Date: Thu, 8 Jun 1995 01:40:40 -1000 From: dlw@odi.com (Dan Weinreb) Message-Id: Organization: Object Design Inc., Burlington, MA Subject: Trouble inserting battens in Prism Eclipse I recently bought a Prism Eclipse. It comes with two battens, which you are supposed to insert when the wind is strong. The battens are supposed to go into these little passages sewn into the sail, parallel to the center spar. The passages are just two long strips of material, sewn along the long edges. I have tried inserting the battens, but I can't do it: I push and push, but they don't go in. I tried carefully probing around with narrow knitting needles, and as far as I can tell the problem is that there's some sort of sticky stuff in there, "gluing" the passage. The sticky stuff may simply be part of the material from which the passages are made. When I bought the kite, the salesman tried to show me how to insert the battens, but I don't think he was able to do it either. I probably should have discussed it with him then, but I didn't. My problem isn't really urgent, since having too much wind is the least of my problems around here, but someday I might need to use the battens. I was wondering whether anyone had had a similar experience with a Prism Eclipse or a similar kite and might have any advice. Thank you very much. = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Date: Mon, 12 Jun 1995 06:24:21 -1000 From: gilchgw@zoology.washington.edu (George W. Gilchrist) Message-Id: <3rhpnl$4t7@nntp4.u.washington.edu> Organization: University of Washington Subject: Re: Trouble inserting battens in Prism Eclipse In article , dlw@odi.com says... > >I recently bought a Prism Eclipse. It comes with two battens, which >you are supposed to insert when the wind is strong. The battens are >supposed to go into these little passages sewn into the sail, parallel >to the center spar. The passages are just two long strips of >material, sewn along the long edges. I have tried inserting the >battens, but I can't do it: I push and push, but they don't go in. I >tried carefully probing around with narrow knitting needles, and as >far as I can tell the problem is that there's some sort of sticky >stuff in there, "gluing" the passage. The sticky stuff may simply be >part of the material from which the passages are made. The Prism Eclipse is designed to be flown with the battens at all times, except in extremely low winds (when you really need to switch to a UL version with the battens in). Prism tapes all seams, so it is possible that somehow your kite has some tape where it should not. But let's make sure you have found the pockets before you consider returning the kite to the factory. The battens fit in pockets perpendicular to the leading edge about 3/4 of the way out toward the tips. I assume that you are trying to insert the batten into the black pocket near the tip on each wing, and are attempting to insert from the side of the kite facing you, just under the leading edge. Make sure that you are going into the pocket, not underneath it. If you have found the pockets, and they really are stuck shut, you should send the kite to Prism ASAP or demand a replacement from your dealer. The performance without the battens is really far below what you should get out of this kite. Cheers, George -- ============================== George W. Gilchrist gilchgw@zoology.washington.edu University of Washington Department of Zoology Box 351800 Seattle, WA 98l95-1800 = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =