Types of Batten
At Sanders Sails we work with three primary batten systems: Bluestreak, RBS, and Contract battens. Each has specific characteristics that make it suited to particular sail designs and sailing styles. Selecting the correct batten ensures the sail maintains its intended shape while balancing performance, durability, and practicality.
Bluestreak Battens
Bluestreak battens are a high-quality composite batten widely used in performance cruising sails and full-length horizontal mainsail applications. At Sanders we primarily use the non-tapered Bluestreak range, which provides consistent stiffness along the length of the batten and excellent support for the sail’s designed profile.
These battens are particularly well suited to full-length mainsails on performance cruising yachts, where maintaining sail shape and leech support is critical across a wide range of conditions. Their standardised widths allow us to build consistent batten pockets in the loft while maintaining excellent reliability and ease of servicing.
Bluestreak battens offer a strong balance between weight, stiffness, and durability, making them a dependable solution for many modern cruising sails.
RBS Battens
RBS battens sit at the premium end of the market, offering exceptional strength-to-weight performance and long-term durability. Manufactured using a specially formulated epoxy matrix, these battens combine high stiffness with excellent resilience, allowing them to maintain sail shape under sustained loads.
We use RBS in both tapered leech battens and full-length compression formats, depending on the sail design. Their tapered leech battens feature softer tips, allowing the sail to respond smoothly in changing wind conditions, while the compression battens used in full-batten mainsails provide greater structural support and stability.
RBS battens are commonly found in performance cruising and racing sails, where maintaining accurate sail shape and durability over time is particularly important.
Contract Battens
Contract battens are a practical and cost-effective solution widely used in cruising sails and club-level performance applications. These are flat, non-tapered battens manufactured from fibreglass or vinylester and supplied in long rolls or by the metre, allowing them to be cut to the exact length required during sail production.
One of the key advantages of contract battens is their ability to be rolled tightly for transport, making them particularly useful for sails that are shipped long distances or delivered internationally.
Contract battens are typically supplied in a 30mm wide flat profile with three thickness options — 3.1mm, 4.4mm, and 5.2mm — allowing us to select the appropriate stiffness for each sail. Due to the exposed fibres on the edges, we recommend wearing gloves when handling or fitting these battens.
They are a reliable and durable choice for many cruising yachts where practicality and ease of replacement are important considerations.
Need any further support and advice on battens? Get in touch with the Sanders team, we’d love to hear from you!
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