I have two tears in my jib about 1/4 of the way from the top that each run about 8-12" in from the leach. It happened when we were out in 30-35 kt winds. I have those round sail chafe protectors. The problem is they can get knocked and slide up exposing the spreader bar and rip your jib. I need to either secure them down or get the covers.
We are doing some recreational sailing over Christmas and I am wondering if any of you guys have a quick temporary fix for these tears? I dont have the time to take them to a sail repair shop.
Thanks.
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David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
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Short Term Sail Repair?
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Posted: Dec 17, 2011 - 08:21 AM
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Posted: Dec 17, 2011 - 09:29 AM
You really can't tape those those plastic donuts down, you want them to rotate. I don't bother with the covers for the spreader bars. Get hold of a couple rolls of heat resistant electrical tape, it comes in white, yellow or red. Wrap the ends of the bars, & lock them in place on the wire by wrapping tightly pulled tape in a sort of figure 8. Once you build it up a bit the ends of the bars are totally hidden. I used white for one side & yellow for the other this year, they both held up equally well against sun.
Short of sewing, which it doesn't sound like you have time for, you could try several overlapping layers of sail repair tape.
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Posted: Dec 17, 2011 - 03:33 PM
I have had clear sail tape and white Dacron sail tape. Both bought at west marine. The white is the superior product. -
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Posted: Dec 18, 2011 - 06:57 AM
An easy solution to keep those jib protectors down and allow them to rotate freely is to put a cable tie just above it on the diamond wire. So easy a caveman . . . .
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Philip
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Posted: Dec 18, 2011 - 08:32 AM
Get some sail repair tape and put a strip on each side of the tear. Stuff is very thin but amazingly strong.
It will definitely get you through some fun sailing. If it is torn through a single layer of dacron, sew it with
a regular machine and some uv thread for a permanent repair. Been there and done it.
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Pete Knapp
Schodack landing,NY
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Posted: Dec 18, 2011 - 09:53 AM
That is an excellent idea Philip, I think I will incorporate that next spring. I have never had one of the donuts "stick", they always fell back down. Until the day we pitchpoled, one got stuck & you need one bitchin long pole to reach it.
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Posted: Dec 19, 2011 - 10:45 AM
Great, thanks all. Sail Tape it is. Great idea Philip. I've had that doughnut stick a few times as well. My pole was not long enough, story of my life........
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David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
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Posted: Dec 19, 2011 - 12:39 PM
You can always use the trap lines to pull the boat on its side to get the donuts down. The other two options are shinnying up the pole (not) or dropping the mast. Laying it over is quick and easy if you have a few friends to help.
Regarding the tear in Jib leach, be careful to get proper tension. Not enough and it will flap like a buzz saw in a strong breeze. Too much and it will cup inward. Don't ask me how I know...
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Jeff R
'88 H18 "Jolly Mon"
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NE IN / SE MI
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Posted: Dec 21, 2011 - 07:58 AM
I cut a hole in a tennis ball (one on each spreader end), and used zip ties to hold it on end of the spreader.
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Jeff
Houston TX
1986 Hobie 18 Sail# 13031
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Posted: Dec 21, 2011 - 09:16 AM
i used the 'clear ultra strong sail repair tape' made by 'lifesafe'. here's their catalog.
http://www.lifesafedirect.com/images/2010_Marine_Catalogue.pdf
this stuff is super transparent.
to hold the 'donut' (sail chafe protector) down near the spreader and still allow it to spin, wrap the diamond wire with tape about 1/2" above the donut. make the wrap thick enough with enough turns so the donut won't move up and past it. works great.
*as an aside........when pulling my cat onto it's side, i use the main halyard instead of the trap wire cause it pulls from the top of the mast which makes it easier going down and back up. just make sure the other end is tied to the tramp or crossbeam!*
Edited by arch on Dec 21, 2011 - 09:23 AM.
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Posted: Dec 27, 2011 - 11:51 AM
Thanks all, I am (was) using the sail tape here at Navarre. Worked great. I had the jib covered with a jib sock, but when the wind was blowing 30 mph last night my bottom tie down on the sock came undone and it also rattled the main halyard aussie hook enough to unscrew it and it came loose as well!!
The bottom of the jib got exposed and beat itself up pretty bad in the wind. My clew is half torn off and now have a 3' horizontal tear from the leach forward - yikes! the sails are original with my '81 boat so it has been beyond time to replace them, but you know......
Tried to call Key Sailing but they are clsoed for the week. Anyone know where I can find some more tape around Navarre?
Bummed, but trying to limp by so we can sail some more, may just have to sail with only the main.
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David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
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Posted: Dec 27, 2011 - 02:10 PM
Call West Marine at (850) 244-9000 they have the sail tape. They are located in Ft Walton at the Uptown Station next to the Winn Dixie.
duck tape will work in a pinch.
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Philip
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Posted: Dec 27, 2011 - 02:27 PM
I've made some calls to folks in the Pensacola/Navarre area to see if there is a jib you could borrow for the week. Will call if I hear anything back.
Sounds like you really need a more permanent solution though.
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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Posted: Dec 27, 2011 - 09:57 PM
Thanks all! A gentleman who I have heard referred to as "Hobie Mike" is kindly lending me a jib from his stash! Also had a chance to meet Kirk of Key Sailing. He was nice enough to let me in his "closed" store to buy some sail repair tape and a furler line. Nice folks all!!
Would love to find a job down here doing anything so I could live where cat sailing is meant to be!
Damon, a more permanent solution is needed........the rips are too long and there is even an 8"+ size round hole in my jib window. I think its time to let her "sail on".
Edited by sailinagin on Dec 27, 2011 - 10:59 PM.
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David
Memphis, TN
'84 Hobie 18
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