Specifications for headsail battens and compatibility with furling systems.
[!IMPORTANT]
Critical Difference from Mainsail: Headsail full-length battens have NO battcars or sliders. Battens are sewn directly into pockets without attachment hardware.
| Property | Specification |
|---|
| Length | Luff to leech (horizontal) |
| Attachment | NO battcars - sewn into pockets or receptacles like A303 |
| Purpose | Maximum shape control, roach support |
| Furling compatibility | Requires proper alignment, limited furling |
| Count | Rarely 100% full-batten. Typically top 1-2 only. |
Hardware:
- Receptacles: often uses Bainbridge A303 style (screw adjustment) which installs without mast sliders/cars.
- Connection: Floating luff or hank-on, no rigid link to forestay meant for cars.
Configuration:
- Most common on Self-Tacking Jibs (100% full batten).
- On standard Genoas, usually only the top 1-2 are full length to support the roach, with the rest being partial.
| Property | Specification |
|---|
| Length | Leech area only (20-40% of foot length) |
| Attachment | Sewn into pockets |
| Purpose | Leech flutter control |
| Furling compatibility | Compatible with all systems |
| Count | 3-5 battens typical |
Application:
- Cruising genoas (hank-on or furling)
- Leech stabilization without full shape control
- Universal compatibility
| Property | Specification |
|---|
| Orientation | Parallel to luff (vertical) |
| Position | Pocket opening at BOTTOM for drainage |
| Purpose | Shape control + furling compatibility |
| Furling compatibility | REQUIRED for furling systems |
| Count | 3-6 battens typical |
[!IMPORTANT]
Pocket Orientation: Vertical batten pockets MUST open from the bottom. This ensures gravity drains any water entering the pocket (preventing mildew/weight gain) and keeps the tensioner lower for access.
Application:
- All furling headsails (in-mast or forestay furling)
- Prevents batten stress/breakage during rolling
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Material | E-glass or S-glass fibers |
| Brands | RBS, Forespar, generic |
| Weight | Medium |
| Stiffness | Moderate, progressive flex |
| Cost | Low-medium |
| Lifespan | 5-7 years typical |
Typical Sizes:
- Width: 15-50mm
- Thickness: 3-8mm (tapered)
Application: Standard cruising headsails
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Material | Carbon fiber composite |
| Brands | RBS Carbon, C-Tech, custom laminators |
| Weight | Light |
| Stiffness | High, crisp response |
| Cost | High |
| Lifespan | 10+ years |
Typical Sizes:
- Width: 15-40mm
- Thickness: 2-6mm (tapered)
Application: Racing, performance cruising, weight-sensitive builds
| Property | Value |
|---|
| Material | Fiberglass + Carbon layers |
| Purpose | Balance of flex and strength |
| Cost | Medium-high |
Application: High-performance cruising
| Feature | Specification |
|---|
| Taper | Thick at luff, thin at leech |
| Draft position | Forward (30-40% back) |
| Application | General cruising |
| Feature | Specification |
|---|
| Taper | Thick at leech, thin at luff |
| Draft position | Aft (50-60% back) |
| Application | Reaching, off-wind performance |
| Feature | Specification |
|---|
| Taper | Uniform thickness |
| Draft position | Centered |
| Application | Specific design requirements |
| Type | Description | Application |
|---|
| Standard End Cap | Dome or low-profile cap | Cruising sails |
| Rocket Tensioner | Adjustable tensioner system | Racing, precise batten tension |
Rocket Tensioner Sizes (RBS/C-Tech):
- Small: 15-25mm batten width
- Medium: 25-40mm batten width
- Large: 40-50mm batten width
No Hardware Required - Battens terminate inside luff pocket, no battcars or receptacles.
Luff Pocket Construction:
- Reinforced luff pocket
- Batten slides into pocket from leech end
- Luff end sewn closed or tied off
| Type | Description | Construction | Application |
|---|
| Standard Pocket | Simple envelope | Single layer, open at leech | Cruising |
| Reinforced Pocket | Extra layers at stress points | 2-3 layers | Heavy weather, offshore |
| External Pocket | Sewn on sail surface | Visible pocket | Racing (easy batten removal) |
| Internal Pocket | Integrated into panel seams | Clean appearance | Performance cruising |
| Batten Width | Pocket Width | Clearance |
|---|
| 15-25mm | 20-30mm | 5mm minimum |
| 25-40mm | 35-50mm | 10mm recommended |
| 40-50mm | 55-65mm | 15mm recommended |
Chafe Protection:
- Taffeta patches at high-load areas (leech end)
- Double-layer construction for offshore
- UV-resistant thread (V92 or PTFE)
| Sail Type | Tension | Visual Check |
|---|
| Light air sails | Low | Slight wrinkles acceptable |
| All-purpose | Medium | Smooth panels, no hard creases |
| Heavy weather | High | Tight, no flutter |
| Method | Description | Application |
|---|
| Velcro | Hook-and-loop strap | Cruising, quick adjustment |
| Rocket Tensioner | Screw adjustment at leech | Racing, precise control |
| Fixed | No adjustment | Budget builds |
| Batten Type | Hank-On | Furling Headsail | Notes |
|---|
| Full-Length | ✅ Compatible | ❌ NOT COMPATIBLE | Full-battens prevent proper furling |
| Partial | ✅ Compatible | ⚠️ Limited compatibility | May cause uneven furling |
| Vertical | ✅ Compatible | ✅ REQUIRED | Only batten type for furling sails |
[!WARNING]
Furling Systems: Furling headsails can ONLY use vertical battens. Horizontal battens (full-length or partial) are incompatible with furling and will damage the sail.
| Sail Size (Luff Length) | Batten Width | Thickness Range | Model Code | Application |
|---|
| < 8m (26ft) | 20-25mm | 4-6mm | RBS EG-20 | Small headsails |
| 8-12m (26-39ft) | 25-35mm | 5-7mm | RBS EG-30 | Standard headsails |
| 12-16m (39-52ft) | 35-45mm | 6-8mm | RBS EG-40 | Large headsails |
| > 16m (52ft+) | 45-50mm | 7-10mm | RBS EG-50 | Superyacht headsails |
| Sail Size (Luff Length) | Batten Width | Thickness Range | Model Code | Application |
|---|
| < 8m (26ft) | 15-20mm | 3-4mm | RBS CF-15 | Racing, light headsails |
| 8-12m (26-39ft) | 20-30mm | 4-5mm | RBS CF-25 | Performance headsails |
| 12-16m (39-52ft) | 30-40mm | 5-6mm | RBS CF-35 | Large racing headsails |
| > 16m (52ft+) | 40-50mm | 6-8mm | RBS CF-45 | Superyacht racing |
| Position | Relative Stiffness | Purpose |
|---|
| Top batten | Softest | Light air shape |
| Middle battens | Medium | All-around performance |
| Bottom batten | Stiffest | Heavy air support |
| Conditions | Adjustment | Effect |
|---|
| Light air (< 10 kts) | Softer battens | Fuller shape, more draft |
| Medium air (10-18 kts) | Standard | Balanced shape |
| Heavy air (> 18 kts) | Stiffer battens | Flatter shape, less draft |
| Sail Area (m²) | Battens (Full/Partial) | Battens (Vertical) | Application |
|---|
| < 20 m² | 2-3 | 3-4 | Small boats |
| 20-40 m² | 3-4 | 4-5 | Standard cruising |
| 40-70 m² | 4-5 | 5-6 | Large yachts |
| > 70 m² | 5-6 | 6-7 | Superyachts |
| Component | Interval | Check For |
|---|
| Batten condition | Seasonal | Cracks, splinters, delamination |
| Pocket integrity | Seasonal | Chafe, seam failure, UV damage |
| End fittings | Annual | Cracks, corrosion |
| Material | Typical Lifespan | Signs of Wear |
|---|
| Fiberglass | 5-7 years | Splinters, loss of flex |
| Carbon | 10+ years | Delamination, cracks |
| Pockets | 3-5 years (UV exposed) | Thread degradation, tears |
| Rating System | Requirements |
|---|
| World Sailing | Batten count limits per class rules |
| IRC | Batten material affects rating |
| ORC | Measured batten specifications |
| One-Design | Class-specific batten rules |
Note: Always verify class rules for batten restrictions.