What is Sail Slides, Battens & Cars?
Sail slides are plastic or metal fittings that attach the luff or foot of the sail to the mast or boom track, allowing the sail to be raised and lowered smoothly. Battens are semi-rigid strips (fiberglass, carbon, or plastic) that fit into pockets across the sail to maintain shape and support the roach.
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What it is
Sail slides are plastic or metal fittings that attach the luff or foot of the sail to the mast or boom track, allowing the sail to be raised and lowered smoothly. Battens are semi-rigid strips (fiberglass, carbon, or plastic) that fit into pockets across the sail to maintain shape and support the roach. Batten cars are small wheeled carriages that attach a sail to the mast track, making sail hoisting and lowering easier than traditional slides.
What it does
Slides keep the sail attached to the spar while allowing smooth vertical movement during hoisting and lowering. They must be strong enough to handle loads but slide freely even under pressure. Battens stiffen the sail and allow designers to create more roach than would be possible with an unsupported leach. Full-length battens limit flogging when the sail luffs, making the boat quieter, extending sail life and improving sail shape and performance (especially in windy conditions). Batten cars use ball bearings to make full-battened sails easier to hoist and drop, particularly important on larger boats where friction would otherwise be unmanageable.
Why it matters
Failed or twisted slides can jam the sail in the track or detach entirely, making it impossible to raise or lower the sail at critical moments. Broken battens destroy sail shape and can puncture the sail fabric, causing expensive damage. On large boats with full-length battens, batten cars can reduce friction allowing the sail to be hoisted or lowered while under load. Properly functioning sail slides, battens, and cars make sail handling smoother and protect your expensive sails. Regular maintenance of these small components prevents major sail handling problems and extends the life of your sails.
General Maintenance
Inspect slides seasonally for cracks, wear and secure attachment to sail. Check that slides move smoothly in the track and lubricate the track with dry lubricant before each season or as necessary. Remove and inspect battens annually, checking for cracks or splinters and replacing if necessary. Verify batten pockets aren't excessively worn. For batten cars, check wheels for smooth rotation, bearings for wear, and attachment points for security. Lubricate batten car bearings annually or follow manufacturer recommendations. Adjust batten tension as recommended by a sail maker. Check track stops at head and tack to prevent slides from escaping.
Common Issues
- Plastic slides cracking and breaking from UV exposure
- Metal slides corroding and seizing in track
- Track becoming worn or corroded, preventing smooth slide movement
- Broken battens puncturing sail fabric
- Batten pockets wearing through at ends
- Battens too stiff, flexible, or incorrectly tensioned for sail design
- Slides pulling out of sail attachment webbing
- Insufficient track lubrication causing excessive friction
- Round slugs can get locked up due to twisting forces on the sail
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