Broken battens - what am I doing wrong

[Riche]

I've broken the same batten in 2 consecutive outings - number 2 from the bottom and just below the boom.  The 1st time it broke just aft of the cam, and the 2nd just after the luff.  Not sure how it broke the 1st time but I saw it break the 2nd time during an uphaul in light winds.

What am I doing wrong  - any expert advice out there?

I'm on a North 7.3 with max DH and about 80% OH.

[PlaneSailin]

How is it being stored when not in use? Rolled up or rigged?  If it's being kept rigged, make sure it's not being left with too sharp a bend in the battens after downhaul has been released and boom removed.  Many a batten has met a slow death in this way.

[Riche]

I bought this 2nd hand so I don't know how it was kept previously, though the sail was in good condition when I bought it.  I kept it rigged and hung with DH and OH released.  The 2nd batten was newly installed and it broke while uphauling.

Any ideas?

[Ian]

What 7.3 North sail is it?

Does it have the cams with rollers on the ends or inside?

If its the former, the cams need to be popped off the mast if hanging rigged. If the latter, keep some out haul on the sail so that the battens do not bend so much.