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Batten

A thin, stiff strip fitted to a sail to support its shape and control the leech.

Battens slide into pockets in the sail and resist unwanted folding and flutter. Short battens support the leech, while full-length battens extend from leech towards or to the luff and distribute loads across a larger part of the sail.

They may be wood, glass-reinforced plastic, carbon composite or another engineered material. Stiffness, taper, length and tension must suit the sail because an unsuitable or badly fitted batten can distort sail shape, chafe the pocket or damage fittings.

Interactive sailing diagram

Points of Sail Trainer

90° Beam Reach Port tack
Starboardtack
Porttack
Wind
No-Go Zone
0° 90° 180° 90°
Port tack Beam Reach
Holding course
Sail trim Eased halfway
Performance Fast and balanced
  • No-Go Zone 0° - 45°
  • Close-Hauled 45° - 60°
  • Close Reach 60° - 80°
  • Beam Reach 80° - 100°
  • Broad Reach 100° - 150°
  • Running 150° - 180°

Beam Reach

The wind is coming across the side of the boat. This is usually quick, stable, and easy to feel.