Spinnaker Repairs?

[awol]

So the crew says "there's a big squall coming, boats are broaching all over the place" and the skipper (arrogant git) says "it's ok, Contessas don't broach"! Well, I was right, we didn't broach but the spinnaker folded as the wind hit , then filled and disintegrated with a loud bang.
It's only 25 years old, been repaired a couple of times after the local sailmaker condemned it (the repairs survived) and it looks like a winter's project to dismantle the thing, cut new panels to the existing patern and then sew new into the existing head, luff/foot tapes and clew/tack.
Has anyone been foolish enough to do this? And, if they did, what are the pitfalls and where did they source the material?
My wife says "buy a new one" but I'd rather spend a few quid on material and a lot of time for the satisfaction (or not!).

 

[EBoat126]

Sounds like it's beyond repair, whatever you sew the new bits onto will be the next bit to blow out. Time to go shopping me thinks.

 

[awol]

I was thinking of replacing all the panels and just keeping the corners and the tapes. All I have to do is source and price the material and thread (+ a hot knife cutter) and decide if it is worth the effort.

 

[fishermantwo]

The first thing to do is look at Ebay for a replacement. If you want to have a go at a repair just use an electric soldering iron to cut the material. Some double sided sticky tape. Ball point needle in your wife's sewing machine. The correct thread and way you go. don't spend up big, just try it first and see if you can hack it.