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Topic: Hole in Main Sail |
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Sailing Naked |
Posted: 27-May-07 16:05 |
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Hi guys, I've unfortunatly made hole in my main sail by falling onto it feet first ( not a clever thing to do!)Has anyone got any clever bodge job ideas of how to temporaly fix it (i thought Gaffar Tape) also am I right in thinkign that you should always try and avoid falling off the trappeeze onto the main sail, by either jumping out the back or round the front I'd just liek some ideas and a bit of advise, thanks!
Harry |
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Annie |
Posted: 27-May-07 18:29 |
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I've fallen through a main sail before think my trapeze hook contributed to the hole. Sometimes its very difficult not to fall forward particulary if you are trying to uncleate the jib in a gust (this usually makes me lean forward). I now try not to lean forward now and if I do fall on to the main I try and land spread eagled on my back so to spread the load, or if time jump clear of the sail. We took our sail to the sail maker. |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 28-May-07 08:12 |
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Do NOT jump forward as this is painful when you hit the shroud / mast / jib luff / space frame and also expensive when you fall through the jib you haven't uncleated (hence the capsize).
Jump backwards (over the daggerboard type backwards) or jump back over the helm and clear of the boom end.
Best thing is to uncleat jib before the boat gets into this situation. If capsize is iminent, then unhook and hold onto trapeze by handle then work your way down so you are holding onto metal loop, then just climb down onto daggerboard - much easier!
Pete |
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Sailing Naked |
Posted: 28-May-07 19:22 |
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thanks so much guys, Yeah I usualiy clear the boom out the back if i jump from the trappeze but i really liek the idea off un hook yourself and hold onto the trapeeze handel. anyway all your advise has been awesome. I just have oen more thign to ask, luckly I have a old main sail form the previous owner of the Buzz, so I can still sail. BUT I'd love to repair my main sail is there anything you guys can suggest like special sail mender or somthing  I know I coudl tkae it to a sail mender btu that takes alot of moeny I'd prefer if possible a alternate method but if you guys suggest the only way is to go to a boat menders then I'll of course go to one thnaks for alll your help.
Harry |
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Bryn n Can |
Posted: 29-May-07 11:13 |
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Hi,
My helm did the same when i let her crew.
The main problem was she was too high on the wire. Adding on to the other comments if you are trapezing correctly you should be flat out(scary!) so theoretically if the boat is on its side, you should be able to stand up straight on the gunwale still hooked in!?!
As far as repairing, there is sail tape you can pick up from any chandlerers,(which is not cheap!) but from our efforts it is very hard to get right as you have to clean it correctly and have it dry as a bone and have a large area to let the tape stick! and as soon as your on the water it comes straight off!!!
So the best option is take it to the nearest sail maker. We had a 'Candice' size hole in ours and they covered the hole up really well and reinforced some other crease lines for only £30. the only problem is its probably the busiest time for sail makers so expect a bit of a wait.
Hope this helps,
Bryn |
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Bob Ladell |
Posted: 29-May-07 13:38 |
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Two ways about this one to DIY
1 Use transparent mylar tape / sheet - get some nice and wide e.g. 4"
2 Use Viking glass reinforced parcel tape - a whole £4 a role from Viking Direct
Mylar tape will look the best but more expensive than the Viking tape. Sail makers use the mylar tape / sheet.
Cheers
Bob |
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Pete Lindley |
Posted: 30-May-07 00:37 |
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Or Silver Duc(k/t) tape for DIY shop.
* When you un hook, you hold onto the handle, but as the boat heels even further over, holding the handle will still pull you over and into the mainsail, so you start by holding the handle, then work your way down the rope adjuster bits until you are holding onto the metal ring you were hooked onto.
Pete |
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Mark Wilson |
Posted: 30-May-07 10:52 |
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When I sent Mark through the sail the first time last year we found the professional repairs were much stronger than the rest of the sail so the next time we just asked for a cheap and cheerful patch and nothing fancy which has held well so my advice is to ask for a repair that is appropriate to the sail and don't pay for a posh repair when a cheaper one will do. However next time I think I will go for a self repair, however Mark is very keen not to go through it again so does exactly what Pete suggests and unhooks early and hangs on to the trapeze, he also uncleats the jib early in heavy, gusty, shifty winds if it looks as if I am not depowering sufficiently or early enough.
I bought some spinnaker material and now do all my own patches to the spinnaker - not quite as good but much cheaper and quicker. With thinner material it is easy(ish) to do on a normal sewing machine.
Cheers
Jane |
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Tim |
Posted: 30-May-07 18:46 |
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If your helm doesn't capsize then it will never happen!! All this talk of standing on the gunnel and holding onto the ring is all very well but it all happens pretty fast usually, so my solution is just JUMP... |
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Stu B |
Posted: 31-May-07 11:30 |
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Cygnus sails at Kettering do superb repair jobs and do many repairs for Noble Marine, their web site is http://www.cygnus-sails.com/
Stuart.
Buzz 763. |
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Sailing Naked |
Posted: 08-Jun-07 10:48 |
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Bryn n Can you said that you got your sail repaired at £30 pounds thats great could I ask where you got it repaired and where are they located
Harry |
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