on batten tensioners and batten end finishings...
Many types of batten tensioners are in use, the finishing of the batten pocket and the tensioner design varying from brand to brand.

Some brands cover the tensioner with the batten pocket, which can make the batten very difficult to remove.

OK, it is not often that the batten needs removal, in any case some battens are almost totally hidden inside the batten pocket.

Covering batten ends with the batten pocket requires the addition of abrasion patches so that the pocket is not damaged from wear.

A workable alternative to all of this is to simply expose the tensioner; stopping the pocket short of the sail end.

The result makes the removal of the batten much easier and is more effective against wear.

The moulded tensioner itself is better against wear than a sewn on vinyl patch.

Exposing the tensioner offers better wear protection, easier batten access and a lighter construction.

The Loft adds a webbing wear strip on the leech edge at the batten pocket rear end, then we finish all batten pockets with a plastic wear rivit on the left side.