Can I repair my jib myself? plus happy picture

MaryRoseErie · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

Question same as topic... is it possible to re-sew a part of my jib that's come undone and flapping a little, or do I need a professional?

Also, I look WAAAAY to happy in this picture. I'm on the left.

MaryRoseErie · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

whoops for to add image

smackdaddy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

I've found that there's no such thing as "too happy" when you're sailing. Very nice MR.

TQA · #4 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaryRoseErie

Question same as topic... is it possible to re-sew a part of my jib that's come undone and flapping a little, or do I need a professional?

.

Yup

I am assuming that it is just the stitching that has let go. If it is a short repair say two or thre inches hand sewing is not difficult. Get UV resistant thread if you can.

If the fabric is torn get some stickyback sailcloth make a patch that overlaps the tear by 1-2 inches across the tear and 3 -4 inches along the tear. Sew around the edges.

Idealy you should use a zig zag stitch but stright works ok although will tear more easily From the size of the tiller I would guess we are talking a dinghy sail in that case a home sewing machine with a denim needle will do the job.

But if the sail is old the the thread may be rotten and all the seams may be ready to go. A quick pick at different places will tell you if this is the case.

tommays · #5 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

We do a good bit of sewing and find it better to pay the local north loft to go over the sail

WDS123 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

Can anyone repair a torn sail ?

That depends - if all you are doing is testifying a 5-12" section of a Dacron sail that had come undone - than sure DIY

If all you are doing is patching a 4" tear caused by a spreader or stanchion - they get out the sailcloth tape and patch away.

However - these would be normal wear and tear repairs, similar to putting a button back on a shirt. If a sail has any damage that is greater than,say, 24", then take it to a sailmaker.

MaryRoseErie · #7 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

It's actually an Oday25, not a dingy, I just have a crappy tiller. The seam is coming out, and it's gotten worse. Might be 2 feet now. I'll take a swing and it with the cross stitch and will take it to a sail-sewer if i need to. Thanks!

Sublime · #8 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

I decided to repair a torn out loop at the clew of my jib sail myself. After jabbing myself with a needle multiple times-once down to the bone and bending the needle (and yes, a needle for sail cloth and I'm more handy with a needle and thread than the average person), I took it to a sail loft. They did a good inspection and found that the entire luff was really close to needing to be resewn.

It was $75 for them to address the tack and clew loops and to restitch the luff. Not bad at all. Well worth the money to have professional eyes laid on it.

OtterGreen · #9 (**permalink**) 07-18-2011

is it the actual sail itself, or the sacrificial material ? if it is just the sacrificial material, just use some sailtape. im not that good at sewing so i wouldnt try doing it myself unless it was a do or die scenario.

centaursailor · #10 (**permalink**) 07-19-2011

Nice picture, whats not to be happy about.

I bought a sail sewing kit with a leather palm on line and have stitched up my jib in a couple of places.
The biggest repair was about a foot long were the stitching has unraveled on the UV strip. The cross stitch seems to work well and no problems since.
Safe sailing