Sail Repair

[Rob19574]

Hi All -

On my Catalina 30 - my relatively new head sail (~5 yrs old) had the hem of the sail-cover come undo. So the leach edge where the sail-cover was sewn on - that hem cam un-done (about a 4 foot section).

My wife knows how to sew and has a machine - and is willing to do the repair for me. It will also be quicker then trying to get the sail to a sail maker. So my question is - what type of needle and thread do I need to use for this repair? I understand that the needle involved should fit a standard machine. Where would I be able to purchase the needle and thread...

Thanks and appreciate the advice here.

- Rob

 

[RichH]

You will need V-42 dacron sail thread, a BALL-POINT needle. If this is a 'home' sewing machine you will have some difficulty in 'setting up' the machine, especially thread tensions and will have set the machines 'foot tension' to maximum. For a home machine its usually best to 'lubricate' the thread by spraying on 'dry teflon lube' to the thread spool .... soaking the spool is best.
You can get the thread from a source such as www.sailrite.com. Your machines distributor/supplier can usually furnish the ball point needles suitable for V-42 thread. You must match the V42 with the proper needle (needle eye hole and 'needle 'thickness').

For such a repair its usually best to use a spray adhesive on the fabric first to lightly 'glue' the cover to the sail before sewing. .... also available at 'sailrite'. Many times if you choose a 'high bond' spray adhesive .... you dont need to do the stitching !!!! ... but that only lasts a season or two. If you buy such a spray adhesive be sure that the adhesive will stay 'clear' ... many of the 'headliner' adhesives eventually turn 'yellow' and will eventually show the yellowing through the cover material

For 'permanent' repair ---- This is an EASY, cheap and FAST repair for a sailmaker or canvas shop ... who has the 'right' sewing machine (and the right non-yellowing adhesive) to do the job. Home machines dont have the 'umpf' to do the stitching and you may wind up with a lot of 'birds-nests' and skipped stitching in the repair.

;-)

 

[COOL]

UV covers need to be sewn with V138 thread,
and a 130/21 or larger needle. The thread should be polyester
ideally with a UV inhibitor. If it is a stock Catalina sail, where the leech
tabling and UV cover are folded and sewn together with V92 thread
it most likely time to restitch the entire outside edge of the leech and
foot cover. Most home sewing machines will have a very difficult time
sewing a UV cover, especially near the reinforced corners at the head
and clew.

 

[rardiH36]

www.sailrite.com has sections with DIY repair tips including videos.

My home repairs have been on much (very much) older sails than your 5-year old new one. I've got time on my hands, so I'll give it a go. If I don't succeed, the fall-back is to act on what I've been looking for an excuse for ... finally get a new set of sails.

First time sail repair using your quite new sail is probably not the way to go. Taking to a professional will assure the desired result. If the UV cover is coming loose in one section, the rest may not be far behind. A sail maker or canvas shop can restich the whole length lickety split. And while the sail is all laid out on the sailmakers' floor, it can be quickly inspected for other areas that could benefit from bit of restitching/reinforcing.

RichH is right about the limitations of home sewing machines ... and I've got some experience to confirm. My wife's deluxe style singer is OK for "open field" areas with only 2-4 layers. But home sewing machines (depending on your model) most often don't have enough oomph and robustness to consistently get through the tough spots. Along edges where the fabric is been folded several times with quite a few layers of very heavy fabric, its a constant fight with needle jams in the fabric, bent needles, bird's nests of thread on the bottom side, and missed loops. Also the foot tension often isn't firm enough to keep feeding the thick fabric and bulky weight of the sail through the machine at a constant rate. It's hard to get a good looking result. I've seen a sailmaker doing some work. Undoubtedly lots of skill and experience involved with fabric handling technique and machine set-up. But also, the machine seems to just suck the fabric through ... zip-zip-zip.

Damage to a light duty and finely calibrated machine is a risk. One time, I sheared the teeth off one of the gears in my wife's much loved Singer. Its repaired, but she still cringes everytime I get it out for another boat project.

That said, www.sailrite.com has a tutorial page with tips to "trick" and modify a home machine for sail repair use.

The zig-zag setting is important with a home machine; set to its max gap = just less than 1/4" on our singer. With the large amount of fabric feed needed to accomplish each stitch, the home machine has a hard time keeping up.

If you do decide to DIY, you'll be working close to the leach edge. Be sure not to sew through the leach cord.

 

[Joe]

For the minor repair you're talking about.... it'd be cheaper to just take it to a local loft and have them resew it.... probably while you wait.

 

[Rob19574]

Thanks for the feedback here. I think the best route as suggested is to take down the sail and bring it in to a shop for repair. Do it right and be done with it.....

Thanks again - Rob

 

[dscribner]

Rob,

If it were a major repair, I'd say "Sail Loft" but since it's a simple hem job, any upholstery shop should be able to do this for you and will have the proper thread. Or try a costume shop and bring your own thread. My sister owns a costume shop in Lisbon Falls, Maine (yessuh!) and I'll be calling on her to redo all my hems and more once the docks come in.