Hey Gang, I took the sails off today because I knew they are in need of some repair and a good cleaning. When I removed the jib I noticed on the luff that the material in between the stiches was tearing in several places along the seam. I am not sure of how old the sails are. The PO owner told me they were on when he purchased the boat 5 years ago. Is this common or is the sail shot? I am planning on taking them to a local loft for repair and then trying to clean them myself in the spring. My original plan was to send them to Sail Care for everything, but if they need extensive repair I am not sure the repair and cleaning bill is in my budget. -- Jeremy
Sail condition
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sails
Try to enlarge the tears. If you can do so easily, the material is almost certainly UVed out and a new sail is probably in order. If it is pretty tough to enlarge the tears, the material is solid. I am suspicious that your sails is shot. It is not common to see what you describe. Generally, if a sail just developes a tear that is not a good sign. A healthy sail can be torn if it snags something or if it is subjected to extreme wind pressure, but to just tear under normal use is something that should not happen. Ask other sailors in your area for a reputable loft and they will asses your sail. An honest, local loft realizes that word of mouth is their best advertiser.
Try to enlarge the tears. If you can do so easily, the material is almost certainly UVed out and a new sail is probably in order. If it is pretty tough to enlarge the tears, the material is solid. I am suspicious that your sails is shot. It is not common to see what you describe. Generally, if a sail just developes a tear that is not a good sign. A healthy sail can be torn if it snags something or if it is subjected to extreme wind pressure, but to just tear under normal use is something that should not happen. Ask other sailors in your area for a reputable loft and they will asses your sail. An honest, local loft realizes that word of mouth is their best advertiser.
Take Them to a Loft
IMHO, a loft can probably asses the conditions of your sails better than anybody else can. If they are a trust-worthy loft then follow their recommendation. They may even cut you a deal to maintain and clean the sails.
IMHO, a loft can probably asses the conditions of your sails better than anybody else can. If they are a trust-worthy loft then follow their recommendation. They may even cut you a deal to maintain and clean the sails.
I wanted to have a used sail re-cut
to fit our last boat and the sail maker wouldn't even touch it. She showed my why: on the leech she was able to push her fingernail through one layer of the fabric with some but not much resistance. She gave me a piece of new Challenger sailcloth and I could hardly push a needle through it. I sighed, and put the sail back in the car.
to fit our last boat and the sail maker wouldn't even touch it. She showed my why: on the leech she was able to push her fingernail through one layer of the fabric with some but not much resistance. She gave me a piece of new Challenger sailcloth and I could hardly push a needle through it. I sighed, and put the sail back in the car.
Oh well....
I will try to get them to the sail loft asap so if needed I have all winter to look for a used or new replacement. Thanks, Jeremy
I will try to get them to the sail loft asap so if needed I have all winter to look for a used or new replacement. Thanks, Jeremy
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