Hi Bill, Ash battens were standard before that magic stuff, fiberglass appeared. All you need is some ash stock, a sharp plane, and a bit of patience and you can produce your own battens. If you can go dumpster diving at your local marina, maybe you can find ash battens that the "bigger" boys have discarded in favor of the new and improved (? - and much more expensive 'glass ones). Then a bit of time in the shop with a sharp plane, and a back saw and you have a new set of battens made to your personal specifications. My big boat ash battens lasted me as long as I owned the boat - 26 years - and never broke in any of the weather we encountered. Ash is nice wood! Connie