CP19 Main Sail Battens

[russ1481]

My used 1987 CP19 did not come with any battens. Does anyone know where to purchase these or should I just make some out of some scrap lumber. I would prefer to purchase these and just slip them in. I haven't looked at the sail too closely. Do the batten pockets have springs in them like my old CP16 had to help hold the battens in place.

I will probably want to purchase a Genoa for this boat. Does anyone have any good sailmakers with patterns for the 19 and about how much would it cost? I have a Main, Jib and Spinaker. I haven't ever used a spinaker and am a little intimidated by this. Does anyone have any advice?

[mgoller]

Hi Russ,
You can go to a sail shop and get battens or order them on line.  You could also get some paint stir sticks from a paint store.  The wooden ones.  There should be elastic inside the pockets.  Push your battens in until they are long enough to tuck under the pocket flap.  Mark and cut.  They make a difference so do it.
I have an old original genoa for the 19 for the measurements if you need.  A good sail shop can look your model up to or they will have you measure your boat.  North sails had me measure the boat for the best fit.
The spinnaker.  Not that scary.  I run the sheets out and around everything and back to my aft cleats and through the eye of the cleat.  These are 1/4" lines.  I tie a figure 8 knot in the ends.  The knot will pull out of the cleat with a tug but not by accident.
I adjust the tack in for a closer reach and out for a broad reach.  Doesn't matter that much.
I pull the head all the way up.
Great fun for light to moderate winds.  A little frantic for heavier winds.  Start on a day where you can't make hull speed 5-7 knots of wind. 
This past weekend I anchored in shallow water anchored at the stern and flew the spinnaker.  My daughter (6) with a lifejacket would grab the sheet and the spinnker would almost pull her out of the water.  She went for rides on the life bouy tied off to the sheet.  it was like a big rubber band pulling her along the water.
That might be a good way to start.  Just anchor and fly the spinnaker.

[Craig Weis]

I know of one main sail with battens from the Ace Hardware store...
he used cheap and dirty yard sticks that the place was giving away.

At the All Sail Show was a fellow pushing aero dynamic battens!!!???. These things go into pockets sewn into the sail. What air is going to benefit or slide by easier when the batten is in the pocket? I don't get it.