Converting a headsail to hanks

[Goldie]

I'm looking to get hold of a strong wind jib, to fill the gap between the roller genoa really losing its shape and needing a storm jib - something around 155 sq ft and about 7oz cloth. I have been offered a sail about the right size and weight, but it's fited with a luff tape for a foil and I need hanks for the inner forestay. Is it feasible to just fit eyelets and piston hanks? How much reinforcement is required around the eyelets? Any hints or tips (or offers of a suitable hanked sail /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif) would be much appreciated.

 

[DJE]

Talk to Mark Flew at Wicor.

 

[Scarboroughsloop]

Seconded.

 

[Goldie]

DJE, ScarboroughSloop,

Thanks guys, I agree that talking to Mark would be one (easy) solution - it's just that I'd feel guilty trading on his knowledge and then (hopefully) doing the job myself. SWMBO has the necessary skills and equipment, it's just that modifying sails in this manner is new to both of us.

 

[vyv_cox]

I have done this but it's much easier to buy the replacement tape with the eyelets already in it. Remove the luff rope tape and sew the other one on. Unless you have a very good sewing machine it just sin't worth doing it yourself. I forget what mine cost but it wasn't a lot.

I think, but not certain, that putting eyelets into the luff rope tape would involve cutting holes in the sail, as the rope is very close to the sail material.

 

[Billjratt]

would it be asking too much of a wire-luffed sail flown loose?
Or, a wire-luffed sail with hanks (just to share the load).
I've seen hanks refurbished by simply folding a strip of stout sailcloth over the luff, stitching and punching for the eylet - not all the way up - just as patches where the hanks were, local reinforcement.

 

[William_H]

Hanks available here are made of nylon and clamp over the luff tape/ rope or wire and are attached with 2 self tapping screws. I have used these for years with no problems and would think the type attached to eyelets just too much trouble.
http://www.biasboating.com.au look for piston hanks cat 4331 4332 4333
or http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?item=47314&search123=
for a picture (1 oz dollar will cost you 43pence so hanks about 4squid each.
good luck olewill

 

[Goldie]

Thanks Bill. I don't fancy flying the sail loose luffed - especially as it will only be used from the top of F6. The method of attaching hanks is broadly what I had in mind, I just seek reassurance that I don't need to reinforce the luff or replace the tape (no wire luff).

 

[Goldie]

William, many thanks - that looks like a really good steer. Regards.

 

[temptress]

HI,

I did exactly this for the same reasons. You will need to add a 'bolt rope' or some such to the luff or the sail will stretch to breaking point. A roller sail is designed to go into a foil and you should to replace the luff tape with something that can take the horizontal strain.

I had a local sail maker convert my No 3 working jib to hanks for a very reasonable fee.

 

[Goldie]

Thank you very much - I feel a discusion with a sailmaker coming on after all ..... a bolt rope miht be a step too far for DIY.