David Tyler wrote:

…If I used aluminium battens, I'd certainly want a doubling sleeve. The difficulty is finding a size that will fit…

or you wind some glass or carbon fibres around the tube where the hinges threaten to overload the structure…

I've used, not aluminium, but glassfibre tubes. They are pultruded, with generally longitudinal fibres, but they also have some diagonal fibres to discourage splitting. https://www.carbonfibreprofiles.com/ 

However, in way of the hinges, I've added a short extra sleeve of 12K carbon braid.

If I used aluminium battens, I'd certainly want a doubling sleeve. The difficulty is finding a size that will fit tightly over the batten tube, and some machining would probably be needed.

I now have to hand some photos of Weaverbird at the Kippford junket, and I've put a few of the more flattering ones here.

Good news -  today is going to be "first sail" day - and if all is well (cross fingers), it’ll go on for a week! I’ve watered ship and put some vittles aboard, almost everything is shipshape, there’s a light SE’ly, the weather is good for several days and I’m heading over to the Scottish coast.

Poor David - how frustrating for you.  People here in NZ can't believe me when I tell them that sailing from Morecambe Bay is a real commitment, each time you go out.  If you decided you've made a mistake and want to go back home, even if you could sail against the ebb, you'll be lucky if there's any harbour there when you get back!  I reckon the 2 - 3 metre tides we get around Godzone are perfect: enough to add interest and enable you to scrub the boat, but not enough seriously to disrupt things.  Though they can be pretty fast running in places.

Believe it or not, someone once told me - in all seriousness - that Morecambe Bay is a fabulous cruising ground.  However, for someone like you, David, who is prepared to make an effort, it is a fine base for Ireland, Scotland, Scilly, and many other places.