Batten tension is critical in modern windsurfing. Resolve the lack of batten tension by tuning the entire set to correct the global profile and the overall performance of your sail. Creased sails don't work.
Tuning a windsurfing sail is crucial. In order to enjoy wind conditions to the fullest, it is important to check several features in a windsurfing sail.
Batten tension is one of them.
There's something wrong when you can't get a flat, tensioned profile in your sail.
Even if everything's perfect - boom, mast, outhaul, and downhaul - you might notice that the windsurf panels in your sail are loose.
Battens hold the key to solving the lack of shape, which affects handling and sailing control.
You'll turn and speed up faster when the correct tension is applied to each batten.
All battens work as a whole to sail performance but also have individual functions.
Fine-Tuning Battens 101
Do all battens need the same tension? No, each batten should be fine-tuned individually.
Let's do it:
- You should start adjusting the top batten by adding less tension;
- As you go down the sail, you can increase the applied tension;
- The last batten should remove the last traces of sail creases;
- If you find vertical creases or wrinkles, it means there's not enough batten tension;
From time to time, you should check the conditions of your windsurf battens.
Temperature and sailing activity, as well as the first rides with a new sail, may remove the optimal settings, so it's important to fine-tune each batten on a regular basis.
As wind hits a fine-tuned batten setup, you'll discover an increased level of performance in your windsurfing.
Learn how to remove and insert a windsurf batten.
Words by Luís MP | Founder of SurferToday.com