Leech Battens Guide

by Flavio Formosa OneSails Technical Director

Thank you for choosing us for your new sail. This simple guide is meant to help you in fitting and tensioning its battens correctly, to make the most out of your sail and preserve its integrity for a long time. Please read carefully before installing the sail, and remember that your One Sails dealer is just a phone call away if you need assistance!

GENERAL RULES

  • Insert battens carefully, don’t force them!
  • If your battens are tapered, thinner side must always point forward regardless of insertion side
  • Do not exceed in tensioning battens: usually all that’s required is the batten sits in its pocket without moving
  • Whenever possible, release tension from the battens when you finish sailing, this will prolong the life of your sail!
  • Identify the batten pocket style on your sail. There are basically three standard systems, plus a few custom ones used on bigger yachts. If your system is not described in this guide, please refer to your OneSails dealer for further information

Elastic tensioner (rear loading)

“Rocket” tensioner (rear loading)

Velcro tensioner (rear loading)

Velcro tensioner (front loading)

1. ELASTIC TENSIONER (rear loading)

A. gently insert the batten’s soft end in the pocket slot at the leech

B. push the batten all the way in until it engages the elastic tensioner at the inboard edge

C. push the batten end past the pocket slot, and let it return and insert in the pocket’s leech end

2. ROCKET TENSIONER (rear loading)

A. gently insert the batten’s soft end in the pocket, then slide the black plastic tensioner onto its end as shown

B. push the batten all the way in

C. engage the retainer line integrated in the pocket around the tensioner end as shown

D. using a flathead screwdriver tension the batten until it just sits firmly in its pocket

3. VELCRO TENSIONER (rear loading)

A. gently insert the batten’s soft end in the pocket, above the velcro flap

B. push the batten all the way in, then feed the end of the velcro flap into the pocket

C. gently pointing the end of the batten feeder into the flap’s recess, push the flap fully in until the batten sits firmly inside its pocket

D. leave the line loop from the velcro flap outside, to be grabbed for extraction

4. VELCRO TENSIONER (front loading)

A. gently insert the batten’s hard end in the pocket, above the velcro flap

B. push the batten all the way in

C. fold the velcro flap over the batten tip, then pull tight and press down to secure

D. close the pocket protective cover and press down firmly

If in doubt or you need assistance please contact your friendly OneSails representative!

N.B. Not all the fittings and accessories depicted in this guide could be part of the standard dotation of the sail.