Full Batten Solutions:

Fully battened mainsails are one of the great advancements in sailmaking in the past few decades. They have been enthusiastically embraced by many sailors as their greater aerodynamic shape has come to be appreciated. Full battened mainsails have a downside, however, as they usually make mainsail slide jamming problems worse than a conventional main.

Most full batten systems force an aerodynamic shape into the sail by making the batten a bit longer than the batten pocket in the sail, thus pressing against the sailcloth at leech and luff. The resulting compression presses the track slide into the back of the mast, making jamming more likely.

In addition, the weight of full battens enhances the sailcloth's normal tendency to flake itself when not under halyard tension. The long battens tend to roll over on their sides, inducing tremendous twisting motion into the slide and jamming them against the sides of the mast track.

Battslide receptacles are free to articulate in all three dimensions.	Battslide #401 receptacle with #803 slide	Many Battslide receptacles can adjust batten tension at the mast

Schaefer's Battslide patented batten receptacles can solve all the problems of full-length battens. Because the Battslide receptacles articulate in all three dimensions, they allow the batten's forward end to move in any direction without transferring this motion to the track slide. Without the ability to tilt the slide upwards, cock it downwards, or twist it in the mast track, the slide is free to run with greatly reduced friction. The problems associated with full batten pressure against the mast are virtually eliminated.

Since the Battslide batten receptacles allow the batten to roll over on to its side without transferring any torque to the slide, the sail is free to flake itself effortlessly onto the boom. This makes reefing, lowering, and stowing a fully battened mainsail a breeze.

Battslide's patented full batten receptacles are available in several sizes for boats up to 200' LOA. Numerous sizes of either flat or round battens can be adapted to the Battslide receptacles and most sailmakers can quickly convert an existing fully battened mainsail to accept Battslide receptacles.

The Benefits of Battslide:

Don't shake your fist at that sticky mainsail. Consider the advantages of a smooth Schaefer Battslide® System.

• The Schaefer Battslide Recepticals and Intermediates use your existing mast track. There are no expensive track or cards to purchase and no holes to drill in your mast. Weight aloft is kept to a minimum.
• Installation is simple. The Schaefer Battslide systems are added only to the luff of your mainsail. They do not require trips aloft in a bosun's chair and there are no adapters to fit together.
• Schaefer systems are versatile. There are Battslide parts to fit most mainsails, whether they are battenless, have traditional or full length battens.
• Durable and reliable. All Battslide parts are made from the highest quality marine grade materials and require no maintenance. There are no ball bearings or rollers to fail and the Schaefer systems will not mar a painted mast. They carry Schaefer's full five-year warranty.

Schaefer has complete systems available with batten receptacles to fit almost every mast and track system on boats to 200 feet. Battslide receptacles are available for both flat and round battens in either adjustable or non-adjustable models.

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