Sewing Ripped sail

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

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I have managed to ripp my foresail; its only a straight ripp about 6 inches. What is the best way; self adhesive sail repair tape? or using a strip of sail cloth, stitched using heave duty needle?

Has anyone used the Davey Speedy stitcher Sewing Awl? any good?
 
I haven't used the Speedy Stitcher but I have been thinking of buying one.

Here is a demonstration of it:

http://www.sailrite.com/Speedy-Stitcher-Sewing-Awl-Kit

It does seeem a bit slow although I suppose you get faster with experience.

Another technique that a shoemaker showed me involves using two sail-needles inserted from opposite sides of the material. That produces a neat looking job, similar in apperance to what the Speedy Stitcher does.

You take one length of thread, put a needle on one end and push it through the material then add a needle to the other end and adjust the thread so you have an equal length each side, then start sewing from each side.
 
The sewing awls are ok but perhaps better on heavy fabric or leather. The needles are very stout and the finished project tends to look like Frankenstein's forehead. It would work though.
I would stick repair tape on both sides and sew through both. A sewing machine would be best.
 
doug748 said:
The sewing awls are ok but perhaps better on heavy fabric or leather. The needles are very stout and the finished project tends to look like Frankenstein's forehead. It would work though.
I would stick repair tape on both sides and sew through both. A sewing machine would be best.
Click to expand...

The needles supplied are heavy but can easily be replaced by thinner ones. And thinner thread can be used.
 
I got an additional fine needle for the Speedy Stitcher, which is not speedy at all. I used a fine sail thread, not the waxed string it is supplied with. It did a reasonable job, though if you are doing a zig-zag stitch, the tension of each thread has to be equalised and checked regularly on both sides, otherwise you end up with a sort of T-stitch on one side.
 
I used to use either the adhesive repair tape on both sides with some stitching or some sail cloth stuck on both sides and sewn. The sail cloth is only stuck on (clear bostik?) to make the sewing a lot easier.

I should add that the type of repair depends where the rip is, as some areas of the sail such as near the tack or foot are subject to heavy loads.
 
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Sail repairs

The sewing awl. I was inspired to make one which was fairly easy. A bit of brass rod with a hole in the end and locking screw to take a heavy sewing needle. The principle seems great. You push the needle and thread through the fabric you pull it back a bit to make a loop of thread. You then feed the other thread through the loop. It is like a sewing machine stitch.The trap is that there are 2 loops of thread and you must only select the loop behind your forward progress. If there is any twisting if the awl such that the correct loop is not so obvious and you go through the wrong loop you can not pull the thread out again to continue. I found this very frustrating.

Regarding the repair of the sail. The self adhesive tape I have used is for spinnacker repair and is quite thin fabric. I use a piece of ordinary sail cloth. I use a soldering iron to heat seal the edges to stop fraying. You can make a hem but this becomes bulky. Use 2 patches one each side or if you prefer just one patch but sew the torn edges down. I use a standard sewing machine but this can be hard if cloth is heavy or too many layers to sew through. Try to do a Zig zag over the edges of the patch or if you use straight stitch try to get it very close to the edge. And another lien of stitching further in. I use ordinary polyester thread. I can get a Gutterman upholstery thread which is heavier but the sewing machine complains.
it will always look like a repair but will extend the life of the jib a bit more. good luck olewill
 
Our boat has tan sails and until recently repair or new was not possible in the SE Med.
Had to do a lot of repairs myself, the main was 35 year old before it was a total loss and believe me, the sail has being used extensive.
Have learned. Stitcher is a perfect tool but for most repairs glueing a patch on both sides with Sikaflex or any other polyurethane kit is stronger without than with a stitching. The stitching actually makes the cloth weaker. Sikaflex ( The cheap one for construction ) stays flexible, glues like hell and is very UV resistant.
 
The adhesive spinnaker repair tape is very good. A bit stuck either side should make a satisfactory temporary repair.

A six inch tear should be well within the limits of a hand stitched repair and patching.

Check out the correct stitch for sewing the torn edges together, or patch it first and stitch them down to the patch.
Use zig-zag stitching. Go round once doing the zigs and then again doing the zags.

The Gutterman thread William recommends is very good.
 
Sail repair

Get some sticky backed sail cloth. Cut two equal size pieces. Faltten the sail on a smooth surface, pencil mark where you want the patch to go and carefully stick it down. Rub it with a smooth shaped solid object, something like a tobacco tin, to get it thoroughly stuck. Reverse sail and do the same the other side.

Provided no thick patches are around you can then sew around the edge with a domestic machine. Use a number 19 Jean needle, V69 UV resistant thread and a zig zg stitch. Such thread and materials are usually available from Ebay sellers.

Good luck.
 
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