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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Small hole in sail

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/16/2010 : 16:33:37

I just washed the main and discovered a tiny hole about an inch in from the leech 1/3 of the way down from the head. It is about the size of a pin head. Is this something I should put some repair tape on? Any other suggestions?

Here is the sail drying. I used a concoction of Woolite and Vinegar suggested by a sail website and it worked nicely. 2 Tbs Woolite and 2 cups Vinegar in one gallon of water.

We cannot direct the winds but we can adjust our sails.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 10/16/2010 : 17:35:27

I assume you rinsed it very well afterward. 2 cups of vineger/gallon seems rather acidic.

As far as the pin hole is concerned, I think tape may be overkill. How about just a dab of some kind of fabric adhesive on both sides of the sail?????

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2010 : 08:17:59

Randy, I have used sail tape from WM on much larger tears and they are holding up great. Its and easy and inexpensive fix but sure local sail shop might have ideas.
Steve A

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2010 : 09:01:34

I found an area where some threads have broken and are unraveling so I think I'll take the sail to a local loft for repair and they can check out the hole too. I plan to replace the genny soon but would like the main to go a few more years so having a pro look it over makes sense.

John, I rinsed the sail extensively.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2010 : 19:32:29

You could also buy sail telltales. They come with adhesive patches. Then you could cover up the hole and at same time attach a telltale. So, instead of considering putting a band-aid on your hole/tear, you are actually making an improvement and installing telltales.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 04:11:05

I would either put sail tape on it, or sew a small patch over it. A patch should be sewn on with a zig zag stitch, with the stitches overlapping the perimeter of the patch, so the fabric around the edge of the patch doesn't unravel.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 06:06:17

The loft will probably tape it.

Edited by - on

calden
Navigator

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USA
194 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 06:21:09

If you tape it, cut the patch in a round shape. Corners tend to get caught on something and start the unraveling process. Neatly cut circles look more precise, too, as patches.

Carlos

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 08:00:14

Taking it to a sail loft can be surprisingly inexpensive. My main is old and on it's last leg. First I had a tear about 12 inches long at the foot by the leach, he fixed that and added an extra slug for support at the foot of the leach right by my outhaul for $40. A week later, we got hit by a gust and it literally tore my main sail in half and half way up. He was able to fix that for $20. $60 to keep sailing? These guys have earned my business, I will be buying my new main from them next season. If you're in the DFW contact Bill at Gus Sails. http://www.gussails.net/

If you look closely under the second set of numbers you can see the whiter strip where he made the repair in these pics, did some single handing this weekend.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 08:15:41

Hah! Good job Peter, milk that old sail!

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 08:24:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 Hah! Good job Peter, milk that old sail!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yeah, can't really race with it, but perfect for brews cruises.

I'm looking at campaigning my boat when I get the new main.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 19:50:24

My 150 has a couple of small holes slightly smaller than yours. They've been there since I bought the boat 3 years ago and haven't changed at all.

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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1314 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2010 : 21:03:08

Any idea what could have caused the small hole? Would it be age, weak spot, imperfection in the fabric, folding or caused in storage, scratched or penetrated by something sharp or a combination of things?

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2010 : 07:53:35

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by zeil
 

Any idea what could have caused the small hole? Would it be age, weak spot, imperfection in the fabric, folding or caused in storage, scratched or penetrated by something sharp or a combination of things?

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have several as well on both sails, only see them when the sun is behind the sail. Since I don't flake sails on the dock anymore I have no idea what could cause them.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2010 : 11:28:06

Found a much better picture of the repairs on my cell. Anything that looks white, the strip on the sail, all the work on the leech, that was all for just $20. Please don't make too much fun of my sail, it's next on the list.

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2010 : 11:34:53

I can't say anything about your main. Your repaired main looks much better than my blown out main. My main is in good but dirty condition expect that it's got a big pocket just above the boom where it's stretched out.

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skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2010 : 15:56:03

Peter,
What is that line running from head to clew on the leech? And does your sail have a single full batten?

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 10/19/2010 : 17:54:49

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skrenz
 Peter,
What is that line running from head to clew on the leech? And does your sail have a single full batten?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Are you referring to his topping lift, which appears to be adjustable using the lower part that runs through the block at the level of his first reef points? It's slack, and seems to be draped over a batten tip.

Edited by - on

glen
Captain

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359 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2010 : 09:36:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by GaryB
 expect that it's got a big pocket just above the boom where it's stretched out.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That sounds like a shelf. I have one in my main and use it down wind. Try using your outhaul to flatten the shelf

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 10/20/2010 : 12:20:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by skrenz
 Peter,
What is that line running from head to clew on the leech? And does your sail have a single full batten?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Are you referring to his topping lift, which appears to be adjustable using the lower part that runs through the block at the level of his first reef points? It's slack, and seems to be draped over a batten tip.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Exactly. The big white stripe is the strip of cloth he used to make the repair, I have standard battens.

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