Battens hitting back stay

[AirborneSF]

? My top battens are hitting my back stay. Nothing that I know of has changed, so how come all of a sudden they are catching on different tacks? Is the vang not tight enough? I have 'roller furling' on my 'head sail', I'm kinda lost. I know someone here can kelp, so help, lol. Thanks.

[Jeff_H]

Top battens hitting the backstay is the new normal as sails are being cut with a lot more roach than they used to be. The bigger roach is good for reaching and light air performance but all that you can do about it is add some sacrifical chafe gear on the batten pocket and look up at your backstay when you tack or jibe in light air, especially when the backstay is eased.

Jeff

[Minnewaska]

I've too often found that I just started noticing something that has actually been happening for some time, to not consider that possibility.

Has any rigging been adjusted, or is it possible it is adjusting itself (ie, a loose turnbuckle)? Did you restep the mast recently?

[AirborneSF]

Ya know, I don't "remember" them hitting before, but I'm guessing they were, and dummy me just didn't notice. Thanks so much for the replys, it really helps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dave.

[jackdale]

This is not uncommon with a high roach main. One option is a backstay whip.

[hellosailor]

Any chance that the battens have just shifted aft a bit? I've seen velcro closures on batten pockets kind of "roll" themselves back, so the batterns wind up shifting aft an inch or three. Shortly before the velcro lets go and the battens disappear forever.

You might check the sail design, or ask the loft, if that sail was SUPPOSED to clear the backstay or not. If it was designed to clear it--then yes, something has changed, trim, stretch, something. If it was designed with excess roach, then you just slept through the first act of the play.

[turbulicity]

Any chance of headstay getting loose? Does it happen only when the you are sailing with main only or with reefed jib?

[Rangernewell]

Hello friends..Another newebie question.The roach on my mainsail seams to get hung up on the rigging that runs from the top of my mast to the end of my boom. I was watching a video and saw the rigging was only connected when the mainsail was down, to hold up the end of the boom. Is this normal practic, it would definetly eliminate my problem of getting hung up if that cable was not there

[christyleigh]

That's the Topping Lift and usually there is some adjustment so that you can slack it when you have hoisted the Mail Sail since now that is what is holding up your boom - not the Topping Lift.

[Rangernewell]

Originally Posted by christyleigh

That's the Topping Lift and usually there is some adjustment so that you can slack it when you have hoisted the Mail Sail since now that is what is holding up your boom - not the Topping Lift.

Thanks so much for the info...That will solve my problem