Just got my NEW Calvert Square Top mainsail and am re-using the old battens but the new sail came with webbing and a buckle that I'm not sure what to do with. I am guessing I need to purchase something like the RBS Batten Tensioner that fits up into the pocket and trim all the battens accordingly (down) and then tighten up the straps.
WTF?

Second question is what is the thin line sewn into the leech that extends out the foot for? It's like the thickness of battening tensioning line. What does that attach to? What is it's purpose?

Thanks.
Greg

Picture two

You need to put a head on the battens, where you can thread the webbing trough. Then you can tension the webbing and trim batten tension. This is a common system on windsurfers..
Perhaps you should call Calvert and ask them for some fittings, or try Sailrite.com

The leech line is for trimming your sail. There is probably a small cleat or something you can secure it to. It lets you control your leech better, and is very common on larger boats. First time I have seen one on a fully battened square top for a beachcat tough.
If the leech start to flutter, you should tension the leech line enough to remove the flutter. Leave it by if it doesn't flutter. If Calvert got the luff curve right, you should not need it unless you downhaul max and really open the leech.


Interesting picture where the sail is lying flat on the ground. Looks like the draft is designed into the luff-curve.

I just got a new square top from calvert as well (at least they remembered to put the logo on your sail!). They actually sent battens with mine and you do need a "cap" on the end of the battens with that type of securing device. I am curious about what people think of this system as opposed to the traditional strings. seems simpler... more positive but certainly adds weight.
BTW.. I am a big fan of the leech line- more typically found on monohulls but it is a nice addition.

As per Rolf above.

Small cleat on the sail ringed:

Did you get the end caps as well as the battens with the new sail? What do they look like?
I've not found anything in Murrays or Sailrite that would look like it would accomodate the webbing to slide through.
My existing battens are like 1/2 inch tapered at one end. The pockets look to be able to accomodate much wider. What width batten did Dave C. provide with your sail?

I almost wrote in my first posting that I had only seen this leech tensioner in large monohulls but never in a cat sail before. New concept?

Greg

RBS or Sabre may have the batten caps. Would be surprised if Calvert did not. That style is similar to what windsurfers use. A good windsurfer sail should have them.

My most recent set of my sails used that style. Very easy to tension.

3 of 4 of my cat sails have leach lines. Hobie has had them on sails for years. Nice to have that adjustment as sails age and stretch.

Sail fast, Tom G

hey scoob, could you size or crop that image? I have a moderate-resolution monitor and it's a pain to have to side-scroll with my touch pad to read every line...

Greg.

The sail looks nice! Can we ask what fabric and cost? Is your boat a 6.0?

Dave

Yeah, I got the end caps with the battens. According to the murrays cat they aren't "racing battens." My old Smyth main had the same battens yours did and I actually thought about switching them out but decided against it (it seems like they don't necessarily require the tips). Anyway, write to Dave about it and he should help. I have heard good things about calvert- mainly from this site and I think he came through pretty good with my sail (but I am irked he didn't put the logo on it - sort of like buying a nice BMW or Merc and having them leave off the symbol - but maybe I am overstating it a little
Here is a pic...not a very good one, but ok I am taking it out tomorrow and will take a pic of the batten ends.
BTW- white pentex

If the cloth in a radial cut mainsail like that has stretched enough to warrant using the leech line, I would personally consider the sail only fit for cruising afterwards.
All sailcloth detoriate over time, but a radial cut sail should be more stable than a crosscut sail (like the Hobie 16 design). When the time comes to use the leech line on this sail, I guess the profile and draft position will be in the wrong position as well. Something to ask Calvert sails about if you contact them for some endfittings for the battens (I would like to hear their reasoning for installing a leech line on this sail)..


After this discussion, perhaps you could do a photo when hoisted as well. Preferably from behind, and from below upwards. Give it some mainsheet and downhaul before shooting (but get the endfittings for your battens first).

Personally, I prefer the usual tie-system over the velcro or webbing systems. When threaded right, it's so much easier to get the tension you want. Having one line in each hand, while pushing with both thumbs gives a powerful and excact method for tensioning. Threaded right, the tension locks the ends, so you have both hands free to tie the knot.

Sorry; edit time has passed. No can do..

You shorten your battens by cutting off a few inches of the back so you can wrap the strap around the back of them and through the buckle. No need for caps or anything. Then you just tighten the strap to create more batten tension - it's a great system although I had some issue with the strap getting fuzzy and wouldn't release from the buckle.

Dave,
Thanks for the kind word. It's 5.0 oz. Dacron. BRIGHT yellow. I paid $ 1050. The boat is a Nacra 5.5 SL.

Rolf,
Hope to take those pictures today but I cannot locate endcaps and the wind is non-existant anyway. Hopefully, this week before the lake freezes over. I will ask Dave about the leech line as well and post his answer. It's beautiful craftsmanship, by the way, in how this sail is put together.

Jake,
I can't see how you could use these battens and this strap and buckle system without endcaps. The width of the battens (1/2 inch) and the play in the pocket would allow easily for the batten to slip off the strap it seems to me. I would think you would have to have the strap go through a slot in the end cap to make the batten captive. I've been wrong before though!
Greg

I can vouch for Jake's advise. Trim the battens short enough that the strap wraps over the end, and tighten the strap/buckle. The strap will deform enough to wrap around the ends of the batten and hold it firmly. I've had a couple of mains with the same setup, and never lost a batten.

-Mike

Check with these guys for your style batten. I use tubular ones.

http://www.windance.com/default.asp?windance~shownewitem~EZ_TBCAP

Sail fast, Tom G

I agree with Jake. The strap will deform to make a pocket to hold the battens in place. Plus on mine, the pocket on the sail was sized for the battens so they didn't move.

+5 on Jake's advise. However the battens need to be trimmed so that not much is sticking out the end of the sail. Of course don't trim them so much that you can't get enough batten tension.

Mike Hill
www.stlouiscats.com

One of my sails, a Saintoge has this system. The battens do have caps similar to a windsurfer. While using it with out the caps will work I don't think you'll get any warranty service if batten wears through the strap. I think Mystere still uses this system on their new sails so you might have luck finding them there or just call Calvert and get the right thing.

Nothing like new sails. Enjoy!

Great point Mike, thanks. I have a call into Calvert.
I agree, nothing like new sails but I really made an error buying it now when I have to put the boat away for the winter. Going to make the winter very looooong. Nice to have something to look forward to though!

Thanks again
Greg