Workshop: Repairing tube slats

Manuel Vogel

· 22.08.2013

Photo: Manuel Vogel

Workshop: Repairing tube slats

Tube battens are mainly used in camber sails and help to keep the centre of pressure more stable than conventional battens. This time we show you how to erase the traces of the last skid on your battens.

Photo: Manuel VogelFlexible until it breaks - tube slats are sensitive

Tube battens are usually made up of three parts - a thin, very flexible tube in the luff, a thick, less flexible tube in the centre section and a thinner end section.

The problem:Tube battens are sensitive - one crash or a little shorebreak and the batten is broken. Sail battens are always most stressed in the mast area, where the profile is deepest. If the batten breaks here, it can be patched up in a makeshift manner, but sooner or later it is advisable to replace the batten.

The material: - Sandpaper - Tape - Measuring tape - Saw - Superglue (e.g. Toolcraft Ropid 100; €4.90) - Remains of an old tube batten

Photo: Manuel VogelOli gives practical tips for repairing tube slats

Oli's tip:Always keep the remains of broken battens, the next repair job is sure to come.

1. first remove the broken slat. The batten tensioner and the end piece can be easily removed.

2. if the thick centre section is broken, Oli pushes the thin end of a second batten into the batten pocket, wedges it and uses it to pull out the broken piece. If the batten is badly splintered and cannot be pulled out in this way, the only thing that helps is a small cut through the batten pocket directly at the point of breakage.

3. measure the length of the original batten.

4. mask off both ends of the break with tape, saw off cleanly while constantly turning the batten ...

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Photo: Manuel Vogel

Manuel Vogel

Editor surf

Manuel Vogel, born in 1981, lives in Kiel and learned to windsurf at the age of six at his father's surf school. In 1997, he completed his training as a windsurfing instructor and worked for over 15 years as a windsurfing instructor in various centers, at Kiel University sports and in the coaching team of the “Young Guns” freestyle camps. He has been part of the surf test team since 2003. After completing his teaching degree in 2013, he followed his heart and started as editor of surf magazine for the test and riding technique sections. Since 2021, he has also been active in wingfoiling - mainly at his home spots on the Baltic Sea or in the waves of Denmark.

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Workshop: Repairing tube slats

Manuel Vogel

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