shredded spin

[joeh]

hi all
i shredded my asymmetric over the weekend
it basically had its luff n leech tape torn from the sail
could i sew it back with a home sewing machine?


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[oldharry]

In theory if you have a decent machine, the right needle and correct thread - yes. In practice its extremely difficult to get the tensions between the luff tape and the sail material spot on with a domestic machine. We tried to attach a UV strip to a jib - it worked, although it was hard work, and the jib was never quite the same after.

If you (or your SWMBO) is exprienced with the machine, and it is powerful enough to work on the thickness of the material, then its worth having a go. Try a bit, see if it works, and if you arre not happy - take it to the sailmakers!

After all the round the world boys are doing sail repairs all the time down below - even in the southern ocean! OK they have proper sailmakers sewing machines - but how the heck to you do a neat and strong repair in those conditions?


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[qsiv]

Dont forget, they usually have an experienced sailmaker on board to drive the machine, and the accent is usually on strong rather than neat.

Personally - I wouldnt try - I'd give it to a loft you trust. If you mend it and it tears again it is less likely to be repairable.

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[Talbot]

One way is by using double sided tape to attach the two pieces and sewing through. This will help to stabilise the work so that you can sew it more accurately.

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[Capt_Marlinspike]

If you are using a domestic sewing machine you will need to get a heavy duty needle. I made some dodgers last year using a Jeans needle and that was OK upto 4 layers of canvas.

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[charles_reed]

Use sticky tape to locate the pieces and then sew.

Personally, unless a VERY small sail (like a dinghy), I'd trot along to someone with a decent size loft and borrow their gear (or ask them to do it).

Last spi repair I had done was the top transverse panel on a 70m2 GP which cost me only €100(£70) for a complete panel and the resewing (about 9m2 cloth and 10m sewing) so it's not an expensive job.

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