Thanks, guys.
jim-doty, Good point. I didn't think that I might have the right battens, but not trimmed correctly. I guess I'm glad they're not all short.
srm, Once tentioned for light air according to the gauge recommendations I'm probably around 2 inches on some maybe a bit more. I'm using a 5:1 as shown in the parts catalog above the leach & luff batten caps as well as in the H18 assembly manual
http://static.hobiecat.com/digital_assets/H18%26SX_Manual.pdf, page 12. I think it's labeled 4:1 in the catalog, but it shows 5:1 if you count the passes. Maybe it also depends on if your other hand is against the batten or the sail. (Last pass wouldn't give you any advantage if your other hand was on the sail, but does if it's on the batten.) Even with this, it is fairly difficult to get some tentioned that much. Maybe if a gave up one pass I'd have more line to grip and I'd be better off than with the advantage. I'll have to try that tomorrow.
Thanks,
Rowdy