torn sail!!

[Chris Wicks]

Yesterday whilst hoisting the main sail a fold of sail material on the luff of the main got trapped on a reefing horn.... I didn't stop heaving quickly enough and managed to put a 3" tear in the sail....

I have some white repair tape (thanks Sunsail) and can locate some correct coloured sail cloth for a more permanent repair later. Bob at HM thinks copydex would work to stick on a patch of sail cloth. I may well bring the sail back to UK in winter for a decent repair but invite any comments or useful suggestions....

Funny this happens on the week I confessed an earlier mistake with Kaliope on this forum!!:eek:

[Dennis]

Hello Chris

Sorry about the sail problem. There is always something to attend to, it is the joy of boating!

You may be suffering the consequences of having such delightful sailing grounds (not sure that is the right word!). It could well be that your sail has suffered some UV degradation, they tear quite easily when that happens.

Mind you, I think I would tolerate a shortened sail life in order to put up with all that sun you have to suffer.

I am off to Kielder Water tomorrow, 98% cloud cover forecast, I hope that the wind is less than the 64mph experienced there on Monday.

Cheers

Dennis

CC19 #100 Mary Ann

[Chris Wicks]

Norma has very kindly sent me a sample of sail cloth (mine are North Sails) sufficient for a professional repair. So on my quick visit to Uk I called at Dolphin Sails at West Mersea yesterday. They gave me some black tape for a temporary repair and will do a proper job for me in the winter. As I always use a sail cover and have a sacrificial strip on the genoa the sails are (or were) like new after 5 busy seasons. Anyway great service from Norma and Dolphin sails!!

Chris