Bolt-rope dissapearing up the luff.......

[Even Chance]

My No2 genny has deceded to part ways with the bolt rope in the luff, and its now about 2 foot back up inside. How do I get it back down again and re-sewn? Its now leaving a large lurk in the sail that must be comprimising performance, as the bottom 2 foot of the luff is free from the foil.

Ive tried scrunching it up and trying to work it back down, but with no luck. Any ideas?

 

[sailorman]

i would assume the rope has shrunk, it will need removal & replacing

 

[Even Chance]

i would assume the rope has shrunk, it will need removal & replacing

Keich, that doesnt sound very good. Tight Scot here that wont fork out for the repairs. Im a DIY kinda guy.

 

[charles_reed]

Keich, that doesnt sound very good. Tight Scot here that wont fork out for the repairs. Im a DIY kinda guy.

You'll need to unpick the whole thing and replace it totally, sewing it up afterwards. Even Scots have better things to do with their time than do all that by hand.

 

[alahol2]

Keich, that doesnt sound very good. Tight Scot here that wont fork out for the repairs. Im a DIY kinda guy.

Two options spring to mind, remove the rope entirely and replace with a luff tape of the correct size, or add a short piece of luff tape to just the last couple of feet. Both will require you to do some sewing. You may have a problem lining up a short bit of luff tape with the existing luff rope.
Luff tape is available from Kayospruce http://www.kayospruce.com/index.asp?selection=category&catref=Sail Accessories&InBox=Leech Line and Luff Tape&cct=5&TypeSearch= or probably from your local sail loft.

 

[winsbury]

Our last set of sails made by Edge sails for our Wayfarer dinghy was made with a slightly oversize bolt rope on the main. When I collected them it was explained that the rope will get shorter and that once it was close to the exact length I should tie a knot in to prevent it disappearing as yours has done. Seems strange that such a vital component is made from a shrinking material or perhaps its actually that the luff stretches once its been tensioned a few times.

 

[charles_reed]

Our last set of sails made by Edge sails for our Wayfarer dinghy was made with a slightly oversize bolt rope on the main. When I collected them it was explained that the rope will get shorter and that once it was close to the exact length I should tie a knot in to prevent it disappearing as yours has done. Seems strange that such a vital component is made from a shrinking material or perhaps its actually that the luff stretches once its been tensioned a few times.

The OP does not specify that it's his bolt rope from a hank-on jib, which has moved up the luff, or the luff tape which feeds into the grooved forestay. In either case to do the job properly it needs to be replaced - a small job for a sail-loft but a major challenge to someone without the necessary equipment. I'm afraid I'd assumed it was the luff tape as few boats, of any size, use a hank-on jib, nowadays.

 

[Fantasie 19]

Could you get it out with a splicing needle?? They're pretty long.... small hook on the end.....

http://www.bridgewatertackle.com/Gardner-Leadcore-Splicing-Needle_A1BVXV.aspx

 

[lpdsn]

Cost me £235 a couple of years ago to have the luff tape on the headsail replaced. Luff would be about 15m, so you should be able to get it for less.

 

[huldah]

One idea that I have not tried, but may work, is to get a thick walled metal tube that will slide up the luff until it reaches the luff rope. If necessary slide a second tube inside. Now tension the luff so it is dead straight. Slide a thin piece of piano wire up until it touches the bolt rope. Mark the wire, say 1/8" from bottom of tube. Heat wire and slide up until the mark is level with the end of the tube. Wait for it to cool.

Hopefully this will then enable you to pull the luff rope down.