As I was thinking about it (I own a Hobie 18 Magnum with Spinnaker

) What about tying a small diameter line through two short swim noodles and running the line through the sail head plate and down to each side of the first batten grommets. A short swim noodle on each side of the sail. Removable for racing but good for single handling any catamaran.
Maybe I should patent it,

cheap but functional.