How do you get those vertical battens in a furling main?

[Sand crab]

The topic of battens in a mast furling mainsail comes up occasionally. I've seen some pretty big sails of this type where the long battens could be 40+ feet. Do you put them in first and then hire a helicopter to install yor sail?

[Cheechako]

Good question.... they must load from the bottom? I have never seen them.... Had enough trouble with in mast furling dont think I woud want to have more to screw up! Do they somehow allow you to have some leech?

[minaret]

Vertical battens are kinda outta date for in-mast furling. These days they can build you a sail with inflatable horizontal battens instead. They're called AirBattens.
UK-Halsey - Sails

[Sand crab]

Let's see if this loads.
http://www.seldenmast.com/flipbook/d...ED987AD9A0261E

OK I just checked and it wouldn't load the way I wanted. Go to pages 100-101 and there is the sail with improved leech

[Sand crab]

Here's a guy putting them in from the bottom on a Moody 44.
S.V. Enterprise | …to boldly go
I Google imaged vertical battens and came up with a few hits like that one.