Bryan.

If I were to make the sail by using the shelf foot method, I think I would sew D-shaped batten pockets onto the lenses before assembling the sail, like David Tyler suggests.

I see 2-3 good arguments for this:

·         One can make proper gaps for the batten parrels and/or HK-parrels.

·         One can make the foreward batten pockets from a stronger, more chafe-resistant material, like pvc, as I do.

·         One can even make the foreward batten pockets wider so that the battens can be padded at the mast, to reduce noise.

Arne

Bryan,

You certainly get a better pocket than with David W's or Arne's methods, but I can't see any advantage or saving over simply sewing a pocket onto the lens - can you?

• Cut the shelf foot with extra depth in the 'vertical' dimension, centred on the chord; the amount being equal to the circumference of the batten, plus two seam allowances, plus a  cat's whisker.
• Slice the shelf foot in two, along the 'horizontal' axis.
• Overlap the two halves of the shelf, stitch together the edges, forming the batten pocket in the process.