Bob wrote:
A number of our sailors have complained that the more recent Sails from Hyde have riveted batten end stops in place of the Aquabatten screwed together end stops used on old Hyde sails and Dart 15 Association supplied sails. The riveted end stops make it difficult for the determined amateur (and many sailmakers) to repair the sail between the batten endstops and the bolt rope - which is always the first place to fail. I asked if they could go back to the Aguabatten end stops we all prefer, but I got the following answer:
"I think we have done what needs to be done here, the rivets will be in stock, replacement batten protectors will be in stock. So anyone that needs to replace their protectors having damaged their sail can do. The protector is the same used on all Hyde sails with mast luff battens in that format RS etc."
Separately, I have today found that 5mm diameter 10mm long Stainless steel bolts plus nuts work a treat. You can buy them in the Grafham Chandlery (Jonti) for about ?1.50 for a set of 4 which fixes one batten end stop. It avoids all the hassle of riveting without the proper press (once having drilled out the rivets)and means that the amateur can once again repair his own sail if he wants.
