![]() ![]() ![]() Laminate sails can vary greatly, and their yarn layout and construction is typically a bit more sophisticated and delicate than conventional sail cloths due to their Mylar construction. The patch is applied to the other side and once cured the sail is good to go. The new cloth should be as close as possible to the same weight, style, and yarn type if a clean repair is to be made. It is critical to match up the fibers because they act as load paths that take the strain and shock-loading the sail is subjected to while underway. Many cloths also have bias and scrim yarns in them. Warp fibers run with the length of the roll weft fibers are woven perpendicular to the warp yarns. However, it is essential to first remove the shape in the sail, pin the area flat, and orient the warp and weft fibers in the correct direction in relation to the area you will be replacing on the sail. If the window patch is executed as I’ve explained, it will not affect sail shape or strength. The new cloth is then positioned with the fibers in the correct orientation, and the old cloth cut out on the opposite side of the sail and the seams stitched. The torn cloth is reassembled using masking or insignia tape, and then the damaged area is pinned out flat and sectioned off with double-sided adhesive tape. Window patches is the more common approach with Dacron cloth and nylon spinnaker cloth than with laminate cloth and are usually done when there is significant damage. WINDOW PATCHESĪ window patch involves completely removing the torn or damaged area and replacing it with new cloth of the same type. The following descriptions will give you a look at the different types of patches used to repair specific damage to both cruising and racing sails and make them like new again. Some of the most common issues I see, such as torn or chafed areas, can be repaired with patches. Eric explains what goes into common patching repairs and how he makes sails as good as new.Ī lot of the repairs you’ll read about here can be avoided with regular inspections (Catch the wear before it needs a major fix!), but, at some point in your sail’s life, it will likely need repair for any number of reasons ranging from a nasty puff to crew error. Thankfully, with repair magicians like Quantum’s Eric Grigsby here, you don’t need to fret if a nasty storm or big breeze damages your sails. Mother Nature can wreak havoc on even the best sailing gear and equipment. ![]()
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