Sail Battens for Mac 21

[scottdr2]

I was just checking out the sails on a '83 MacGregor 21 I just bought and realized the sail battens are missing. These are the original sails (OK condition). Looks like it uses three 24" x 1 1/4" battens. Are these the correct size? Thanks

[James V]

Most battens come longer and you just cut them down with a saw and file/trim the edges. Make them a little long first. Idealy you would have enougjh just to push in and not so much slop as for them to work out. A narrow glass batten is OK. Wood needs to be wider.

[johnnyonspot]

Ditto on what James says. Virtually any chandler will be able to fix you up. I was in the same predicament as you and was able to easily procure new battens made of generic glass sawed to fit using a hacksaw. Tape was then wrapped around the ends of each batten to avoid chaffing the sail. I'd suggest just bringing your main into the chandler and having them do the measuring, cutting, etc. Should all be included in the price for the battens.

[Highlander]

Go to W/M or any other sail marine shop they have them in several sizes at a reasonable price I find that sail lofts tend to charge a bit more for their advice. cut them to fit the sail pocket length not all that hard !! then reinstall the rubber end caps back on the battens

Cheers John

[Highlander]

PS Put sail repair tape over the ends of the batten slot opening's to close them off , you'll loose less batens that way !!

Cheers John

[scottdr2]

Thanks guys, I'll work on them this week.

[dancing_bear]

West Marine has been out of the thin battens used on my Mac 25 for some time and they were about $6 each.

For about $12, and 20 minutes work, I made a whole bunch of battens out of wood trim, about 1/2" wide and 3/16" thick. I cut them to the desired length and rounded all the edges and ends with a small power sander. They are almost as flexible as the "real thing" and are much lighter in weight.

If you could get your hands on the sticks used in the bottom of room darkening shades, those would be even thinner and more flexible.

[Bawgy]

I took old yardsticks and cut them to the correct length (Built in Measurement) glassed over then with 3/4 glasss and painted them white. Perfect !!!

[Ivan Awfulitch]

I bought some batten stock from Sailrite for my X and cut them to fit. I also bought batten end caps which make them fit very snug with little chance of working lose. The batten stock was $1/foot and the end caps $.40 each. Note the X uses 5/8" wide stock, but they have many widths available, and ship in 1-2 days from Indiana.
http://www.sailrite.com