Where to buy spinnaker material?

[Kelpie]

I put a small tear in the chute last year, the mother-in-law has kindly offered to sew it up but a patch will be required. I don't want to slap repair tape on it as it's too heavy. A quick glance online shows a wide range of different types on nylon, so I'm a bit confused now- different coatings etc.
TIA

 

[GrahamM376]

Try Profabrics/Pointnorth>co.uk - http://www.profabrics.co.uk/

 

[Kelpie]

Thanks! I see they have a dedicated boaty section. Just need to work out which weight of cloth now.
Also, is there any reason not to go for rip-stop? The spinnaker itself is not ripstop (as evidenced by the, um, rip...)

 

[GrahamM376]

Thanks! I see they have a dedicated boaty section. Just need to work out which weight of cloth now.
Also, is there any reason not to go for rip-stop? The spinnaker itself is not ripstop (as evidenced by the, um, rip...)

I can't help you there but, they're good with advice if you phone and may send you some samples to compare.

 

[blackdogsailing]

Many years ago I picked up a load of scrap material from a hot air baloon manufacturer in Bristol. Used some to repair the spinnaker and made a load of courtesy flags out of the rest ! (Antigua was a bitch !)
Chris

 

[r_h]

The spinnaker itself is not ripstop (as evidenced by the, um, rip...)

I strongly suspect the fabric is ripstop - the heavier yarns are not strong enough to stop every rip. This is especially true for older sails, where the fabric can lose a large part of its original strength.

 

[Kelpie]

I strongly suspect the fabric is ripstop - the heavier yarns are not strong enough to stop every rip. This is especially true for older sails, where the fabric can lose a large part of its original strength.

Doesn't rip-stop have a telltale checkered pattern?

 

[TQA]

You can get lightweight sticky spinnaker repair tape.

I have used this on it's own for the kind of repair you describe. I had a sewing machine but never needed to stitch around the edges.