Sail Repair Tape

[Chip]

Captains,I have a small (3") tear in my mainsail and I've been told that using Sticky Back Dacron tape ($6.99 @ West Marine) is an effective and inexpensive way to make this minor repair as opposed to sewing the tear shut.Can anyone provide input as to the accuracy of this statement? Your help is greatly appreciated!Sincerely,Chip Langan"Nautical Rose"

 

[Gary Wyngarden]

Chip,I've used sail repair tape only as a temporary measure until I could get to my friendly sailmakers. I put the tape on both sides of the sail, and it held fine for the trip home which was only about a 20 mile sail. Hope this helps.Gary WyngardenS/V Shibumi H335

 

[LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners]

Eh

It works ok, as Gary said, for temporary fixes or, I would argue, for a very old sail that you're going to replace sooner rather than later. I used the tape on one of my sails and then sewed the tape onto the seam. That held forever and probably is still working just fine for whomever bought it. If you're looking long term, and the sail is in good shape otherwise, you might consider investing in having the whole thing restitched. LaDonna

 

[dave]

it depends

it depends on where the 3" tear is in the sail. Is it at a seam where the stitching failed or in the cloth?you can get a seam ripper and remove the whole panel and just replace that, or you can patch it with some dacron sail cloth.lots of options. I saw an article on a guy that sailed the east coast using a blue poly tarp for a sail and it was covered with duct tape.regardsdave

 

[scott]

why not

I've used sail tape for my old main when I blew out all four reefing points. It held for about 2 years. Though she didn't look nice it held. The biggest problem was that I only had access to my second reef. We are not all made of money, if you can afford it than repair/replace the sail, I didn't have that luxury for two years after I blew up my main so the tape held just fine.

 

[hp]

Sew Sew So?

I totally agree with LaDonna. If you are keeping the sail, stitch it up as soon as you can. Use eith V62 or V96 thread and the appropriate needles. You can do this in your standard home machine without any trouble. The tape will probably hold for a vey long time, but why not give it some added strength? While we are on the subject, you can do most of your own "Minor" repair on a standard Class 15 home style sewing machine. With a little for-thought you can get an awfully lot of sail through that little opening in the arm. If you are in the Houston area give me a ring and I'll stitch it for you on my sailmakers machine at no charge. Also, go to sailrite and search their FREE info page. You'll get lots of help there. Good Luck... Ron/KA5HZV