Genoa still possible to repair?

[JamieB]

Hello folks, I took off our 120% furling Genny to inspect what I thought was just a new UV strip repair. I’ve noticed however that there are multiple horizontal tears in the outer (2ft) leech of the sail (non-UV strip layer) itself. Do you think a repair is feasible? You will see from the photos that the rest of the sail is in fine fettle. Thank you

 

[thinwater]

The tears are in the sail, not the cover, correct?

The sail is toast. The UV cover failed to do its job. Thin, white UV covers are well known for this. Efficient and good looking, but not as protective as dark Sunbrella. The UV goes right through them as they age.

A Sunbrella cover, on the other hand, would probably have only required resitiching and the sail would be fine.

 

[William_H]

A sail maker will probably tell you it is beyond repair and quote a horendous price for a new replacement. Now if you plan on keeping the boat this might be the best option. However if you can not see a long future where you can get the value out of the new sail you may be able to get a sail maker to repair it.
I had a number 2 jib ripped front to back and sail maker said the material had deteriorated to weakness. The quote for a replacement represented about 40% of what I could hope to sell the boat for. (it is only 1 of 4 hank on that I carry) A friend at the club who fancies himself as a DIY sail maker replaced a panel for about 10% of replacement cost. So far the sail seems to work well and has stood up to some wind. So I am happy with that gamble. I keep thinking my sailing days are nearly done but have just embarked on another season of racing. ol'will

 

[KevinV]

Worst comes to worst you could always trim the damaged cloth off - how often do you use the full 120%?

 

[thinwater]

Worst comes to worst you could always trim the damaged cloth off - how often do you use the full 120%?

... Except the damage also includes the head, so the sail will be several feet shorter too. Quite a bit of reconstruction as well (head and clew).

I'd probably mend it with some tape and shop for a new sail. I've done plenty of sail repair and some re-cuts, but rotted cloth is rotten.

 

[fredrussell]

.

…I'd probably mend it with some tape and shop for a new sail…

Agree with this ^^^. If money’s tight though, there’s loads of second hand sails on eBay that will often be tired, but still useable and in better condition than your current one. Or better still, if your boat design has an owners group or club, join up and see if anyone has a retired sail taking up space in the garage you can buy.

 

[Leslie frank]

I had this problem. A sailmaker ran a 2ft wide strip of macron up the sail for me and it is still OK after 2 years... just putting off the inevitable of getting a new sail

 

[Supertramp]

Replace. Even if it still sets ok, you dont want to discover its compromised during a 25knt squall.

 

[ashtead]

You might find posting its dimensions or the boat type results in offers of secondhand sails by PM to you if you are prepared to collect etc.

 

[doug748]

Hello folks, I took off our 120% furling Genny to inspect what I thought was just a new UV strip repair. I’ve noticed however that there are multiple horizontal tears in the outer (2ft) leech of the sail (non-UV strip layer) itself. Do you think a repair is feasible? You will see from the photos that the rest of the sail is in fine fettle. Thank you

It does look as though the cloth is on it's way, probably u/v damage as thinwater has suggested. A sailmaker would probably quote for a patch and it may cost £300 or so. I would not bother though

Being a cheapskate I would stick with it for another couple of seasons and then treat the 300 quid as a discount against a new sail. I have tested old sails to destruction and they tend to tatter at the leach but remain usable to the bitter end. If you are setting off on ocean travel obviously repair or replace.

.

 

[JamieB]

Thanks for all your advice and ideas. I'm tending towards the idea of getting a sailmaker to cut down the sail, acknowledging that the this will be approx 1.3m short at the head. The reason I like this a. £ and b. we sail in Scotland and there are few days when I need 120% and had already been interested in a smaller, higher-aspect 'working' non-overlapping headsail. Has anyone done this before (UV strip area removed, cut back, new strip, leech line and new clew fitted)? Any advice on things to consider? Thank you.

 

[neil_s]

I had a mainsail cut down in that way for a Hilliard 8 tonner. It was fine - although I'm perhaps not a very good judge! I can vouch for the idea of a smaller headsail, though, I got Crusader to make me a working jib size head sail and the genny has stayed in it's bag ever since. If you use it on the roller furler, remember to fit a strop to the head, so that the halyard can take the head swivel to the top of the foil, otherwise you'll get a wrap!

 

[Refueler]

Thanks for all your advice and ideas. I'm tending towards the idea of getting a sailmaker to cut down the sail, acknowledging that the this will be approx 1.3m short at the head. The reason I like this a. £ and b. we sail in Scotland and there are few days when I need 120% and had already been interested in a smaller, higher-aspect 'working' non-overlapping headsail. Has anyone done this before (UV strip area removed, cut back, new strip, leech line and new clew fitted)? Any advice on things to consider? Thank you.

If you do it - which is IMHO a senmsible idea ... do not forget to add a tackline to the sail so that furling works same .. basically if you shorten luff by 1.3m - you need a 1.3m tackline added to head of sail to put the top swivel to correct point on the furling ..

 

[JamieB]

If you do it - which is IMHO a senmsible idea ... do not forget to add a tackline to the sail so that furling works same .. basically if you shorten luff by 1.3m - you need a 1.3m tackline added to head of sail to put the top swivel to correct point on the furling ..

Got it, that’s very helpful and I didn’t think of that - but makes complete sense. Thank you.

 

[Refueler]

Got it, that’s very helpful and I didn’t think of that - but makes complete sense. Thank you.

Tackline ... I use webbing myself ... is often the solution to many peoples halyard wrap ... but they fit diverters / doughnuts instead ...

 

[JamieB]

I had a mainsail cut down in that way for a Hilliard 8 tonner. It was fine - although I'm perhaps not a very good judge! I can vouch for the idea of a smaller headsail, though, I got Crusader to make me a working jib size head sail and the genny has stayed in it's bag ever since. If you use it on the roller furler, remember to fit a strop to the head, so that the halyard can take the head swivel to the top of the foil, otherwise you'll get a wrap!

That’s good to hear you’ve done it and it’s worked - thank you!

 

[Neeves]

but rotted cloth is rotten.

What he said.

If its rotten it will be rotten right through.

Winter is beckoning you - you just need a working jib, if that

Take the winter to find a sailmaker and get a new one with a better UV cover.

Stop agonising - its inevitable - get a new sail

 

[James_Calvert]

I had the original 150% Genoa on my Sadler 32 trimmed along the leach and foot when UV started to affect the exposed part. In those days the manufacturer claimed the fabric was UV resistant, so no sacrificial strip was there originally.

I kept the sail for about 20 years in total....I think it was the shape and stitching renewals that eventually convinced me to replace it.

 

[flaming]

Thanks for all your advice and ideas. I'm tending towards the idea of getting a sailmaker to cut down the sail, acknowledging that the this will be approx 1.3m short at the head. The reason I like this a. £ and b. we sail in Scotland and there are few days when I need 120% and had already been interested in a smaller, higher-aspect 'working' non-overlapping headsail. Has anyone done this before (UV strip area removed, cut back, new strip, leech line and new clew fitted)? Any advice on things to consider? Thank you.

Honestly I think the bill from a sailmaker to do this, especially with the reinforcement that would be needed in the head is simply throwing good money after bad. And it'll never be "quite right". And certainly not as cheap as you expect.

If you really want to keep using this sail, you'll probably be better off getting that leach repaired. I've seen worse brought back to life, though again you'll struggle to get the sort of shape you think you ought, due to the extra weight of the cloth that would be added to the leach to repair it.

As others have said, if budget is tight, look to the second hand market, facebook is a great source of sails. If budget is more generous get a new one.