I posted this on hobie's forums but didn't get an answer:(
There is a small rip along the luffrope area of the main. This rip is right at the point where the luff track meets the main, when the main is ALMOST fully raised. Needless to say that raising the main has turned into a huge production.
I tried using some semi-transparent sail repair tape. It looked like it was going to work but when feed into the luff track repeatedly, it would simply bunch up and make feeding the sail into the track that much more difficult. Now the luffrope is all sticky from the previous attempt at repair with the tape!
Does someone know of a sail repair shop close to Des Moines, IA, 50131, area code 515?
Does someone have a temp solution that will keep me on the water? Could I sew this myself until the end of the season?
Thanks.
I had this happen to me also. What I do is just have one person hold the main halyard and have the other person feed the ripped section through the sail feeder, once you get it through the little sail feeder, it shouldn't bunch up in the sail track. If it does bunch up, you could always cleat off the halyard and tip the boat over on her side to fix it. I haven't tried sewing it yet though, but this may be more practical especially if you are short on time.
Do you have that sail feeder attachment that I've heard was added to post 1990ish boats?
I've been soloing alot lately so getting it back to normal so I can raise it myself would be best:)