battenless

adjective

bat·​ten·​less ˈba-tᵊn-ləs 

of a ship's sail

: having no batten (see batten entry 2 sense 3a)

Several years ago battenless mainsails were popular. They were supposed to alleviate the problem of lost and broken battens and the frustration of battens getting caught on the shrouds.

—Jim Howard and Charles J. Doane, Handbook of Offshore Cruising, 2000

Some Mediterranean charter fleets have also moved to battenless mainsails, and find them more forgiving for less experienced sailors …

—Peter Nielsen, Sailpower: Trim and Techniques for Cruising Sailors, 2004

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

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