end by saying that "everyone has their own opinions on top battens".

So I'd like to hear those opinions so I started this thread to try and stimulate some discussion on top batten theory.

Cheers
Paul

[paultp]

So I used the tapered one in the light winds at the nationals but it wouldn't set properly downwind. So I swapped it for the thin 50% one which worked just right.

That's all I know