Temporary sail repair?

Cope44 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

I have a small rip in my main sail at the top baton pocket. I am wondering if I can just sandwich it with some duct tape?
I plan on having it fixed by a pro, but I'm going out tomorrow and dont have time to fix it before then.
Here is the rip

The "bad" side

The "not as bad side"

One more

Thanks for looking.
Cope

I hope this is the right place for this? If not where would this type of thread belong?

LarryandSusanMacDonald · #2 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

There is available temporary sail repair tape which you can use in an emergency to get you back to port. I've had some on my sails for years.

Tape it and go sailing. Don't stress it if you can help it. (I'm a cruiser, not a racer - my usual comment when asked if I shouldn't trim the sails is, "Check the maintenance log. I think I trimmed them last Tuesday.")

So you racer sailors can take exception to this response, if you wish. I'll just keep sailing and drinking my rum, and set it down where I wish without fear that it will spill.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

Get the sail cloth repair tape at the chandlery... tape it on both sides... sew through the tape to reinforce it...

NCountry · #4 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

Had a similar tear last year on a batten pocket. Had some Dacron sail tape. I think I ordered it from West Marine. Was planning on replacing the main anyway so put the sail tape on both sides and went out anyway. It's a year later and still haven't replaced the main AND haven't had to retape where the tear is either. Don't know what they use for adhesive on that stuff but it last through wind, rain, snow, fog, accidental jibes, bad sail tack downs, inexperiences crew, birds, hosing down to clean the sail, 2 regattas and this spring we raised the sail at night a showed a movie on it when one of the local houseboaters had a dvd projector. (watched pirates of the caribbean). No one even noticed the tape on the sail.....get some sail tape and keep sailing. You'll probably wear out the rest of the sail before the sail tape comes loose.....

ckgreenman · #5 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

Just get some 200MPH tape like they use for quickie body repairs in NASCAR. You'll be fine.

Cope44 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

For living in a lake town., this place sucks for buying sailing supply's.

I think I may just use some tape I have left over from my last nascar race......

Thanks for the input folks.

Cope

ckgreenman · #7 (**permalink**) 09-12-2008

LOL. You must live on Lake Norman. hehehe