FULL LENGTH BATTENS

North Sails Direct offers four different configurations for battens. The main purpose of these relatively narrow struts is to support roach, the sail area that lies outside a straight line drawn from the head to clew.

Leech Partial Battens Leech battens come standard on all North Sails Direct Mainsails. They project part way into the sail to add stability to the leech of the sail. Leech battens are found on many older boats and small boats. Leech Battens give the sailor a great deal of control over the shape of the sail.

Top Full Length Batten and three lower leech Battens Having the top batten full length and the three lower battens partial leech battens is a popular configuration for many racers. The top full batten works to project the leech of the sail and offers great control to the upper third portion of the sail. This configuration allows for easy shaping of the entire sail.

2+2 Batten Configuration The 2+2 batten configuration adds durability and performance to the sail. It adds durability by reducing flogging and by adding support to the sail fabric. It adds performance by projecting the leech and adding support to the top half of the sail. In comparison to the one full length batten configuration, the 2+2 has less of an ability to shape the entire sail by using sail controls and sail trim. This is an excellent configuration for cruisers who are looking to gain durability while not giving up the option to shape their sail for performance sailing.

Full Battens An entire full length batten configuration will add great durability and shape holding over the life of your sail. Full length battens support the entire leech of the sail and will reduce flogging by making the sail more rigid. Full length battens will allow you to more effectively use twist to depower the mainsail and can aid in reefing and flaking the mainsail. Full length battens do add weight to the mainsail and because the sail is more rigid it is a bit harder to shape, especially in lighter winds.