Understanding Roller Battens and the Options Available
Roller battens are a useful solution for sailors who want to maintain sail shape while still benefiting from the convenience of furling systems. They allow sailmakers to introduce some leech support and roach into a sail that must be rolled around a forestay or mast, helping the sail perform better upwind while still being able to furl. At Sanders Sails, we work with three primary roller batten manufacturers: RBS, C-Tech, and Rutgerson. Each offers a slightly different design philosophy, material construction, and price point. The right choice depends on the type of sailing you do, the size of the boat, and the level of performance you are looking to achieve. Before exploring these options, it is helpful to understand exactly what roller battens are and why they are used.
What Are Roller Battens?
Roller battens are specially designed battens used in roller-furling headsails. Unlike traditional battens, which are straight and rigid, roller battens are flexible and often tapered so that they can coil safely around the furling system when the sail is rolled away. Their primary purpose is to support the leech of the sail, helping maintain aerodynamic shape and reducing leech flutter while still allowing the sail to furl smoothly. Because the batten must bend around the furling foil, the materials and construction used are critical. Roller battens must be strong enough to support sail shape, but flexible enough to recover their designed profile once the sail is unfurled. Most roller battens are also supplied in a range of lengths and stiffness options, allowing the sailmaker to tune the sail profile depending on the sail size and intended use.
A Note on Compromise
While roller battens are an effective solution, they are ultimately a compromise in sail design. Wherever possible, our preference at Sanders is to use epoxy vertical battens aligned parallel with the luff, which allow sails to furl cleanly while maintaining excellent shape stability. This approach generally produces a more durable and higher-performing sail. However, certain sailing styles and sail-handling requirements make roller battens the better option. In particular; boats that regularly peel headsails during racing or need to drop and flake sails quickly on deck can benefit from the convenience roller battens offer. In these situations, roller battens provide a practical balance between performance and handling.
Roller Batten Options at Sanders Sails
RBS Roller Battens
RBS roller battens are one of the most widely used options in modern furling sails. They are produced using an advanced thermoplastic moulding process that integrates fiberglass reinforcement, creating a batten that is both lightweight and highly impact resistant. The battens are tapered along their length, allowing them to support the sail profile while still rolling smoothly around the furling system. RBS roller battens are available in several standard lengths and stiffness levels, allowing the sailmaker to fine-tune the sail’s leech support. To make identification simple, RBS battens are colour-coded according to stiffness. Lighter versions are typically used for cruising sails, while the heavier options are more suited to larger boats or racing applications where additional leech stability is required. For reliable furling performance, it is important that RBS roller battens are installed in the correct orientation. Each batten is marked to indicate which side must face inward when the sail is rolled, ensuring the batten coils in the correct direction.
C-Tech FlexiFurl Battens
C-Tech refers to their roller batten system as FlexiFurl, and they are designed with a strong focus on high-performance sailing. These battens are built from advanced composite materials, often incorporating glass and carbon fibres, which allows them to deliver very good stiffness while remaining lightweight. This construction enables the sail to carry more roach than many traditional furling designs while still furling efficiently. FlexiFurl battens are particularly popular in performance cruising and racing headsails, where maintaining an accurate sail profile is important for upwind speed. Another advantage of the C-Tech system is its protective outer construction. The batten core is enclosed within a durable sleeve that helps protect the sailcloth should the batten become damaged.
Rutgerson Roller Battens
Rutgerson roller battens represent a well-established and widely used solution for furling sails. Their design is based around a core made from curved stainless-steel strips, which provide the flexibility needed to coil around the furling system while still supporting the sail’s leech. Stainless steel offers excellent durability and resilience, making these battens particularly reliable in everyday cruising use. However, like all roller battens, they must be used within their design limits. If bent beyond their intended radius, the material may not fully recover its original shape. Rutgerson battens are therefore a solid and dependable option, particularly for cruising sailors looking for a robust and proven solution.
Choosing the Right Roller Batten
Selecting the correct roller batten depends on several factors, including the sail size, the boat’s furling system, and the style of sailing you intend to do. Cruising sailors often prioritise durability and reliability, while racing sailors may look for lighter battens with improved shape support. The furling diameter of the system also plays an important role, as each roller batten design has a recommended minimum roll diameter to ensure smooth operation. At Sanders, we consider all these factors when designing furling sails, ensuring the batten system works in harmony with the sail design and rig geometry.
The Sanders Approach
Every sail we design is a balance between performance, durability, and ease of handling. Roller battens are one of several tools we use to achieve that balance when furling systems are involved. By working with proven manufacturers such as RBS, C-Tech, and Rutgerson, we can offer solutions that suit everything from performance racing programmes to long-distance cruising yachts. As with any sail design decision, the key is selecting the system that best suits how you sail your boat.