Shrinking boltrope

[Danny Evers]

How do you fix this problem? I read where you remove the stitching on the rope at bottom of sail, but what next? Do you need to restitch after hoisting the sail? Is the one in the foot done the same way? Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions.

 

[Crazy Dave]

bite the bullet

unless you know how to repair sails, do not attempt and send it off to a sail loft. See if a local canvas maker like for awnings can do this. I doubt it but it is worth the try as they have the heavy duty machines to sew with.

 

[Nils Anderson]

More Halyard Tension

I had a shrunk bolt rope years ago on my Mac-26 and after installing a deck organizer was able to winch the halyard real tight, and got rid of the shrink.Noticing it slightly on my H260, I think the bolt rope is always shorter than the luff hem so it takes the halyard tension, not the hem.

 

[Ron Mehringer]

Stitching

Had the same problem when I bought my used 26 a few years ago. I was reluctant, but at the urging of another 26 owner I cut the stitching that secures the bolt rope to the sail material. It turned out to be easy to do w/o damaging the sail. I've always wondered if I should restitch it, but I haven't and all seems fine. Same with the others I know who did same.Ron Mehringerh26 Hydro-Therapy

 

[alan]

Check with someone who knows which...

...stiching to cut, the head or clew, I forgot and one is better than the other. A year after I cut both, the bolt rope was resewn by a sail loft. The guy said that if I had cut the proper end then it would not have to be resewn. alan

 

[Jeff Peltier]

I cut mine

about 4 years ago or one year after new and did not restitch it. No problems since, although this year, I am buying higher quality sails, as the original are getting tired. I assume yours are doyl sails, also.

 

[alan]

Clewless!

With respect to the below post I ment tack, not clew. alan

 

[Rob McLaughlin]

sailmaker

I agree with Crazy Dave. I got a local sailmaker to cut & resew mine VERY cheap. Although some guys have cut it & not resewn, I think that the halyard puts more tension on the dacron cloth itself, rather than letting the bolt rope take the tension. could lead to stretching of other seams in the sail, or worse, tearing.I would get some prices first.