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torn genoa

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/22/2003 : 01:24:13

After work sailing in the strongest winds I've been out in - over 15 knots and gusting higher. It was really exciting, I nearly had the rail under and had the boat neaqrly round up into the wind a couple of times. My genoa was rolled up to about a 110, halyards tightened, I really wanted to tighten the outhaul and ease the traveller but I was too busy trying to tack out of the harbor single handed.

My genny was really flogging as I made the last tack and it tore about 1 inch inside where the UV cover (roller cover) is sewed on. 4 feet long tear near the bottom of the sail and another 1 foot long tear about halfway up. I have 3 hank on genoas I'll use for now but I am wondering about how to have this sail repaired and how to tell if it is worth fixing? It's not torn along the seams but right in the sailcloth.

My sailing friend said it's light cloth and probably shouldn't be used in winds over 10 knots. I want a roller sail that's a good all around cruising sail in light to medium winds (say 5 to 20 knots).

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 07:58:49

Hi Jim,

Sounds like a tough day sailing. The damage doesn't sound irrepairable though. Maybe have a sail loft rep take a look at it. If the sail is still serviceable, a couple hundred dollars for repair sure beats seven to nine hundred for a new sail.

If you decide to get a new sail, my advice for a roller furling genny would probably be a 135% sail made of 6oz dacron. That will be a good compromise and will work better for you in stronger breezes.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 09:38:02

It's hard to answer a question like this when we can't see the sail and when we only have minimal information, but to me, the question depends on whether the sailcloth is old and deteriorated from sun exposure, or whether it is still reasonably sound. If it is old, and if the tears are in areas where there is only one layer of sailcloth, I would buy a yard of 3 ounce sailcloth and sew a patch over both sides of each tear. You can do repairs like that with an ordinary sewing machine.

I have used my 22 year old sails in much stronger winds than you describe, without tearing them, so, the fact that yours tore in two separate places suggests that they are either sun-deteriorated, or that they snagged on an exposed sharp piece of hardware.

I would not spend much to repair a sail that is sun-deteriorated, but I would self-repair it and keep it for a spare. Even though I have bought a new mainsail and 150% genoa, I still use my old sails fairly frequently, and, if a friend blows out a sail, I can lend him my old one to keep him sailing until he can get a new one. If he damages my old sail, I don't consider it a big loss.

I agree with Bill that a 135% jib would be an excellent choice for all-around purposes. If you repair the old 150% jib, you can still use it in light air.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 10:17:40

I got out my hanked on sails and their fabric feels like a crisp new dollar. The torn genoa fabric feels like a bed sheet.

I'm 90% sure they did not snag on anything. The 4 foot tear is right at the bottom. The one foot tear is near the top. Neither is near the spreaders. The sail was flogging but not out of control. I did not expect to see these tears in these winds. Both tears are just a few inches inside the UV cover so I would think this part of the sail has the most exposure.

<img src="http://www.indiscipline.org/cat25/pictures/icon.jpg" border=0>Indiscipline 1978 FK #398

Edited by - JimB517 on 10/22/2003 10:21:00

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 10:32:11

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I got out my hanked on sails and their fabric feels like a crisp new dollar. The torn genoa fabric feels like a bed sheet.
I'm 90% sure they did not snag on anything. The 4 foot tear is right at the bottom. The one foot tear is near the top. Neither is near the spreaders. The sail was flogging but not out of control. I did not expect to see these tears in these winds. Both tears are just a few inches inside the UV cover so I would think this part of the sail has the most exposure.
JimB517<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

The advise on 135% as the magic number for a furlled sail is right on in my opinion. Also, 6oz; yep. As for the old sail, I would buy the peal and stick sailcloth and just use that, one side or both sides is your call. You need a new sail, those winds should not damage your equipment. New sails are expensive but as we all agree the CD sails are reasonable and good quality.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

Edited by - on

Douglas
Master Marine Consultant

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1595 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 12:41:46

I think the best path to take would be to take the sail into a sailmaker and have a survey done. They will know best if it is worth repairing the sail and or how bad the material is deteriorated. I have had all of the sails on Triska done. All were repairable at a fraction of the cost of new.

Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 13:17:23

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I think the best path to take would be to take the sail into a sailmaker and have a survey done.
Doug&Ruth
Triska (Alberg 29)
Tacoma Wa.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Your right.
Most of us lake sailors have no frame of reference for taking something to a sailmaker, they only exist on the web and on the telephone, their corporial existance has never been proven.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>
You all are so lucky to have chandleries and sailmakers and marinas, we have non of that, at least not by the standards that you are used to.

<img src="http://members.cox.net/fhopper/Catalina25/sigbow.jpg" border=0>Frank and Martha in Wichita KS. Lake Cheney

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 10/22/2003 : 15:29:29

Some sailmakers are very wary of expressing opinions on how deteriorated a sail is, or whether it is "repairable." Lawyers have them fearful that, if they say the sail is okay, you will go out in a storm in reliance on their assurance, have your sail blow out, and hold them responsible for loss of your boat or worse, because they told you wrong. Also, when you think about it, they have no idea how hard you will use or abuse your sails. If you can find a sailmaker who will give you an opinion, it will probably be very vague and not much help. However, if the sailmaker tells you the sail is shot, it probably is. It would be pretty hard to sue him after he told you the sail was bad.

Steve Milby "Captiva Wind" C-25 T/FK #2554

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